Carbureted Models (B2200 Federal)
- Check battery condition.
- Ensure sufficient secondary spark is available.
- Verify choke valve is closed (engine cold).
- Verify choke valve is open (engine hot).
- Ensure fuel level is at specified mark on carburetor sight glass.
- Check mixture control valve operation.
- Check for vacuum leaks.
- Check for correct vacuum hose routing.
- Check slow fuel-cut solenoid valve operation. A click should be heard from solenoid valve as ignition is cycled on and off.
- Check duty solenoid valve for correct switching.
- Check charcoal canister operation by clamping hose(s) shut. If problem goes away, check vacuum hose routing. If routing is correct, replace charcoal canister.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Ensure winter grade fuel is not used in warm climate conditions.
- Ensure exhaust system is not restricted.
Fuel Injected Models
- Check battery condition.
- Check condition of spark plugs.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) main fuse located in fuse box (if equipped).
- Ensure inertia switch circuit is not open (Navajo).
- Verify crank angle sensor has correct resistance values (MX-3 1.8L, Navajo, RX-7 and 929).
- Verify optical sensor is working (Miata, Protege and 323).
- Check coolant temperature sensor resistance.
- Verify Hall-Effect sensor is working (MX-3, MX-6, 626 and 929).
- Check for leaky fuel injectors or pressure regulator causing warm-engine no start.
- Check fuel pump relay operation. A click should be heard from relay as ignition switch is cycled on and off.
- Check distributor pick-up coil resistance (if equipped).
- Ensure pressure regulator control system is okay.
- Check air intake system for restriction.
- Check EGR valve and solenoid for correct operation.
- Check for cracks and poor connections at airflow meter or throttle body.
- Check ignition coil resistance.
- Ensure no vacuum leaks exist.
- Verify vacuum hose routing is correct.
- Ensure fuel level is at specified mark on carburetor sight glass.
- Check PCV operation by clamping hose shut. If problem goes away, replace PCV valve.
- Check EGR valve condition and operation.
- Verify ignition timing is correct.
- Briefly remove each spark plug wire to determine if problem can be isolated.
- Verify mixture control solenoid operation is correct.
- Use stethoscope to verify fuel injector operating noise.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check EGR valve condition and operation.
- Verify ignition timing is correct.
- Check PCV valve.
- Check airflow sensor.
- Check coolant thermosensor for correct resistance.
- Check idle air control valve function.
- Check for cracks and poor connections (vacuum leaks) at airflow meter or throttle body.
- Check O2 sensor for fluctuating 0.1-1.0 volt output while increasing and decreasing engine RPM.
- Verify throttle position sensor has correct adjustment and resistance value.
- Check purge valve function.
- Check for poor fuel quality.
- Ensure no vacuum leaks are present.
- Check choke and fast idle cam adjustment and operation.
- Check throttle cable adjustment.
- Verify ignition timing is correct.
- Verify dashpot disengages throttle lever at 1900-2100 RPM.
- Verify correct throttle body dashpot adjustment (if equipped).
- Check idle air control valve and ISC valve operation.
- Check air intake system for leaks or restriction.
- Check throttle cable adjustment.
- Check coolant temperature sensor resistance.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check airflow meter for cracks. Verify correct airflow operation and resistance value.
- Check ignition timing.
- Ensure correct choke adjustment and operation.
- Check ignition system for intermittent operation.
- Ensure idle mixture adjustment is correct.
- Check vacuum hoses for leakage and correct routing.
- Check PCV operation by clamping hose shut. If problem goes away, replace PCV valve.
- Check A/C cut-off system.
- Check altitude compensator valve operation.
- Check EGR valve condition and operation.
Fuel Injected Models (Cold)
- Ensure air filter element is clean.
- Check fuel filter for restriction.
- Check EGR valve condition and operation.
- Check for airflow meter or ISC valve malfunction.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check air intake system for vacuum leaks.
- Check coolant temperature sensor resistance.
- Verify correct throttle position sensor adjustment and resistance value.
- Check neutral switch (M/T) or inhibitor switch (A/T).
Fuel Injected Models (Warm)
- Check PCV system for restrictions.
- Check air valve or ISC valve for malfunction.
