Miata Mailing List: April 1996, Message #205
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   From: Dlralt@aol.com
Subject: Re: Heat Stroke Part Deux...
   Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 21:18:59 -0500

Harry,

What has to be done is a series of voltage drop tests. An accurate voltmeter
has to be hooked from the positive terminal of the battery to the large cable
on the starter. When the car is cranked, any voltage that shows on the
voltmeter is voltage that is finding it easier to go through the voltmeter
than the cables to the starter. Preferably shouldn't be more than .3 volt. Do
the same from pos terminal of battery to the wire on the starter that
energizes the solenoid. 
You can do the same test to check the voltage drop on the ground circuit.
Connect your DVM from negative post on the battery to the case of the starter
and crank it (or attempt to). If these tests show no more than .3 volt drops,
wait 'til the problem occurs and repeat the tests. If the battery is in good
shape and the volt drops are OK, you may have gotten a second bad starter.
Was it a Mazda starter? If not, aftermarket rebuilds are notoriously bad,
other than the big names like Bosch. Hope this helps!

bill
Dealer Alternative
1-800-FLY-MX5S