89 Mazda trouble starting
I have a 1989 Mazda626. After not driving it for a few days, I drove about 1.5 miles, stopped and shopped for about 10 minutes. When I tried to start my car, the engine would not "turn over." It made a noise (more than a click), so the battery was not dead. I tried about 5 times, then I left the car alone for about 20-30 minutes. It still did not want to start, but I tried depressing the gas petal and letting off real quick, and it finally started.
I drove to my mechanic's shop and he had me turn the engine on and off about 5 times in a row. Everything went well.
A friend said that the alternator may be the problem. So I am wondering if there is a test to check this. I do not want to get caught away from home with a car problem.
Yesterday was an unexpectedly cold day where I live: I think the high was around 31 degrees. So the rapid and significant temperature drop may have played a role. My mechanic said lots of people were having trouble with their cars.
Besides the alternator, are there other problems that may have caused these symptoms? Any suggestions about what I should do next will be appreciated.
BTW, last week I had my mechanic change the oil, fuel filter, PCV value, check all the fluids, and get some corrosion off the battery.
Thanks for replying, urmod4u
If I remember correctly, this car does not have a carburator. I think it's fuel injected, if that helps.
Nice to know that when the battery is not discharged, the alternator is not the culprit.
By the way, I don't completely understand this since I had a friend tell me yesterday that the alternator on his car died when he was driving. So, did his battery become discharged while he was driving and then the alternator died, too? He is not too knowledgeable about cars, so he could be incorrect about what was wrong, but I think a replacement alternator cured his problem. He mentioned that they had to use jumper cables to start his car so he could take it to a mechanic, who replaced the alternator.
Thanks for your suggestion, urmod4u