Miata won't start, again

My Miata is not starting again after replacing the battery, which fixed the issue before. As chronicled here: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/miata-wont-start/117598/page1/

The car was fine for a few weeks, now it's back at it. I'm thinking I should replace the starter, but wanted to check in before I did.

Details: The starter clicked the first few times yesterday, but today it won't even click. The annoying door buzzer changes tone when I try to start it. I took the battery back, and they gave me a new one. Still nothing. Tried jump started the car, nothing. I think that they tested the alternator, doesn't seem to be the issue. The car will push start.

It must be the starter right? Or could it be the alternator? It just seems weird that after replacing the battery, now the starter is going out?

Any insight is appreciated.

I just tapped the starter with a hammer and afterward it tried to start. Must be the starter!

If its the alternator the battery will be weak/dead (eliminated by you exchanging it). Sounds like a starter or wiring.

Definitely connections or cables.

Dead spot on the starter and or wiring. I would go starter first as it I not a British car.

Crap! I got the new starter in, and still no start. Just "click."

The starter I was sold looked like it might be an NB starter--it was longer, lighter, and slightly narrower. I was going to return it but it was after the autoparts store had closed, so I figured I'd try it. Could this be the issue? From what I've read the NB starters can work in an NA, so I thought it might work.

If it's not the starter, and it's not the battery, what is my next move?

Did you get the new battery tested? It is defective/dead, or just discharged?

What is the alternator putting out? Don't just throw parts at the problem.

Check battery terminals, wiring, and alternator. There is a reason the new battery doesn't have enough juice to start your car.

Did you check the grounding of the system? Although it could be other issues, the annoying one I found was the engine ground was corroded and caused an issue.

Check voltages. Battery 12.5/ alternator 14.3+-

Check the battery ground cable at the chassis, frame .

Try jumper cable direct to starter.

Are you getting current to the small terminal on the solenoid.

Problem could be in the ignition/starter switch.

You need to trace the current flow.

So no one thinks this NB looking starter is the issue?

In reply to maj75:

The new battery was fine when I tested it right after I put it in. I'll check the alternator again.

The terminals all look good. The ground wiring is exposed, but looks okay.

Flight Service, where is the engine ground?

Iceracer, I'll check to see if I'm getting current to the small terminal on the solenoid.

It's funny, now that the new starter is in, it makes a click, which it didn't do before. When I go to start it, the door buzzer thing still changes tone a bit, so it makes me think it's just not getting the juice it needs.

Click at the relay or click at the starter? Try connecting the battery terminal to the little engagement terminal(anything works, screwdriver, clip on jumper wire, one of the old school starter bump buttons, etc.), it will crank if the problem is in the small gauge wiring. If you get nothing or just a clunk it's a bad main ground to the block or something wrong with the fat wire the runs straight from the battery to the starter (broken wire or bad connection). Or a bad reman starter(did you have it tested in the store?). Be careful poking around with the battery hooked up, there is unfused screwdriver melting current there, do not wear any rings, or wrap them in electrical tape if they can't be removed.

Should be from the block to the chassis. If you don't want to try to run it down right this second and easy way to check is run a wire from the starter-to-bellhousing bolts to the chassis. Make sure it is metal to metal contact. If that is the issue you know the starter/block isn't getting a good ground.

2nd gen rx7's do this a lot!

On the RX7's it is because the current goes through the ignition switch for the starter solenoid. The easy fix is to install a relay between the ignition switch and the solenoid.

Just take a screwdriver and touch the posts on the starter at the same time and see if it spins. If it does, I would add the relay between the switch and the solenoid.

BrokenYugo wrote: Click at the relay or click at the starter? Try connecting the battery terminal to the little engagement terminal(anything works, screwdriver, clip on jumper wire, one of the old school starter bump buttons, etc.), it will crank if the problem is in the small gauge wiring. If you get nothing or just a clunk it's a bad main ground to the block or something wrong with the fat wire the runs straight from the battery to the starter (broken wire or bad connection). Or a bad reman starter(did you have it tested in the store?). Be careful poking around with the battery hooked up, there is unfused screwdriver melting current there, do not wear any rings, or wrap them in electrical tape if they can't be removed.

Sounds like a click at the starter, it's quite metallic, almost a clunk.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

Interesting, what about just changing the ignition switch?

Mystery solved!!!!!!!!!!!! In my exhaustion last night, I hadn't fully tightened the outboard top bolt. I noticed it today, tightened it, and BINGO! Started right up, five times in a row! I'm thrilled!!!

It was the starter afterall! Thing was a pain in the ass to get in there so I'm really glad that did it!

Thanks for all the help here guys!