mrstop

Looking for a cleaner, lower mileage (40-60K miles) Miata. Must be 5-speed. Prefer one with decent options like preferred equipment package. Upgrades are okay.

Anybody have the paintucation videos I could borrow or rent?

I need 4 decent 195/60R14 all-season tires.

Checked the spark plug wires, and number 4 was bad. Just put on a new set of plug wires, and the car is now smooth. I have reset the ECU. Question, I know the light should stay on when the service connector is jumped and the engine is running, but should it stay on when the ignition is on and the engine not running?

Looked like it was the ignitor/coil. So I bought a brand new distributor from Distributor King (cheaper & all new). The car fired right up. I am now back to my original problem. It originally was flashing code 15 which is ignition, but then it went into "backup" mode. I'm trying to go through the trouble shoot, but it appears I need: - Test harness and a known good ECU. Anyone have one or the other?

I was through this a month ago: 1) Check main relay 2) If main relay is fine, you can "jump" a couple of the terminals and see if you get power to the fuel pump, 3) Check the ECU (as was mine), as this supplies ground to the relay. Since you swapped ECU's it is less likely the ECU itself, but maybe a ground or power to the ECU. If you have a Helms manual, there is a great trouble shoot flowchart that will help.

Sorry Double Post [ 22. April 2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: mrstop ]

Comming back from work, the engine was running rough like it was on 3 cylinders. I checked for engine codes, but the CEL stayed on, which I think means it was on the back-up program. So I yanked one of the wires to see which cylinder it was. At this point, the car died and want start up. The CEL still stays lit in "check mode." I'm getting fuel, I can hear the pump & smell gas as the engine turns over. I'm going to try and check the ignitor and coil today, to see if this is the problem. I had the ECU go out about a month ago, while it was a different cause (no fuel), the symptoms were similar - car wouldn't start & CEL remained on in check. I just wanted to see if someone has a tester if the ignition check doesn't give me anything. Thanks.

My car died, and I think it may be the ECU. I was wondering if anyone has a test harness they could rent/lend? Thanks

Perfection!

My spy sweeper is going nuts. EXTREMELY HOT CHICKS THOUGH!

She's LOVELY. But she needs to get a little more neckid.

I'd have to vote for autozone. I have had good luck with them. If I need a part they don't stock (which is typically the case for most stores), they can get it the next afternoon. Plus their parts are resonably priced. I will shop at the others though depending on brands they carry and availability.

Does it move at all? If so, it could be a stuck thermostat also.

While in Taiwan & China: Sheeps intestine, chicken hearts, rattlesnake, fish eyes, some small birds, shark fin soup... and who know's what else. Everything is "beef" or "chicken," they just don't tell you what part. But the worst was KFC in Shanghai. The chicken was like cardboard and it took me about 10 minutes to swallow a bite (didn't want to show disrespect).

I agree with Rayman, you're going to know it if the timing belt is broke! Timing belts should be good for at least 60-100K. It could be the valves need adjusting-or other. Hunting down engine noises can be a real PITA! If it's a 2002, it may still be under warranty. If so, let the dealer worry about it.

Although I haven't shopped locally recently, I found the best selection, price and availability through shops online. Some of my first stops are: www.summitracing.com www.jcwhitney.com www.tirerack.com I have also found some good buys through: www.groupbuycenter.com You can also thumb through recent import mags and find a lot of shops offering deals on parts.

SHA-ZAAMM!

Simple Green is great. If really dirty, liquid dish soap and a little elbow helps cut the grease well.

Bee Line charge $85 when I had it done, but again I wasn't impressed. I have called Auto Assets and they were similar to Passen, around $90. I think all of these prices are crazy for an alignment. When I lived in Cincinnati, there was a great shop that specialized in alignments worked on all makes (even saw a set of Lambo wheels there once), and they only charged $60. I have had my car aligned enough times to know that it is an easy job, even with a "modified" suspension. Unless there are some other ideas (not sure where Heath is), I might try NTB. Although they angered me (under the previous ownership (saw they must have been bought by Tire Kingdom) when I spent $600 on new tires for my Odyssey. They put the van on the rack for 10 minutes, made a very minor adjustment and charged me $60 something. If you can't tell, alignments piss me off!

I'm trying to find a decent shop who can perform 4-wheel alignments on modified suspensions (2" drop with camber kit). Last time I looked (about 2 1/2 years ago), all I got was cross-eyed stares. I ended up going to Bee-Line where they put it on a hookey rack with some manual gauges. They indicated that this was far better than those new-fangled computers. Well, after 10,000 miles and a new set of tires from camber wear I'm not sure I agree. Anyone know of a local shop who is competent at alignments?