Turns over but will not start

Welcome to 2CarPros.

I have to be honest, if it won't start with starting fluid, I need you to recheck for spark. If you have spark, starting fluid should start the engine if only for a couple seconds.

Next, what you described sounds like an issue with the crankshaft position sensor. When they start going bad, they will internally short when they get hot. The result is no spark, so please check that again.

Here are a few links that should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

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If you find the sensor is bad, here are the directions for replacement specific to your vehicle including adjustment. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
CAUTION: When foreign material such as an iron chip is on the CKP sensor, it can cause abnormal output from the sensor because of flux turbulence and adversely affect the engine control. Be sure there is no foreign material on the CKP sensor when replacing.

1. Disconnect the CKP sensor connector.
2. Remove the undercover.
3. Remove the CKP sensor installation bolt.


See Pic 1

4. Install in the reverse order of removal.

Tightening torque
7.9 - 10.7 Nm (80 - 110 kg.cm, 69.5 - 95.4 in.lb)

5. Reconnect the CKP sensor connector.

CAUTION: Do not forcefully pull the wiring harness of the CKP sensor. Doing so will break the harness.

6. Adjust the air gap. (Refer to CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR ADJUSTMENT.)
See: Crankshaft Position Sensor > Adjustments

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Adjustment.

CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR ADJUSTMENT

See Pic 2

1. Loosen the CKP sensor installation bolt.

2. While moving the CKP sensor, adjust the air gap between the CKP sensor and the plate teeth on the plate using a feeler gauge.
- If not adjusted within specification, replace the plate behind the crankshaft pulley or CKP sensor.

Specification: 0.5 - 1.5 mm (0.020 - 0.059 in)

3. Tighten the CKP sensor installation bolt.

Tightening torque
7.9 - 10.7 Nm (80 - 110 kg.cm, 69.5 - 95.4 in.lb)

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Let me know if this helps. Also, if you noticed anything different as far as the engine's sound when cranking, let me know that too.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe

Thank you very much. i am working late today so it maybe tomorrow after work before i can check it. but i will let you know.

Sounds like a plan. Let me know what you find.

Joe

Sorry it took a few days to get back to you.i rechecked for fire and it is getting fire. i am changing spark plugs to see if that helps.

I forgot to mention the previous owner ran alcohol in the car, i run gas. it has always ran a little rough, but i have been driving it six months with no problems other than alternator belt .

I am a woman and don't know much about cars. would it help if i took a video of how it sounds when i try starting it?

Welcome back:

LOL Some of the best mechanics I know are women so I know you can do it too. lol

He ran alcohol in it? A 1999 Protege? Was he racing it? And most certainly a video would help. If you can do that, upload it and it will give me a better understanding on what's happening.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe

Wow, believe it or not after i put new spark plugs in it , it cranked right up, i am really surprised because it was getting fire. i am keeping my fingers crossed it keeps running good. Is there anything else i should check or change since i was having the problem i was with it? Thank you so much for your help i am really grateful.
Thanks,
Stephanie

I don't know if the guy raced it or not. i know the tank for the alcohol is still mounted in the trunk and for the life of me i can't understand why alcohol was ran through it. lol sounded like a crazy thing to me.

Can you take a picture of the tank so I can see what he did? I have to be honest, this is the first time I heard of this one. LOL

Yea i can do that. i will do it after i get off work this evening probably around 4:00.

Let me know if this tells you anything.
Thanks

Stephanie:
I have no idea what the heck that is. LOL What makes you think it's for alcohol? Honestly, they look like either windshield washer bottles or coolant overflow bottles. Do the hoses run to the engine compartment?

By the way, is it still running good? I have seen plugs that foul and still show spark. So, that was a good call.

Take care,
Joe

I think it is alcohol because that is what i was told by previous owner, i honestly don't know anything about how all that works. I don't see any hoses , just that little motor attached to it. I thought the same thing it looked like coolant or windshield washer containers. I really want to just rip it out of the trunk. I bought the car dirt cheap , thinking i would only have to fix a few things . And yes the car is still running good with the new plugs , guess i got lucky that it was not anything major. I am just going to baby it until tax time and buy a new car and use the ole Mazda for a back up car. Have a great day.

Welcome back:

I'm glad to hear it is still running good. Sorry I couldn't help with the alcohol thing.

Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Take care,
Joe

thanks for the help , this is a really great site for car questions, and I do appreciate the help. Hope everyone has a great day.

We appreciate that, Stephanie. You are always welcome back, and you have a great day, too. Only problem is it is 1AM here. Time for bed. LOL

Take care,
Joe

Lol, guess i should have said have a good evening or night.

Welcome back:

That or good morning. lol

Take care of yourself.

Joe

Hey it is Stephanie, remember a few weeks ago when i replaced the sparks plugs in my Mazda and it fixed the issue? Well i had to have them replaced again tonight, any ideas on why it keeps fouling out spark plugs?

Welcome back:

When you removed the plugs, what did they look like? Where they black or seem corroded in any way? Can you upload a picture of the portion of the plug that goes into the engine? Were they properly set when installed?

Let me know.

Joe

The tips of them were a little black but looked okay for the most part. They do smell like gas pretty bad though. Again this morning the car wouldn't start. i took the plugs out and of course they are all fouled out and you can tell there wet with gas. Grrrr i am at my wits end with this car. i just replaced those plugs for a second time a week ago. Any ideas? I have been told coil packs, MAP sensor, or fuel injectors.. i have no clue.

Welcome back:

If all of the plugs were wet when you removed them, one of three things are happening. Either they are losing spark and not burning the fuel, there is a fuel pressure related issue causing too much fuel to enter the engine, or the engine coolant temperature sensor is bad and causing the air fuel mixture to be too rich.

Has the check engine light come on? If not, I need to know if you have checked fuel pressure, if you have a live data scanner, and if you have a fuel pressure gauge.

Let me know.

Joe

I replaced spark plugs again today, and now car wont start at all. Yes, check engine light is on it stays on always has. I do know the spark is orange not blue. I was told the coil pack is missing something on bottom that goes down over top of plug that connects it , said it was pulled off when removing plug wire. And for the life of me i can't remember what he called it. Said it was causing it not to get the spark it needs and that is why it is orange instead of blue. I think he said a N cap. Said both coil packs would have to be replaced. Yes, i have checked fuel pressure it is getting plenty of fuel. This car is a nightmare. I hope this gives you somewhat of an idea. This car has me seriously stressed out

Welcome back:

There is a seal on the bottom of the coil where it connects to the plug. Take a look at picture 1 and let me know if the part I highlighted is what you are referring to.

Also, by any chance do you have access to a live data scanner? And do you know the codes stored in the computer causing the check engine light to be on?

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, that is the piece i am referring to. And no unfortunately i don't have access to a scanner. If i can get it started, could i take it to like AutoZone and have them scan it?

Hi Stephanie:

Yes, all of the Auto Zones that I know of will scan it for free. However, not knowing where you are located, I will suggest calling to confirm. I have to be honest, I don't see how that part will cause a weak spark unless something is arcing.

Let me know if I can help or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Good morning, thank you for taking the time to have answered all these questions about my car, I really appreciate it. Going to work on it this weekend and see if i can't get it started and have it scanned. I would like to before then but work is crazy busy right now.

Welcome back:

Keep me in the loop. If you need anything or have questions, let me know.

Joe

Ty very much I appreciate it. Have a great day.

You, too.

Joe