[cory]

Been having starter issues for as almost 2 years now. Starter clicks but won't turn over until I give the key a few more turns. Thought it might be a grounding issue so I've been going through all my grounds to check. My negative battery cable was a frayed so I replaced that, regrounded inside the trunk and on the PPF. Problem still persists. I wanted to add a ground strap to the starter to make a stronger ground, but I don't know where to connect it to. Has anyone had this issue before or added a ground strap to their starter?

 

[JO]

ive had the same issue for about 2 years also. i replaced the starter 3 times and nothing changed... ive also cleaned the ignition switch, and replaced it as well, still nothing...

i ended up buying a push to start button and wired it directly to the starter.

 

[cory]

Yea, I replaced the starter last year and just replaced my ignition switch a few weeks ago.

 

[Jpopsbronco]

I had this same issue. I tried 3 different starters as well as running 0 gauge power and ground wires to the starter, shimming it, and even hot wiring it. I eventually got a low mileage gear reduction nb starter and havent had any issues. I have 3 friends, one with a 240sx, one a supra, and one an rx7. ALL OF THEM DO THE SAME THING so its not just a miata probem. I think its just starters from that time are all so old lol. It got to the point where I was clicking the key 10-12 times in a row one minute and the next it would go 1st try. I realized that when I changed starters, the issue would go away for about a couple weeks each time and each starter I pulled out had a different issue, one was a the soleniod, one was the actual motor, and one never had the issue on my bench. But I got 2 nb gear reduction starters for cheap and both are still going strong for about 1 year now (both my miatas had this issue lol)

 

[Jpopsbronco]

you can try grounding it better by running a big ground from the bat. to the chassis (basically copy factory wiring but just to make sure its good). Then run a bigger ground strap from the area by the dipstick to the chassis again like mazda had it. You aren't trying to add more grounds, just making sure the ones that are there are good. so you're basically just doubling them up.

One of the starters that failed and started doing the clicky no starty after 2 weeks was a new rebuilt one, and i have heard of lots of miata folks having that issue (get starter rebuild but no change). I think its the design of the solenoid because it can easily seize up if it isn't used in awhile.

Btw I got both my nb starters off ebay for 40$ shipped. To install one of the three bolt holes wont line up but its no sweat.

 

[JO]

I had this same issue. I tried 3 different starters as well as running 0 gauge power and ground wires to the starter, shimming it, and even hot wiring it. I eventually got a low mileage gear reduction nb starter and havent had any issues. I have 3 friends, one with a 240sx, one a supra, and one an rx7. ALL OF THEM DO THE SAME THING so its not just a miata probem. I think its just starters from that time are all so old lol. It got to the point where I was clicking the key 10-12 times in a row one minute and the next it would go 1st try. I realized that when I changed starters, the issue would go away for about a couple weeks each time and each starter I pulled out had a different issue, one was a the soleniod, one was the actual motor, and one never had the issue on my bench. But I got 2 nb gear reduction starters for cheap and both are still going strong for about 1 year now (both my miatas had this issue lol)

I'm gonna try this... my problem persisted even when I went to a different chassis... so this makes sense.
Thank u!

 

[cory]

I added a new ground to the battery already, as well added another to the hot side engine ground location. So putting an NB starter into your NA solved this problem?

 

[Jpopsbronco]

I'm not saying the nb starter solved it, I'm saying a new working starter solved it. But in reality the cheapest way to get a NEWER long lasting starter is to get one from a low mileage nb So, yeah lol

The nb starters are 1:gear reduction ones and 2: Newer, so they tend to last to last awhile longer.

The thing is you don't know whos "rebuilding" them or what their doing. Like i said, it's now up to 3 of my close friends who paid good money to have their starters "rebuilt" and the starter either had the same problem within a couple weeks or had the same problem immediately.

Basically, if you're going to replace your starter just buy an NB one off ebay from a wrecked car with low miles. One bolt doesn't line up but its no problem, search m.net for more info on it.