1995 Mazda B3000 Engine stops suddenly

Tiny
BEN NOBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 MAZDA B3000
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Engine stops suddenly for no apparent reason - resulting in no spark & no fuel. But engine still cranks over and as soon as it happens it won't start. This truck is equipped with distributorless ignition

Twice its happened. The first time I changed the crank angle sensor, then the cam poition sensor and then the coil pack with known good ones. Cleaned the cables and other electrical connections. Gave up and had it towed to a local garage. Got it there and it started up and ran like a top - nobody touched the engine. The mechanics put their instruments on it and could find nothing wrong. Left it there for over a month trying to get to go wrong again. Gave up - it wouldn't go wrong so they could figure it out. Took it home and drove it for the next 3 months - no problem. Recently it stalled again on the highway - had it towed back to the same garage. Tried to start it at the garage - wouldn't start but ok turned over - left it there. Expected that it wouldn't start for mechanics next day. Next day mechanics tried to start it and it started immediately and they couldn't get it to not start so could not do a diagnostic.

A friend suggested the power supply to the computer may be faulty - ie poor connection or faulty fusible link - giving an intermittent connection from time to time. But it still cranks over when there is no spark or fuel supply. Any ideas?

One thing. The first time it wouldn't start was the next day after a very sloppy wet snow storm.
The second time was the day after a very rainy day.

Could the computer be getting wet - then drying out? How can we find out for sure without changing expensive parts like computers on spec?

Thanks, Ben Noble
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 AT 6:40 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Next time it refuses to start do below immediatley-something has to give between fuel and spark-

Also might want to test the PCM power relay-

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light.

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time
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Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 AT 10:45 PM

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