1994 Mazda MX3, fuel pump safety, ran out of gas, wont start

D3XD3X

MEMBER
1994 MAZDA MX3
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
158 MILES

I ran out of gas today in my 94 mazda mx3 (1.6) after pouring 1/4 of a tank of gas in, I tried to start it and it wouldn't start. I thought maybe it was due to incline, nope. I can hear the fuel pump. It acts like it wants to turn over completely but stops. Someone said something about a fuel pump safety switch but I cannot locate it. We also sprayed starter fluid and it still wouldn't start, but it was at this point it seemed to try. Any ideas? I check the plugs for a valve seal leak, battery seems ok other than draining from trying to start, but I continued to keep it charged during troubleshooting.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do below to determine if its a fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

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Friday, May 6th, 2011 AT 5:59 AM

D3XD3X

MEMBER
2 POSTS

There wasn'tgs were black so I replaced them. I also put a container of SeaFoam in the tank. We then got great spark. So upon trying to turn it over, it made this awful grinding noise. Found that the guard was rubbing on the serpentine belt. Shaved that back. Still grinding noise. A NEW noise that wasn't going on during prior troubleshooting. Took the manifold cover off to check out the timing because thats where the noise seemed to be coming from. The bolt from the first cam that runs into the pulley had sheared clean off and dropped with the washer between the pulleys. I got the pieces out, but I'm wondering now if its a 0 tolerance engine or a interference. Since the bolt JUST snapped out obviously is the cam bad? The timing is definately off. Wondering what caused it. Trying to figure out if I need a new engine, a new bolt, or just the cam. If it technically hasn't turned over and started would the cam go bad with that bolt snapping off? The pulley seems to have moved a hair, but not by much.

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Sunday, May 8th, 2011 AT 3:46 PM