Stupid Miata!!!

Yup, 3/4 of a tank. We topped it off before the autocross.

UPDATE!!!

Compression is still there, cams still turn.

NO spark (from either coil)

NO fuel (plugs are totally dry)

So what died, the cam angle sensor?

P71 wrote: UPDATE!!! Compression is still there, cams still turn. NO spark (from either coil) NO fuel (plugs are totally dry) So what died, the cam angle sensor?

Are all the wires intact leading to the CAS? Could it have been jarred loose overa weekend of autox? Do CAS's just "go"?

P71 wrote: engine goes boink-boink

I think I see the problem.

I checked the wires to the firewall, nothing loose, nothing broken. I unplugged all of the plugs, shot some electronic connector cleaner in all of them (the o2 sensor one was oily!) and plugged everything back in.

Conversely, I don't hear the fuel pump either.

P71 wrote: (the o2 sensor one was oily!)

you have oil in your exhaust?

fuel pump not making noise though, sounds like an electrical issue, did you test the battery for voltage? maybe the alternator went out and then the battery slowly died.

No oil in the exhaust. The connector for the o2 sensor was oily. I don't see any leaks on the engine, but the VC gasket looks to have been replaced so it could have been residue from an old leak.

Battery is a 1-month old Optima Yellow-Top and has plenty of juice.

Have you checked all the fuses?

I checked the little box under the hood. Are there others?

In reply to P71:

Above your clutch foot under the dash is another fuse box. I don't think they are engine related though.

I just checked those as well. All good.

I just get the feeling that this is one of those horrible "while I was in there" tasks that will wind up with me shoe-horning the 401 into the damn thing...

Common failure points that could cause no fuel/no spark:

• wires to the cam angle sensor. They flex as the engine moves, and if one has developed a crack then you won't get fire or fuel.

• main relay. Easy to check, so I'd start here. As I said, I've never seen one let go while the car was running.

Keith,

Where is the main relay and how do I check it?

P71 wrote: We drove it all weekend, put about 250 miles on it. Audra and I got 8 autocross runs each with it. *3 miles from home* it quit.

So, uh, it gave you faithful and fun service all weekend and nearly got you all the way back home before it finally let go? Sounds to me like a good car. It could have stranded you a lot farther from home... Or broken on the way to the event, denying you all eight autocross runs...

I think this glass is half full, not half empty.

David

It won't be a "half full" experience until I figure out what is wrong and fix it...

Tis the cam angle sensor. Took a 150 bones at a mechanic to "confirm" my diagnoses. Suck. I found a complete head (with sensor) locally for $250 that I'm going to try first. 9 freaking days into unemployment and 3 miles from home...

or isellmiataparts.com

Yikes! That's an expensive mo-fo.

Woot! Going to pick up new 1.6 Miata head complete with sensor. BRB

If you just swap the cam angle sensor, make sure to slap a new o-ring on it first. Those things like to leak as you've probably seen.

I dropped off the new (used) CAS and a new o-ring (that Keith had already talked me into) to the mechanic for install. He promised to anoint it in holy oil first so it will work.

Anybody need a complete 1.6L Miata head with cams and no CAS?