Car starting issues: car starts....eventually HELP
 

I got my 93 miata in august and it always has started right up. Then one day it wouldnt start and i found the plug for the fuel relay under the steerin wheel had somehow come unplugged. Plugged it in and she started right up. Yesterday it was the same sort of thing where itd just crank over but wouldnt fire. I checked under the dash and nothing was unplugged. Then i tried staring it again and it started after a bit of cranking. Ran fine once it had been running. Then this morning it took me 4 tries of cranking to get it to start. But it had no trouble starting once it had been run a bit during my errands. It has gotten a good bit colder since summer here idk if that'd affect it. But the car seems to be losing its fuel prime because it has trouble starting after its sat for a few hours, but has no trouble starting after it has been run recently.

Any ideas on what/why this is happening?

Sound like it's either a fuel or spark issue. Check out your fuel filter, then scope the pump.

Second,any issues noticed while driving? less power,sluggish at start etc?

no issues once it has started. just getting it started. The last 2 times i started it today after it had sat for 30min or more, i turned the key to the power only position and off and back on 3 times before i tried to crank it over in order to let the fuel pump prime the motor, and it started pretty much fine each time. its gonna sit for a few hours now cuz im going somewhere for the evening but i'll try it again when i come back.

it really seems like its just a priming issue cuz it runs perfectly once its started.

See if there's a difference when it has a full tank versus half or quarter tank. If there's no difference check your plugs. If the plugs are old or not gapped properly they will get fuel soaked from not firing and may take some time to dry (extended cranking) before it will start.

If it seems like a priming issue, I'd say the pumps on it's way out or you have a leak somewhere... but do the filter first, I had the same issue with my truck, and that pretty much took care of it.

-Jesse

do you have a cold start injector in that car?

nah its bone stock right now, so unless they were factory on these then no.

I have a few things i can check leak wise, but i think i should replace the filter anyway.

but taking the time to prime it seems to work, car just sat for 3-4hours and started right up when i did it.

and it was at a 1/4 tank when this first happened yesterday and i got gas then and it still does it.

pull a plug wire out of the well and hold it to the block... if it sparks then you know its a fuel problem... do you hear the pump come on? if not perhaps its the relay...

Check your fuel line pressure. If its not getting enough it will be hard starting. Also check your battery to see if its CCA's (cold cranking AMPS) are correct. If your battery is old and the CCA's arent up to what the car needs it will have a hard time starting in colder air.

That doesn't mean it is gapped properly.

Do Miatas have IAC valves? Any check engine lights?