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NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:33 pm
by aladdin96
Hi Guys I have an NA6 89 Mx5. Recently I have fitted an Aftermarket Pod Filter (Shielded Simota). Running with it a couple of times it was all good. Then one morning I come to start it. Its starts and idle fine. Reverse out the driveway fine and taking off in 1st was fine. As I accelerate, the car struggles to go. Put it in second and it struggles and the exhaust starts making popping sounds and the bloody thing sounds like a WRX. I suspected the Airflow Meter. But could it be other things. Let me know. I have no clue. I just wanna fix it and get back to doing what an mx5 should be doing. Thanks
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 4:52 pm
by 93_Clubman
As you may have unplugged the AFM from the wiring loom, make sure the AFM is plugged back in properly so that contact is being made on all seven pins.
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:04 pm
by aladdin96
Already checked. Made sure that it has gone in 100%. I put a bracket to hold it but it moves around alittle. I thought that the pin inside might have had trouble to open up. But put original back on and it still does it. Struggles to accelerate and makes popping sounds and like a said like a WRX. (Multiple popping when i put my foot down).
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:13 pm
by Red Dragon
Could be plugs / leads
Years ago I filled up with petrol not at my usual servo, got a few hundred yards down the road had the same thing as you.
Blamed crook fuel but got home about 2 Kilometers and had a think, haven't changed plugs or leads for a while so checked them.
Sure nuff that was the problem so bought new leads and plugs fitted them no problems in the last 40k. Must be about time to change them again.
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:29 pm
by aladdin96
Hi reddragon. Did your mx5 also like shake abit and on throttle it struggle and make popping sounds. When I put the pod filter there was only one bracket holding. Could movement reck the Airflow Meter. Havent checked sparkies or leads but when i get home I will definitely check it. Cheers.
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:34 pm
by 93_Clubman
aladdin96 wrote:I put a bracket to hold it but it moves around a little.
Still moving a little around won't be ideal, & perhaps why when you accelerate the problem occurs, as that's when there's greatest movement.
aladdin96 wrote:I thought that the pin inside might have had trouble to open up. But put original back on and it still does it.
Not sure what you mean by this?
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 5:43 pm
by aladdin96
My father thinks that i may have fried the inside of the AFM. Because when i drive it may have wobbled around.
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:51 pm
by aladdin96
Does anyone suggest another solution?
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:58 pm
by JBT
AFM and/or AFM wiring
Plugs
Leads
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 8:51 pm
by aladdin96
Ok ill investigate. But please if anyone has had this exact problem please come forward and let me know what youve done to solve it. Cheers
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 9:50 pm
by Red Dragon
Yep, and it was terrible and sounded like a sick WRX
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:02 pm
by aladdin96
Im not sure if this helps but sometimes on idle i would rev it and it would do it smoothly. If I press the throttle heavily and fast it would do the WRX and pop. And also struggle. Same with driving,sometimes if i throttle it lightly and gradually pick up speed it would do it smoothly. But this did not always happen. Let me know. So far you guys are helping. Definitely would be having a look tomorrow. And thank god so far it isnt getting expensive.
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:03 pm
by SuperMazdaKart
Sounds like spark leads, been through the same thing too. A day after the car got serviced at a mechanic..
Didn't damage the inside wiring of the AFM plug connector did you? easy to do just by undoing the screws that hold the electrical plug connector in place on the AFM then pulling the connector out. The proper way is undo a holding clip with a small flat screw driver then disconnect wiring loom plug from the AFM.

See
http://www.miata.net/garage/afm_fix.html if it sounds like something you might've done (I actually have before haha..)
Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:12 pm
by aladdin96
Nope. Didnt do it. I actually did take the AFM off and test if the gate type of thing inside would open and with ease it opens. Like I said on idle sometimes its perfect and sometimes it wants to be a WRX. The car starts fine multiple times without a struggle.
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Re: NA6 MX5 Problem!
Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 9:09 am
by project.r.racing
sounds like spark plug leads from the description of being under load. easy test. start car. pull one lead out at a time. place sideways parallel about 1cm away from head cover. if spark comes out anywhere else than the end of the lead. problem found.
also check the leads are tight in the coils.