So I just picked up a 86 626 GT. Was looking for a project to turn into my commuter to work. Didn't intend on getting a Mazda but when it popped up on fb marker place I fell in love. I originally narrowed my search to an 80's car that was good on gas and had to be fun. I wanted jdm or vw as I knew they made great cars in the 80's. I couldn't find a good example of a vw but scene the 86 626 and had to have it. According to the prev owner the car was garaged since 94 when the owner broke his ankle and couldn't drive a standard. Had 173k miles (which is kinda high but it is 34 yrs old)

So I bought it and drove it home. The turbo is noisy, the auto struts are blown (or at least the springs need replacement) and he said the knock sensor was bypassed. Everything else worked as intended, even the digit clock came to life after a few days of driving.

​​​​​​Over the weekend I decided to let my wife try out driving her and she did well. Until we got home and I went to start it back up and now the car won't run. Cranks but no start.

Its getting fuel, I replaced the ignition coil. It has a new cap, wire's and distributor internals from prev owner from the look of things. I'm having the hardest time finding parts for the ignition system. It looks to be turbo specific and only 86-87. The previous owner said he did the bypass because the price of a new knock controller was too much. But now I suspect that his bypass is the culprit. I'll get some pics in the morning.

I have to get this running soon as my wife will not stop nagging me about my purchase. She now thinks I made a huge mistake.

 

Two-Plus years later, I know, but did you ever get this car running?

 

Notablyoffbeat Last Activity: 06-14-2021 02:27 PM

Chances are this member is not returning anytime soon. Thats why it the unsaid universal rule not to open old threads like this one?
Next time it may be better to PM a member like this and see request that they return to post on their thread?

Just a thought!!

 

I did get it running, it was the sensor in the distributor that controls the firing order. Problem became that it keep burning them out every few months. I kept purchasing the sensor, and kept a spare in the glove box and was looking to source a new ignition system for it as I believed that to be the reason the sensor kept blowing. But I ended up having to move out of state and decided that she wasn't going to make the move so it sold. Lovely car otherwise, even with the occasional headache. The part kept increasing in price as stock dwindled as I believe it was no longer in production.

 

Welcome back!
And thank you for responding in your old thread.

I am sure we all hope you get another MAZDA in the future!

 

I will definitely bring getting another 626 or 323 turbo of the late 80s vintage... loved it... they catch my eye everytime I see one, although it's rare these days. It is on my shopping list when I can get another car. I love the engineering of the car and find it the sweet spot for Japanese cars.