I'll start with a story, because everyone likes them. My mate brought his RX8 over earlier (by tow), because it won't start.

Tried it myself and sure enough, it's dead. Cranks, but no go. