Mazda MX-3 won't start

[TominMO]

In my apt parking lot today I was trying to help some guys get their MX-3 to start. It has a new alternator, and they just bought a new battery, thinking that was the prob. Turning the ignition key gets no response--dash lights and clock don't even come on. Checked the fuses under the dash and in the engine compartment, all look good.

My guess is bad ignition switch, and I told them that. Yesterday it worked fine, today nothing. Can you think of anything else to try or is it the switch?

(Mods feel free to move this to General Discussion if it's not appropriate here.)

[eurotiva]

My motto....Don't overlook the obvious.....Make sure they didn't install the battery backwards....Then check all connections on the starter, and alt. Then try the key wiggle test...If you have a test light start at the batter yand follow the power and see where it stops....i.e. at the alt, or starter....Call me if you need to, I'm at work but get off in an hour. Hope this helps.

[TominMO]

Thanks Greg; I'll go check it out tmw. Battery is not backwards BTW. And prob came up when they had the old battery in. Oddly enough the headlights do come on, but nothing on the dash.

[sanjeet]

It is probably the IGN s/w, I had a similar problem with my Festiva and I can't remember what I did, possibly the screws that hold the s/w together had become loose, the battery should be OK as the headlights are fed separately so your hazard s/w should work as well.

Eurovita is onto it, when my Festiva broke down the AA (Automobile Association) serviceman said the switch needed replacing that's when I found it was mechanical rather than electrical fault and that was about 3 years ago

[TominMO]

Yeah, I think it's ignition really, but I'll go through the motions and check other stuff. I'll pull off the cover and have a look at the switch; maybe there's something obvious loose, like a broken solder point or something. Plus if I can't get it working I can go JYing with it in hand to compare. New ones are ~$270 from Rock Auto. These are a coupla Hispanic guys who are non-rich, so I'm trying to help them out.