- Check connections at airflow meter or throttle body.
- Check operation of lock-up torque converter.
- Check coolant temperature sensor resistance.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct. Use ohmmeter to verify correct fuel injector resistance.
- Check throttle bore for dirt and carbon.
- Ensure fuel level is at specified mark on carburetor sight glass.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check fuel filter for restriction.
- Verify base timing is correct and advance system is functional.
- Check EGR valve operation.
- Check for restricted catalytic converter.
- Check ignition system for intermittent operation.
- Check carburetor mixture control duty cycle using dwell meter.
- Verify air filter is clean.
- Check fuel filter for restriction.
- Check vacuum switching valve operation.
- Check coil resistance.
- Check airflow meter for cracks.
- Check EGR valve and solenoid for correct operation (if equipped).
- Check purge control valve operation.
- Check airflow operation and resistance value.
- Check atmospheric pressure sensor.
- Check ignition system for intermittent operation.
- Check for restricted catalytic converter.
- Check Variable Resonance Induction System (VRIS) for correct operation (if equipped).
- Check Variable Inertia Charge System (VICS) for correct operation (if equipped).
- Verify crank angle sensor (permanent magnet type) has correct resistance values.
- Check A/C cut-off system (if equipped).
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Check turbocharger system (if equipped) for wear or malfunctioning parts. Turbo system inspection should include the following
- Turbo Precontrol
- Wastegate Control
- Turbo Control
- Charge Control
- Charge Relief
- Verify idle speed is correct.
- Verify correct throttle body dashpot adjustment.
- Check coolant thermosensor and throttle position sensor.
- Check air valve or ISC valve for malfunction.
- Check fuel pressure regulator.
- Check O2 sensor operation.
- Check throttle position sensor.
- Check airflow sensor operation.
- Verify base timing is correct and timing advance system is functional.
- Ensure air filter element is clean.
- Check neutral switch (M/T) or inhibitor switch (A/T).
- Check mixture control valve.
- Check pulse air injection system.
- Verify dashpot disengages throttle lever at 2700-2900 RPM.
- Check air cleaner reed valves.
- Verify no leaks exist in exhaust system.
- Verify base timing is correct and advance system is functional.
- Ensure air filter element is clean.
- Check throttle body dashpot adjustment (if equipped).
- Check coolant temperature sensor and throttle position sensor.
- Check air valve, ISC switch and idle switch operation.
- Check intake air system and throttle body electrical connections for vacuum leaks.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Verify no leaks exist in exhaust system.
- Verify correct carburetor idle speed and fuel mixture adjustment.
- Verify base timing is correct and timing advance system is functional.
- Ensure air intake system is unrestricted.
- Verify choke is fully open after engine is warm.
- Ensure fuel level is at specified mark on carburetor sight glass.
- Check carburetor mixture control duty cycle using dwell meter.
- Check injectors for leakage.
- Verify correct throttle body dashpot adjustment.
- Ensure correct throttle position sensor adjustment and resistance value.
- Check intake air and coolant temperature sensor.
- Ensure fuel system pressure is correct.
- Ensure exhaust system is unrestricted.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
- Check for restricted PCV system.
- Check turbo system for malfunction.
- Check metering oil pump (RX-7).
- Check for worn engine parts.
- Check engine oil and coolant level.
- Check turbo system (if equipped) for damage and wear.
- Check engine control system for malfunctioning components. System inspection should include following components
- Airflow Meter
- Idle Switch
- Vacuum Routing (For Leaks)
- Neutral Safety Switch (A/T)
- Clutch Switch (M/T)
- EGR Valve Position Sensor (If Equipped)
- Knock Sensor (If Equipped)
- Throttle Position Sensor
- Coolant Temperature Sensor
- Coolant Thermoswitch
- Inhibitor Switch (A/T)
- Electronic Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECAT) Unit
Intermittent Simulation
To reproduce conditions creating an intermittent fault, use the following methods
- Lightly vibrate component.
- Heat component.
- Wiggle or bend wiring harness.
- Spray component with water.
- Remove/apply vacuum source.
Monitor circuit/component voltage or resistance while simulating intermittent. If engine is running, monitor for self-diagnostic codes. Use test results to identify a faulty component or circuit.