I have a 96 Miata that runs great at 112k miles, but every once in a while when I go to start it, I get a "click." I try the key on & off three or four times and it always starts. My tack is also running backwards or sometimes not at all. I cleaned the battery terminals which seemed to fix the problem for a time, but I had to open the dash to put the tach needle back on it's rest since it ends up behind it so when it does work correctly, the needle is stopped by the rest.

I can't help but wonder if the two problems here are related. One suggestion was to check the ground under the hood on the front of the engine which is clean and tight.

Any suggestions? Ed

 

As for the click when you turn the key, it may be an ignition switch that needs to be cleaned. Try this Cleaning the Ignition Switch (1990)