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1988 Mazda 323 valve cover gasket problems

Tiny
YEGGS04
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 MAZDA 323
  • 4 CYL
  • 150,000 MILES
I recently replaced the valve cover gasket on my 1988 Mazda 323. When I went to start it, nothing. The battery is charged, but it seems like there is an electrical issue from replacing the gasket. I hooked up everything that was needed to be unhooked to replace the gasket so I don't know what else it could be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 3:34 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Check fuses. Is it stick or automatic?
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
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  • 7 POSTS
Stick
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
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  • 7 POSTS
All the fuses are fine.
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
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When you say nothing do the dash warning lights come on when you turn key?
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes, the lights came on. It would make a humming noise when I turned the ignition. I now managed to get it started originally by pushing it, and ever since then it starts like it should. It acts like there was a bad spot in the starter, a completely unrelated problem. Thanks for the assistance!
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Monday, March 14th, 2011 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I guess I'm still having the same problem. Apparently it starts under its own power after it is warmed up, but I have to push start it every time when the engine is cold. This makes me think it is the starter, but it's still weird that this happened immediately following the valve cover gasket repair. Is there anything else I could of done that would make the car act this way?
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Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
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Have you tried making the starter work right at the starter instead of key? Or check for 12v at the starter soleniod when you turn key.
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Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
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  • 7 POSTS
I tried a new starter and solenoid and no luck. I can hear the starter click when I turn the key and the lights dim, but it won't turn over. I looked for any shorts going to the battery and to the starter, but I see nothing. If I turn the key enough times, it usually will start eventually.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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It sounds like you have a bad electrical connection. The check the ground and hot wire of battery cables. You could also have a bad battery cell. Get it load tested at auto store.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
YEGGS04
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I finally discovered it was a bad starter, even though it tested fine. The new starter I bought from Autozone was also bad, so that was throwing me off. I went to O'reilly's and they gave me a good starter. Thanks for all the suggestions!
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Monday, March 21st, 2011 AT 1:22 AM

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