1997 323 starting problems
 

i just bought a 323 cheaply! i now know wy it was so cheap. i recently had the engine replaced due to the oil pump having seized and the engine being written off. as soon as the car was out of the garage it ran fine home then the following morning i went out turned the key and nothing no dash lights or ignition!i jump started the car last night and it was fine as long as the jump leads were on but as soon as i took them off the car died. the battery in the car is brand new.
any help would be great!
Greg

RE: 1997 323 starting problems
 

If the car starts and runs with a good power source connected but dies as soon as it has to rely on it's own power then that points a finger...

It's possible that your alternator has gone bad (it's not generating any power, so your dead battery can't keep the engine running) the voltage regulator has gone bad (so even though the battery is good it is not getting charged, and your alternator is just dumping electricity...) or that some of the cables are gone (but that seems least likely).

Can you get your car somewhere where they can test the voltage regulator and alternator? Given the sudden onset of the problem I would guess that it is the Voltage Regulator, but I could be wrong. Remember I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm just guessing about what makes sense based on what you've told me.

I hope that this helps,

Z.

RE: 1997 323 starting problems
 

im taking it in first thing tomorrow, luckily the other run about (a kia pride most reliable thing iv ever had!) has the same size battery so i can run it down and get it checked. iv got a feeling that it will be the most expensive out of the alternator or voltage regulator!
many thanks for the help its greatly appreciated and ill keep you updated.............

RE: 1997 323 starting problems
 

just back from the mechanics, apparently the water pump has been putting pressure on the alternator belt thus snapping it so the battery wont have been getting charged. he recommends i replace the alternator and water pump so im just trying to source the parts now!

RE: 1997 323 starting problems
 

If you don't mind salvage then you might want to try http://car-part.com/ for a list of places that have your parts... I found water pumps from $19.95 and alternators from $19.95... I did select Mazda Protege rather than 323 as I had no luck selecting 323, and I thought that the 323 became the Protege, and I've seen some vehicles with 323 Protege on them.

I hope that this helps,


Z.

Is there any coilovers interchangeable for a 1997 323 gxi