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2008 Mazda 3 - 2.0L Standard Trans Ignition problem

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5 years 5 months ago #23646 by jonkirkross
Hi There,

I have a 2008 Mazda 3 2.0L with a standard transmission that was in a front end collision that destroyed parts of the wiring harness, fenders and front clip. We therefore purchased a donor car which is a 2007 Mazda 3 2.0L. We replaced the wiring harness and did have to re-route some of the vacuum lines and sensors to match the 2008 design, however the rest of the install appeared to be the same.

When we attempted to start the car, it did not turn over, all the dash lights came on at first, you could hear relays clicking but the starter never engaged. We were able to engage the starter by putting a jumper cable across the power side of the starter relay in the fuse box, however the car did not actually start. Also, we checked the voltage on the control side of the starter relay with the key turned to the start position and only received a voltage reading of 6V, and from my understanding that relay requires 12V. We then changed over the transmission position sensor, tried the 2007 computer, tried changing the starter relay from the donor as well as the main relay. All to no avail. We also attempted to boost the car thinking that maybe there just wasn't enough juice. Still nothing.

When we do try to start the vehicle, all of the lights on the dash, including the dashboard display go dark. Not sure if this is what is supposed to happen or not.

It appears as though something may not be connected, a fuse could be blown, a wire could be damaged but I am not sure what to check to determine the actual issue with the wiring. What could be causing this to not fire up, it appears to me like we've checked everything that could be contributing to the issue. What diagnostics steps could be taken to actually determine the issue.

Also, I don't think that it is relevant, but we did move over the steering wheel assembly for the air bag, the crash sensor and the airbag control module.

Regards,
Jon

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5 years 5 months ago #23698 by Tyler
Two problematic Mazda 3's around here at the same time? We should get the 2005 guy in here, see if we can help each other! :lol: :silly:

For reference, this is the 2007 starting system diagram, manual trans:



I also looked up the 2008 diagram for comparison, it's identical. The jumper wire across the load side was a good move, so we can concentrate on the control side.

Do you recall which pin you saw 6V on? Or, would you mind retaking your readings? A test light would work for our purposes, too. Connected to B-, pin one should be bright. Connected to B+, pin two should be bright in crank only.
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5 years 5 months ago #23699 by Paul P.
Hi guys,

Troubleshooting looks awesome. A couple things bother me on this one and they are super quick checks.

The dimming lights and that 6 volts.

Please do a static voltage reading between B- and the engine block. Should Be Zero

Then take the same reading while jumping the load side of the starter relay.

Just want to verify you have no grounding issues.

The other 6 volts got dropped somewhere, either PWR or GND side

Never stop Learning.

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5 years 5 months ago #23738 by jonkirkross
So I tested both sides. When the ignition is not in start position, the test light does not illuminate. When we turn the key to start the light does illuminate on the B+ side. So, does that mean the start interlock switch could be faulty? And are there any other diagnostics to perform?

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5 years 5 months ago #23739 by jonkirkross
We tested the volts between B- and the engine block and got 1V. This happened when not jumping the load side and when jumping the load side.

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5 years 5 months ago - 5 years 5 months ago #23740 by Tyler

jonkirkross wrote: So I tested both sides. When the ignition is not in start position, the test light does not illuminate. When we turn the key to start the light does illuminate on the B+ side. So, does that mean the start interlock switch could be faulty? And are there any other diagnostics to perform?


Would you clarify your test results for me? Your test light was connected to B+ and probing pin two at the starter relay socket?

Or, was your test light connected to B- and probing pin one?
Last edit: 5 years 5 months ago by Tyler. Reason: 'cause I can

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5 years 5 months ago #23741 by jonkirkross
We tested the battery - to pin 1 when key is in crank and the light illuminated.
When testing the battery + to pin 2 the light did not illuminate at all.

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5 years 5 months ago #23743 by jonkirkross
Correction on the ground test, we testing it incorrectly. We got 0V in both cases.

And I was incorrect in the dash lights going out when starting, it is only the display on the dashboard that says Hello that goes dark when attempting to start.

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5 years 5 months ago #23745 by Tyler

jonkirkross wrote: We tested the battery - to pin 1 when key is in crank and the light illuminated.
When testing the battery + to pin 2 the light did not illuminate at all.


Gotcha, thanks for the clarification! The ignition switch is working. Now we're going towards the shift interlock or the PCM.

Find the clutch switch under the dash and probe both wires with the test light connected to B+, pedal depressed and key in crank. If the switch is good, both wires will illuminate. If it isn't, only one will illuminate. If the PCM isn't proving a ground, neither will illuminate.

