Where is the starter wire

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3 Troubleshooting' started by Easter Bunny, May 22, 2020.

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  1. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    So my car has been sitting and now when I have tried to get it fired up the starter isn't cranking over. I can hear it try but it wont crank.

    I would pull off the splash shield and get a look at it but the bolt clip thingies have rusted and snapped so that they now just turn when trying to loosen the bolt.

    I can't see enough from the top to sort it out and I'm about to cut off the splash shield. I can touch most of the starter from the top I just don't have any idea where I need to focus

    Anyone with a picture to guide me to the starter wires would save me a bunch of time and swearing.
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, May 22, 2020
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  2. 802MS3

    802MS3 Greenie Member

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    Don't have a pic but if you can feel the starter from the top of the engine, it's on the left. The wire is just a plastic clip spade connector. I occasionally have to wiggle it to get the starter to fire. It's annoying but it works. It probably just has a little corrosion on it and needs a little sanding.
     
    802MS3, via a mobile device, May 22, 2020
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  3. NavysailorMS3

    NavysailorMS3 Greenie Member

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    I don't have a slash guard so its easy to get to since the wire is on the bottom if the starter if I remember correctly.
     
    NavysailorMS3, via a mobile device, May 23, 2020
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  4. Mauro_Penguin

    Mauro_Penguin Punk in Drublic. #BlackLivesMatter Motorhead Platinum Member

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    I am not home right now, I dont have any tools to take shit apart.

    If you can manage to take your intake, TMIC, and throttle body off, you should have a ton of room to see it without having to remove the belly pan.

    These are the best pics I could find from old garage projects...
     

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    Mauro_Penguin, via a mobile device, May 23, 2020
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  5. Sho

    Sho Silver Member

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    Capture+_2020-05-24-10-52-20.png
     
    Sho, via a mobile device, May 24, 2020
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  6. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    Thanks guys the pictures are what I needed. Wish me luck
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, May 24, 2020
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  7. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    And I said fuck it and cut the splash shield off
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, May 25, 2020
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  8. NavysailorMS3

    NavysailorMS3 Greenie Member

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    Were you able to fix it?
     
    NavysailorMS3, via a mobile device, Jun 4, 2020
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  9. Tomas

    Tomas Greenie Member

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    Sometimes the carbon brush residue blocks contact to the commutator. Tap the whole starter with a hammer and see if that helps.
     
  10. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    It's definitely not the wires. I guess I can try banging on it but I'm probably going to just get it towed to the dealer
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Jun 5, 2020
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  11. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    And the culprit was....


    Locked up alternator. Remove belt car starts put wrench on alternator won't turn

    Jury is still out on whether the starter is weak or the belt is strong
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Jun 30, 2020
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  12. Mauro_Penguin

    Mauro_Penguin Punk in Drublic. #BlackLivesMatter Motorhead Platinum Member

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    I havent heard of a locked up alternator on these cars, but it doesnt mean it cant happen.

    Is your MS3 a winter car?
     
    Mauro_Penguin, via a mobile device, Jun 30, 2020
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  13. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    No year round DD. It did sit for about six months untouched
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Jun 30, 2020
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