Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

[brother chris]

Hi all,
A friend of mine has a Mazda 323 hatchback (not sure what year it is though). She wants to sell it to me, but all it does it turns over and over and does not start.
I checked the spark plugs for spark and there is none. Where do I go from here...how can I tell if it is the distributor or ????
She has the exact same car that comes with it, as a parts car. So I can take any part off and try to figure out why there is no spark.

I only have 6 days to figure this out because the vehicle I am using now, has to be given back this monday.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
B.C.

 

[jasonh]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

I had a Honda Civic (1994) that did the same thing. Turned out it was an "ignitor". It was something inside the distributor. Since it was under warranty at the time, I did not personally replace it. I just remember without that there was no spark.

May be worth checking on.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

Thanks Jason.
I'm going over to my friends house tonight. The distributor cap is the first I am going to check.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

While you have the cap off spin the engine over and see if the rotor turns. It could have a broken timing belt.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

While you have the cap off spin the engine over and see if the rotor turns. It could have a broken timing belt.

Thats what i was thinking.

 

[Rev.]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

its usually the ignitor inside the distributor, don't bother, just pull the whole distributor out of the other car and stick in it, usually a 15 minute job. should fire right up.

 

[rwise]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

I had a 323, the module in the distributor is the problem, the replacement module will not last long. However you can get one (distributor) from a salvage for $25-$100 (US) and that will hold up (if the module was not rreplaced in it). As stated above very easy to change out the whole thing!
(ford/mercury/tracer is a 323 (most often called tracer))

 

[darrklim2]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

its usually the ignitor inside the distributor, don't bother, just pull the whole distributor out of the other car and stick in it, usually a 15 minute job. should fire right up.

Very easy if you know what your doing and pay attention. Be very careful to note the position of the rotor to be sure that you get the new/used one in the right position otherwise your timing will be messed up and it will run like crap(if at all). Not trying to scare you but this is something that needed to be said.

 

[Rev.]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

correct me if i'm wrong, but if i remember correctly the rotor will only go one way. even if you take the distributor out the is a angled notch that will only go back in one way, not like chevy or ford.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

I had a 323 as well with the same problem.
However, if I waited 5-10 minutes, it would cure itself and run for another unspecified length of time before it quit altogether.

The part was inside the distributor cap under the rotor. I want to think they called it the pickup versus the ignitor but it was under the rotor.

Was way easier to just change that then mess around pulling the entire distributor.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

correct me if i'm wrong, but if i remember correctly the rotor will only go one way. even if you take the distributor out the is a angled notch that will only go back in one way, not like chevy or ford.

Yep.....It's fool proof.

 

[darrklim2]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

correct me if i'm wrong, but if i remember correctly the rotor will only go one way. even if you take the distributor out the is a angled notch that will only go back in one way, not like chevy or ford.

You may be right, I have never worked on a mazda but I was just speaking from experience with changing distributors.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

Thanks for the tips fellas.
After I loosened the screws and went to take the distributor cap off, I noticed that the middle wire from the distributor was not even connected.
I should have noticed that....I did check the wires on the distributor cap and they were tight and I checked the spark plug wires, but never checked to see if the middle one was hooked up.
So I put it back together and turned it over....and she fired up no problem.
After I told her how I got it started, she talked to her boyfriend (who just left for a vacation, last week).....turns out he pulled the wire off so the car would not get stolen. He pulled the wire off just enough so you couldn't even tell it was disconnected.....argh!!!
Sure wish I would have known that a couple days ago when I was trying to figure out why it would not start.
Thanks for the help though...I do appreciate it.
Brother Chris.

 

[Rev.]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

guess no one ever thought to ask you if the coil wire was on, DUH. guess everyone including me thought you may have checked.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

I did check it, but I only checked the coil wire on the end on the cap, not the other end of it. My bad....sorry.
Hey, at least it running now! I'm much happier.

Cheers

 

[Rev.]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

we're glad your happy, but, it makes those who thought we knew what we were talking about, look like total idiots, lol.

 

[jimr]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

we're glad your happy, but, it makes those who thought we knew what we were talking about, look like total idiots, lol.

Hey even the pros overlook stuff from time to time.

 

[Rev.]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

yep we do, sometimes even the common sense stuff!

 

[rwise]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

wish I could get away with no cost repairs those 323's go and go!

 

[dolluper]

Re: Mazda 323...turns over, but no spark

Hummm at last I came first.....at first I came last ....always check the coil first