I have a 2005 5-door Mazda 3 that I love.
I recently moved to Colorado and my Mazda 3 didn't like the cold weather we just got. It was in the single digits on Tuesday and it wouldn't start. I've had trouble starting it in very cold weather in the past, but usually it will start after a few tries. This time it didn't start. I tried again a little later in the day, and it started to catch, but then it seemed like it made a strange sound and stopped. When I tried to start it again I noticed that it sounded different than normal while cranking.
I waited until today, when it warmed up to the mid 40s to try again. It still sounds different than normal when cranking and it still won't start. It seems to try to catch every so often but it won't start.
I can hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds when I turn the ignition switch to the on position. With the oil cap off I can see movement when the engine is cranking.
I'm afraid I broke something when I tried to start it when it was so cold.
I'm not sure what to check next. Can anyone suggest what I should check before having it towed to the dealer?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

So first question. How old is the battery, and have you had it checked?

Other things to check would be troubleshoot the fuel pump, injectors, and sparkplugs. Also the starter.

If it just spontaneously started with cold weather I'd think it's more likely to be battery related, especially if you have an old battery.

 

icspots,
Thanks for the reply.
The battery isn't too old, and I get the same results when using jumper cables.
I can hear the fuel pump energize when I turn the ignition switch to the ON position, and I could smell gas after I tried to start it.
The plugs or injectors could be a culprit.
I am most worried about the sounds. When it first started to catch it made a strange sound, after which it sounded completely different when cranking. I'm really worried that something broke, or that the timing chain skipped a tooth or something.

Shawn

 

OK. Now I feel embarrassed, foolish and like a total noob.
I finally had my Mazda 3 towed to the dealer. They called me a short time later and told me the engine was just flooded.
When it was flooded it sounded so different than normal when cranking that I was afraid I'd damage it further if I kept trying to start it.
I'm really glad it wasn't something serious.

Shawn