Hi Malcolm,

You haven't said how old Fi's car is, but older MX-3s (say up to '94)
do seem to suffer from distributor problems. Newer cars, I believe,
were given improved ones. The point of failure is believed to be
the "ignitor", a power transistor built into the unit. The coil is
also built in, so a new one isn't cheap. Some people get rebuilt
units from N.America (e.g. via EBay) but the durability of these is
suspect - lots of posts on MX-3.com (good site, just SEARCH
on "disty") saying - "It can't be
my disty again, I had a "new" one 5,000 miles ago".

The symptoms you've described match those of the many sufferers
who've reported them - and they all seem to be cured with a new
disty. Having said that, no guarantees, its the most likely cause,
but not the only one.

I have got a copy of Vol 1 of the Workshop Manual (anyone want to
sell Vol2?) so get back to me if it doesn't work.

Ian
--- In mazdamx3ownersuk@..., "malcy_p"
<malcolm.r.pearce@t...> wrote:
> Hello guys/gals!
>
> New to the group as of tonight, but wonder if you can help me...
Just
> started seeing a lovely girl called Fi who drives an sexy red MX3
v6.
> Recently she's been having a problem where the car will just cut
out
> whilst driving. She broke down at the weekend (well, the car did -
> not her!) and when we went to collect the car on Sunday the
following
> happened.
>
> She got in, tried to start the car. It turned over fine, fired up,
> revved up to about 2k rpm then died. This was very repeatable. I
> opened the bonnet and tried to look knowledgeable whilst wiggling a
> few connectors. I got her to try it again and it fired up and ran
> perfectly - until today when it cut out on her again. She got the
car
> home but now she's scared to use it in case it leaves her
> stranded.... I know it's a long shot, but do you know of anything
on
> the MX3 that might cause this?
>
> I'm not seeing her again until Thursday when I'll check out the
> problem more thoroughly... It sounds like something electrical -
bad
> connection/earth etc? Any ideas gratefully accepted - or pointers
to
> help forums etc???
>
> Thanks guys - she'll think I'm *really* great if I can sort this
for
> her...! ;o)
>
> malc
> P.S. Please reply to malcolm.Pearce@e... as I'm away
> from home all week but can get e-mail on this address...