MX5 batteries

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:53 pm

There's discussion about an intermittent starter problem on the RealBig list, i'll try and keep an eye on it encase there's some info there that might help you.

Curly · Postby **Curly** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:32 am

Hmm. Weird.

I gave the starter a few light taps with a spanner, and it started first go...

And to think that I've been driving around in an X2 Excel for the past fortnight because I haven't had the time to look at it.

Aaah, just got back from a nice little fang around the place. I'd forgotten how lovely it is to drive...

AJ · Postby AJ » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:38 am

sticking solenoid on the starter motor curly

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:41 am

Curly wrote:I gave the starter a few light taps with a spanner, and it started first go.....

I second what AJ said.

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:56 am

Wot they said x 3.

Funny though, I didn't think Mazda used Lucas starters :roll:

The starter on my clubman is a Lucas one, have rebuilt it twice now (probably done around 50 starts) and the pinion has seized again :evil:

No big deal except it takes two hours to to remove it!! Bloody Lucas!! Worst of it is none of the suitable Jap starters are small enough to fit the space available so I'm stuck with it. :evil:

Curly · Postby **Curly** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:28 pm

AJ wrote:sticking solenoid on the starter motor curly

Yeah, agreed. So is that something that's going to get worse? Is it a matter of replacing it or can I strip it down and clean/lubricate it etc?

Is it a seperate unit to the starter motor, or integral?

Cheers!

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:48 pm

It's mounted on the starter and is listed as a separate part. They're normally reliable on Jap cars. Might be more economical to source a complete starter from the wreckers if possible.

AJ · Postby AJ » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:26 pm

Curly wrote:
AJ wrote:sticking solenoid on the starter motor curly

Yeah, agreed. So is that something that's going to get worse? Is it a matter of replacing it or can I strip it down and clean/lubricate it etc?

Is it a seperate unit to the starter motor, or integral?

Cheers!

yep, gunna get worse & is awfully hard on the battery while it's doing it.......it's a seperate entity from the starter itself, but if one's on the way out, the other won't be far behind it usually........what JBT said, although i'd go exchange at a reputable auto sparky

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:02 pm

I highly recommend Schultz Auto Electrical just off High Rd in Willeton near Leech Hwy.

Those guys know their stuff and don't mind tinkering to rebuild parts rather than just order and expensive part from Mazda.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:17 pm

That RealBig post reminded me of another thing to check, your ignition switch.

There's a chance they buggered with it trying to start your car.

- Dave.

Curly · Postby **Curly** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:51 am

Okibi wrote:That RealBig post reminded me of another thing to check, your ignition switch.

There's a chance they buggered with it trying to start your car.

- Dave.

Will see - it looks ok - they didn't take the steering column shroud off or anything.

Will head down to Shultz's if it happens again. Or just hit him up next time we're racing out at Beverley.

Cheers.

muzzy66 · Postby **muzzy66** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:13 pm

Personally if it were me I'd go with Oddysey or Optima.

Had an optima D34 for a good 3 years now in my laser and even with an extremely taxing sound system (now gone) it's never let me down.

That said, the Optima's aren't small, and they aren't light either.

Oddysey would probably be a more suitable choice of the two for an MX5 as they do offer relatively lightweight / compact solutions.

Will be going with the Oddysey myself once my car arrives, purely for peace of mind

tuned_to_fly · Postby **tuned_to_fly** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:19 pm

Alright heres a perhaps silly question but Ill ask anyway. I've had my mx5 (nb) for a week now and I'm a little confused about the whole battery venting thing. The original owner has replaced the battery with one that has a venting tube but all the things that hold it in place etc arent being used. The tube isnt hooked up also (no rust etc though) but I'm not sure exactly what the setup should look like.

Is someone able to show me a picture of what it should look like all connected and bolted in or is there on online car manual anywhere?

I think whilst I'm in Slacks Creek on Saturday I'll grab a new Supercharge Gold battery..