Learn the Hard Way

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:33 pm

I have bought a wrecked 1998 NB MX5, firstly in the hopes to see if it was worth fixing up and getting back on the road (pretty sure it isn't now that I have pulled the front off it) and if not to pull apart to sell bits off and gain a bit of mechanical knowledge on the way.

Have got the engine fired up and purring like a kitten, but have a wee problem, in that when I let the clutch out, the engine shuts down. I don't know whether on the NB's there is some sort of clutch sensor for starting that you have to have your foot on the clutch to start it (that's what I have to do on my STi) and that is playing up, or whether it might have something to do with the alarm (it is doing all sorts of weird things at the moment, but haven't got around to seeing out to pull it out).

The rear wheels are off the ground, and it isn't stalling or anything, just shutting down like the key was turned off. Any ideas. You will need to speak to me slowly as well, as my mechanical knowledge is just about zip, that's why I am giving this a go in the first place.

Also, it has Bilstein shocks in it front and rear, was this standard on the NB or are these after market.

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:34 pm

It'll will buff out?

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 1:36 pm

Er, maybe not

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:28 pm

Is this the one that was on TradeMe not long ago, and had been up for a few weeks?

It sounds like a transmission issue to me, are you sure it's not somehow locked in gear and therefore stalling when the clutch is disengaged?

last_resort14 · Post by **last_resort14** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:29 pm

All mx5s were fitted with a clutch switch, whether it was needed or not. First bet would be unplug that or bridge it out and see what happens

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:38 pm

Mr. Shine wrote:Is this the one that was on TradeMe not long ago, and had been up for a few weeks?

It sounds like a transmission issue to me, are you sure it's not somehow locked in gear and therefore stalling when the clutch is disengaged?

Yes, it's the one from Trademe, not its not locked in gear, it free wheels ok in netural and locks up when a gear is engage, and is defiantly not stalling, it's an electronic engine shutdown.

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:38 pm

last_resort14 wrote:All mx5s were fitted with a clutch switch, whether it was needed or not. First bet would be unplug that or bridge it out and see what happens

Is the plug obvious to find and unplug?

2low2c · Post by **2low2c** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:21 pm

the switch on the clutch peddle is just telling the ecu that it is depressed and is doing the same job as the nuetal switch in the gear box

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:05 pm

Found the switch, pulled it out, couldn't start the engine with the clutch in or out, plugged it back in, starts up with the clutch in, bridged it, and it runs with it in or out, so guess that is the problem, bets me why, unless the ECU is having a hissy fit over something.

Anyone got any idea's on the Bilsteins in it?

thebears · Post by **thebears** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:14 pm

Donovan wrote:
Anyone got any idea's on the Bilsteins in it?

Are they yellow, as standard on my 1994

Born_disturbed · Post by **Born_disturbed** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:54 pm

Pretty sure they are standard on the early 6 speed models and some of the later ones

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:48 pm

thebears wrote:
Are they yellow, as standard on my 1994

Yeah, they are yellow ones.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:31 am

1998s came standard with bilsteins, 6 speed box and a 3.9 Torson Diff

A/C and P/S Were factory options

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:33 am

Can it go into gear with the clutch in?
Or is it not fully poping into gear?

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:19 pm

Clutch lining could be seized on the flywheel. Depending on how long the car had been sitting.
Have you tried starting it in gear? the sudden lurching may free up the clutch.

If the chassis rails are undamaged the car should be easily fixed.

sprsta · Post by **sprsta** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:24 pm

Growler wrote: If the chassis rails are undamaged the car should be easily fixed.

that chassis is most definately bent

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:37 pm

Goes into gear ok, no worries there.

I don't know anything about panelbeating, but I would have to agree with Cole, and say that the chassis rails are bent. The guy's teenage son lost it in the wet in a residential area and went thru a fence into a tree, but I am guessing from the damage, that he might have been doing a tad over 50km/h when it happened.

Sticker on the drivers door says it is a RS Special Edition, so guess that is why is had the Bilsteins in it, dunno what else those came with over an above the normal MX5. It has a suspension strut in the front as well.

old scrubber · Post by **old scrubber** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:07 am

before you dismantle it for parts, get a panel beater to have a look, he may be able to put it on a chassis machine and pull it staight , i have seen worse damage come out ok,see if you can do a cash deal with him, cheers

Brainflex · Post by **Brainflex** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:17 am

what about using it as a donor car for one of these?

www.exocet.co.nz

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:01 am

Brainflex wrote:what about using it as a donor car for one of these?

www.exocet.co.nz

Yeah, it is tempting for either seeing if the chassis could be straightened or doing one of the exocet kits, but I already have 5 (not counting this wreck) cars around the place in various locations, I think a 6th one would be most likely the one that puts the wife over the top.

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