Hi folks, I'm new to this forum and to Mazda in general, although I'm a fairly competent mechanic. I bought a 96 with the 2.3 Miller Cycle Engine that doesn't start. There are no codes in the computer.It gets spark, fuel pressure, injector pulse, timing belt is not off(maybe skipped?). almost wants to fire at times. I was told it was being driven on the hiway and just died, then wouldn't restart.I'm thinking if it gets gas and spark and won't run it must not be getting either or both at the right time. Am I on the right track? Could it be something simple, I don't want to dig into the covers unneccesarily. I really want to fix this and drive it, the motor is such a unique piece of machinery. Thanks much.

Mike
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How many miles does your Milly have on it? I checkedthetiming marks on mine by just looking through the top of the timing covers and felt pretty good about it not being a problem, and when I took it to the dealer(Mazda Technician) I found out the the belt was stretching after it started and idled! Then when it was actually replaced I found out it had also jumped timing, but it would still run which is not your case. So if it is possible try to make sure without a doubt its not your timing. You probably already know that you can search this forum for similar issuses, which can be lead to a world of info, especially from Babyhuey's posts, and the more in depth and details you give helps. This is from the P0725 post!
Just figured I would let some people know whats going on with my ride! Second trip to a different mazda technician! He called the Mazda Tech line after about an hour trying to figure out the problem and they said that it is common for the timing belts to stretch while running but all the timing marks to be lined up when on top dead center. So he removed the bolt on the cam sensor and rotated it counter clock wise and now my car runs great! I still have the code 17 and the TCS Off light on which I am hoping with a new timing belt will disappear! Hope this will help someone!

 

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with me.I'm about 2/3 of the way into pulling the timing belt (motor still in the car, what a pain) I like the cam sensor adjustment to compensate for stretch, great idea. I advance chevy small block distributors to get the same effect. I love forums like this because I get ideas that help me apply theories and principles that I am already familiar with to cars that I haven't yet had the pleasure of working on. A car is a car, they all need the same things to go and the same things make them quit.
Thanks again
Mike