NB8B- Engine cutting out

[Twiggy]

I think Sliq had a similar problem..

(have a read here)

It turned out to be the camshaft angle sensor.

Ooh, thanks RawSouth!

I'll look into it! Mine is the exact same model as Mike's car (even the colour haha).

I'll report back!

i have a spare working one here, you are welcome to come and try it out. I live in Peakhurst, so not too far from you. Shoot us a PM if interested

Thanks Regie, it's good to know you're nearby, and thanks to everyone who responded for your input, especially de Bounce.

Good news - I told my mechanic about what the problem was likely to be and how to resolve it (thanks to the great advice on this forum!). He checked the fault code just in case, and it was exactly what you all diagnosed - a new camshaft position sensor was needed. A few hours later, and we had the new sensor delivered to the workshop and installed, leaving me a happy little mx5 driver!

Despite the initial stress of breaking down in the heat and worrying about what the problem could be, the only lasting side effect of the issue was that I had to drive my mum's automatic Suzuki Swift until I was called back to the workshop for the new sensor get me to my mx5!

Back in the bucket seat and very happy thanks so much again everyone!

Dom

[sliq]

credits to de bounce. he kindly sent me a photo of his engine bay, circling where the cam angle sensor was.

how i diagnosed it was... have a spare CAS available. take the car for a good drive around the block, make sure it actually starts to splutter. pull to the side of the road, replace the CAS, and reassess your position. that's how i confirmed mine was the CAS.

[honki3rider]

Mine is starting to do this too... Twice on the track and twice on the road but after a 5minute rest, the car is perfect for another month. Might get and replace the camshaft angle sensor and see if it happens again.

[whoa_dang_96]

my mate has a 2001 NB8B with 254000 Ks on it and when we took it to Wakefield recently for a sprint it would do 3 laps and then just cut out and stop - 3 minutes later whilst being towed to the pits turn the key and it spluttes to life - genrally without fault but the last time it ran funny like a signal sync problem - so your suggestions of it being the CAS sounds plausible. I have heard of coil pack problems before but only on programmable ecu's with excessive dwell.

How much is the sensor ?? Can anyone confirm this is actually the fix ... ie it hasnt replicated after the sensor was replaced under similar conditions ???

PS - this car has never don this on the road - only on the track

[Tony]

I don't know if this will help on an MX5, but I had a similar type of problem on my old VR Commodore.

The old crank angle sensor would overheat and the engine would cut out immediately. In my case I could get the car going again by tipping a bottle of water over the crank angle sensor to cool it down. It also helped confirm that it was actually the crank sensor causing the problem.

Perhaps this may help to get an MX5 going again if you've got a dodgy crank or camshaft position sensor; it's certainly worth a try if you get stranded!

Regards...

[de Bounce]

How much is the sensor ?? Can anyone confirm this is actually the fix ... ie it hasnt replicated after the sensor was replaced under similar conditions ???

It is a known problem for the NB8B
On the big forum it is known as "Got Buck" amongst many other threads.
The Camshaft Position Sensor is available from either MX5Parts UK or from finishlineperformance in the states.
Or your local Mazda dealer will be happy to lighten your wallet in exchange for the part.

Takes about 5 minutes to replace, 3 of that is finding a suitable spanner and taking it out of the box

I think Sliq had a similar problem.(have a read here)It turned out to be the camshaft angle sensor.

Good news - I told my mechanic about what the problem was likely to be and how to resolve it (thanks to the great advice on this forum!). He checked the fault code just in case, and it was exactly what you all diagnosed - a new camshaft position sensor was needed. A few hours later, and we had the new sensor delivered to the workshop and installed, leaving me a happy little mx5 driver!
Dom

All recommendations on any forum are generally provided to the OP in good faith and is then up to him/her to accept and act upon them as he/she sees fit.

whoa_dang_96
Have you actually read this thread and all the linked references, especially the post from Twiggy!
What more information do you need that has not been already covered.

[djw24s]

I picked up my NB last night after a week in the spray painters and a day at my mechanic's workshop. She is like a new car!! A coat of Garnett Red at the spray painter's got rid of all the stone chips and a new CAS and EGI relay have made it run like new. There was a slight hesitation when accelerating before but this is gone and the car runs like a dream. Two laps around Mt Panorama and a drive half way to Orange and back showed that the cutting out problem is gone.
Thanks everyone for your assistance with this problem, I look forward to catching up on a run sometime soon.
David