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5 years 5 months ago #23750 by jonkirkross
We tested and neither is illuminating with the key in crank position.

I also tested ohms and it was infinite resistance when not depressed and showed a closed circuit when closed.

So, the conclusion is that the circuit is good.

What does this conclude? There is an issue with the computer?

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5 years 5 months ago #23751 by Tyler
Yep, the PCM is not providing the ground for the control side of the relay. :( The rest of that circuit is good.

Now we go towards the PCM and it's powers/grounds/inputs. I don't remember if you said or not - does the check engine light come on with the key on? That'd be a big clue to an inoperative PCM.

Another quick check would be looking for 5V at one of the engine sensors. The camshaft position sensor would be my first choice, being out there in the open and accessible. Disconnect it and check all three wires for voltage with your multimeter, KOEO. At least one should have 5V.

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5 years 5 months ago #23754 by jonkirkross
We did test the MAF sensors and found a 5V on that previously. Does that conclude a good PCM?

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5 years 5 months ago - 5 years 5 months ago #23755 by Tyler
Sweet, way ahead of me. B) It doesn't tell us the PCM is 100% good, but it's at least powered up and talking. Do you have a scanner or code reader, to check communication? While we're on the subject, do you see any kind of anti-theft light on the dash with the key on? Does it come on and go off, or stay lit?

I did some more digging in the wiring diagrams, and found this on the 2008 MY:



This shows two more switches associated with the manual trans option. Neither is the clutch interlock switch we tested earlier - that one is further up on the same diagram. If the anti-theft light come on and goes out, then I'd be tempted to pursue these switches.
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Last edit: 5 years 5 months ago by Tyler.

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5 years 5 months ago #23767 by jonkirkross
The anti-theft light comes on and then goes off.

Connected to the obd2 via elm127 to ODB Fusion. There is a code of an O2 sensor P0138.

Also, it does not pull freeze frame data, I'm assuming that's because it's not running.

Where do I find the other two sensors? The neutral position switch and the clutch pedal position switch?

Thanks for all of your assistance today, I hope we find the issue soon!

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5 years 5 months ago #23771 by Tyler

jonkirkross wrote: The anti-theft light comes on and then goes off.


Super glad to hear this! :silly: I REALLY didn't wanna go down the anti-theft path.

Connected to the obd2 via elm127 to ODB Fusion. There is a code of an O2 sensor P0138.

Also, it does not pull freeze frame data, I'm assuming that's because it's not running.


Also glad to hear this.

Where do I find the other two sensors? The neutral position switch and the clutch pedal position switch?


I wish I knew! :silly: I gotta do some more research on those. I'm honestly not even sure they'll cause a no crank condition. But, I gotta figure the PCM is watching them for some reason...

Thanks for all of your assistance today, I hope we find the issue soon!


Thank YOU! I know this process isn't straightforward, so I appreciate you staying with me. :cheer:

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5 years 5 months ago #23774 by Tyler
Is the PCM still accessible? I'm tempted to suggest going there next.

Rather than digging around for the Neutral Switch and the Clutch Pedal Position Switch, I figure it's easier to find the signal wires at the PCM connector and check their operation that way. :cheer:

Unfortunately, the OE diagrams don't point out pin locations, or have all the PCM pins in numerical order so we could figure out color sequencing. You're looking for a black/orange wire for the Neutral Switch, and a black/yelllow wire for the Clutch Pedal Position Switch. I know, that doesn't narrow it down much. :silly: I can definitely say they're in the same PCM connector (of the two).

They're both going to be pull down switches, so we're looking for 5V or 12V with the switches open, and 0V with them closed. You may have to work the shifter to make the Neutral Switch work. If both change states while working the clutch or shifter, then I'm gonna figure they're working correctly.

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5 years 5 months ago - 5 years 5 months ago #23779 by Paul P.
Am I ever glad the immobilizer is out of the picture, Hope these pics help.

Never stop Learning.
Last edit: 5 years 5 months ago by Paul P.. Reason: Added another photo

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5 years 5 months ago #23782 by Tyler
THANK YOU. :woohoo: I was giving myself a headache trying to decypher Mazda's goofy pin numbering system.

Noah was also nice enough to hook me up with an alternative diagram. I'll post it up when I get a chance.

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5 years 5 months ago #23783 by Paul P.
Im trying to dig up the inputs Jon needs to start this thing lol!

Never stop Learning.

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5 years 5 months ago #23786 by Tyler

File Attachment:

File Name: EngineCont...ment.pdf
File Size:166 KB


Less detailed, but way more convenient than surfing through the OE diagram. :lol:
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