What did you do to your MX5 today ?

[Steve]

Thanks guys, it’s good to get back on the road and,nearly as important, back to work .
Well done Steve getting it through the nct, what’s the chances of it failing in a couple of months

Ha, funnily enough he suggested I leave the pass sheet on the passenger seat when I go again

Took the car out for a good burn today and visited Galway Cars n Coffee.

Think my right rear caliper might be dragging... again (it was new before I parked it ). I didn't feel it but the smell was pretty strong and wheel hot (well... they all were, just hotter than the rest).

[Steve]

I've been having an intermittent issue for about 10 years (those on the trip to Barcelona will remember this), car is cutting out at random. Sometimes won't happen for a few days, then maybe several times within a few miles. I've tried repairing it in the past by rewiring a lot of the grounds to the ECU and resoldering the ECU connector pins on the board. Last night it cut out 3 times within a mile... which was fine as I was half expecting it and I've been carrying a length of wood (can't remember it's mazda part number) to bang the passenger footwell to get it going again on the fly.
Today after some study (forum reading and prodding things while the car was running to see when it would die), I removed it and resoldered up a few components, paying most attention to the injector drivers and the grounding bar they are mounted on. After reinstalling it in the car I couldn't get it to die... so things might be good. Think I'll carry the ECU beating stick for a bit still just in case.

[Pops]

Well done, most people would throw it away instead of trying repair first.
You could call the piece of wood the starting handle

[93 Mk1]

I've been having an intermittent issue for about 10 years (those on the trip to Barcelona will remember this), car is cutting out at random. Sometimes won't happen for a few days, then maybe several times within a few miles. I've tried repairing it in the past by rewiring a lot of the grounds to the ECU and resoldering the ECU connector pins on the board. Last night it cut out 3 times within a mile... which was fine as I was half expecting it and I've been carrying a length of wood (can't remember it's mazda part number) to bang the passenger footwell to get it going again on the fly.
Today after some study (forum reading and prodding things while the car was running to see when it would die), I removed it and resoldered up a few components, paying most attention to the injector drivers and the grounding bar they are mounted on. After reinstalling it in the car I couldn't get it to die... so things might be good. Think I'll carry the ECU beating stick for a bit still just in case.

A classic case of dry joints on the circuit board perhaps. I hope it's fixed for you: intermittent faults can drive a person demented ! Is that the standard ECU or an aftermarket job like Megasquirt etc ?

[Steve]

Yeah am hoping it was a dry joint, difficult to know. It's a link ECU that was supplied by flyin Miata (with their software specific to the mx5).
Lots of reading here if you are interested : https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/ ... -on-90-97-

Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

[Steve]

Well done, most people would throw it away instead of trying repair first.

True and I very nearly did a few times myself but figured I'd give it a go as I couldn't break it more than it already is

You could call the piece of wood the starting handle

Ha!

[mrges]

We'll done. Intermittent faults are a killer, I can imagine it will be very satisfied if that's it sorted!


I had an intermittent (and short lasting) suspension rattle in a car before - ended up taking it to a garage, they drove, pushed it up and down, put it up on the ramp.... . and nothing. I drove it away and all was fine. Two days later there it was back in all its glory. Never got to the bottom of it.

[Pops]

BTW, I never use a sponge - they are ripe for leaving micro scratches and swirls (which, of course, REALLY show up on black/dark coloured paint). I'd recommend a lamb's wool mitt, or nothing less than a microfiber wash mitt. Sponges tend to move any dirt they encounter around/over the surface.
Mrges I took your advice and got a wash mitt and microfiber cloth, used the same simoniz suds to do the work car, mitt to wash it & dry it with the cloth , so much better

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Still can’t add pictures, have to use a screenshot of the pic

[mrges]

Niiiice..... and a lovely shine!

[Pops]

Ta , hopefully I might be able to keep it something like that

[Steve]

Wow, looks great!

[Steve]

unlike Pops, the force is not strong with my polishing skills... so I've dropped the car off to 2m automotive detailing today to have it resanded and polished. Its been sitting outside with little love given to it for the last 2 years so the paint is 40 shades of red/pink.

[93 Mk1]

unlike Pops, the force is not strong with my polishing skills... so I've dropped the car off to 2m automotive detailing today to have it resanded and polished. Its been sitting outside with little love given to it for the last 2 years so the paint is 40 shades of red/pink.

I don't believe you Steve.....I want to see photos as proof or it didn't happen ! (You know we love photos on here !)

[93 Mk1]

I removed the instruments that the car came with from Japan all those years ago: Mazdaspeed dials and red illumination. I swapped them with standard items, supplied by Master Maguire, and the green illumination is a nice change. I will hoard these away for safe keeping.



Hmmm, now to consider removing the white side reflectors and side repeaters.....

[Steve]

unlike Pops, the force is not strong with my polishing skills... so I've dropped the car off to 2m automotive detailing today to have it resanded and polished. Its been sitting outside with little love given to it for the last 2 years so the paint is 40 shades of red/pink.

I don't believe you Steve.....I want to see photos as proof or it didn't happen ! (You know we love photos on here !)

pics to follow