Genuine 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata Starter

2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata Starter Parts and Q&A

• Q: What steps should be taken before diagnosing starter problems on 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

  A: Make sure that before diagnosing the problem with the starter, the battery is charged to the last drop. When the switch cannot cause the starter motor to turn on, ensure that the shift lever is in the Neutral position or Park position (or as long as the manual section of the vehicle has the clutch pedal pressed down). Test/Check Make sure that the battery is charged and that all cables at battery and starter solenoid terminals are clean and secured. Should the starter motor turn, yet the engine ignites not, the overrunning clutch on the starter motor is slipping and it is time to change the starter motor. In the event that the starter motor fails to start in any way but the solenoid does click once the switch is operated, it could be the battery, solenoid main contacts, the starter motor or a seized engine. In case solenoid plunger is not audible in case of switching on the switch then the battery may be defective, the circuit may be open, or the starter solenoid may be faulty. To test the solenoid, jump between the battery positive and the ignition switch pin on the solenoid, when the starter motor starts, the solenoid is working, and this checks that there is a problem with the ignition switch, Neutral start switch or wiring. Provided that the starter motor is still not working, disassemble the starter/solenoid assembly, test it, and fix it. When the starter motor is slow to engage the engine, first verify that the battery is charged and that all the connections at the terminals are tight; and partial seizure of the engine, or the wrong viscosity of the oil, may also be the cause of slow cranking. Turn the engine on until it is at normal operating temperature and turn the engine off and remove the primary connectors of the camshaft position sensor. Attach a voltmeter positive lead to the battery positive terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal. Turn on the engine and record voltmeter values immediately a constant figure begins showing and not more than 15 seconds of starter motor running. Any reading of 9 volts or higher with normal cranking speed should be considered good and a reading of 9 volts and higher but slow cranking speed should indicate a faulty motor. A low reading of the less than nine volts and a low cranking speed may burn the solenoid contacts, a bad starter motor, a discharged battery or bad connection.