2004 Mazda 6.

Difficulty all of the sudden starting up on the first turnover.... startups on the second one.

 

Battery was changed a year or two ago. Starter?

2004 Mazda 6.

Difficulty all of the sudden starting up on the first turnover.... startups on the second one.

 

Battery was changed a year or two ago. Starter?

 

You mean slow turnover? Like grr---grrr----grrr.

 

That could be cables, starter, battery, vapor issues in the cylinders or impending main bearing doom.

How long is the car sitting?

 

 

If its after sitting for awhile..... look at the fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator....

Its not the gr gr gr sound.... just one.... so it wouldnt turn over the first time.... move the key back, try again and works.

 

Car was sitting there maybe 2 weeks.... once it runs, runs fine.... no issues.

 

If it makes a difference, gf did run out of gas while driving it when I was away... thinking fuel pump sucked up soem crap? but filled it up last night. will see today. =)

 

make a video. lol.

 

will check battery.

If the fuel pump pickup was clogged you would have problems accelerating (fuel starvation). If the problem continues after refueling you may have a bad check valve ( prevents fuel from draining back into tank - some vehicles have this as part of the fuel pump and others have a separate check valve). When you turn the key to start the engine the fuel injection system activates to build working pressure (before starter engages) if the fuel has drained back to the tank engine won't start not enough working pressure for the injectors, on the second cycling of the key the fuel pressure is restored to needed pressure and engine starts. Since you did not mention smoke from tailpipe or rough idle after starting we can rule out a faulty injector (injector leakdown).

So first try it just doesn't turn over.

 

Maybe the bendix is sticky or something.

Sorry I misunderstood I though it was cranking but engine wouldn't start.

Sorry I misunderstood I though it was cranking but engine wouldn't start.

 

Me too...... not a fuel issue

 

Start with battery ( load test ).... then cables ( corrosion and tightness)..... then starter....

Running it dry won't have an effect once it's refilled. The whole "crap at the bottom of the gastank" thing is a myth. I'd have the alternator checked to make sure it's fully recharging the battery.

 

thats what I thought. Will go to autozone, or whatnot, have them do a battery test. will check date on battery...

Max if you are in our area today call Brian Nerger 732-356-6060. He will come pick up your car from work and Dx it. If he finds something wrong you tell him you know me and he will take $30 off the bill.

Also, if you drive to a store and let the car sit for a half hour or so after driving it, does it start up, or does it hesitate then as well?

hesitates then as well.

Sounds like a bad starter, but I would first check the battery. If I may ask what brand is the battery?

The fact that it starts at all usually rules out the starter. Since the battery is only a year or two old, it shouldn't be the issue, but perhaps the wires are loose on the terminals.

I've had a bad starter solenoid do this same exact thing as well as loose wires. The north guys will tell you that I've had more than my share of clunkers.

 

It is also possible that it may be a worn ignition switch in the column...

 

Suggest you google Mazda 6 forums and see what you can find. One of the most eye opening experience of my life may have been that other people with the same car experienced the exact same failures I experienced...

I've had a bad starter solenoid do this same exact thing as well as loose wires. The north guys will tell you that I've had more than my share of clunkers.

 

It is also possible that it may be a worn ignition switch in the column...

 

Suggest you google Mazda 6 forums and see what you can find. One of the most eye opening experience of my life may have been that other people with the same car experienced the exact same failures I experienced...

 

 

I did. I am active on mazda6club. looks like could be drain, and batteries have been known to go bad fairly quickly. Will have it tested.

 

Started it up today... started on second crank.

Do a charging system check then go from there.

 

-Scott

looks like battery. took it to autozone... they did the battery test and it came back 433 caa, and battery rated for 565. bought a new one, but didnt install yet... mine still working. =) and seems to be better.

OP,

Best guess is, based upon your description of the symptoms, worn contacts in the starter solenoid. Fairly typical in vehicles with Denso starters. Good description here...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

The fact that it starts at all usually rules out the starter. Since the battery is only a year or two old, it shouldn't be the issue, but perhaps the wires are loose on the terminals.

 

No it doesn't. During my days as a mechanic I've come across starters with intermittent problems before. Also being that the battery is a year or two old may actually be the issue. I've seen many car batteries just up and die long before their expiration date and there's plenty of batteries that are designed to only last a year or two. The ones that are designed to do so are usually the el cheapo batteries people buy because they don't want or can't afford to spend the $50 for a decent battery that will last them 4+ years.

Ok, took the car on a trip to ohio. After driving longer, car would almost start like normal. but on more frequent stop and starts... would be harder.

 

and just to verify... its not really clicks.... but rather not enough juice to turn over per say.

 

i bought a new battery, and will install it tomorrow, take the old one to get replaced under warranty.

i bought a new battery, and will install it tomorrow, take the old one to get replaced under warranty.

 

Good idea.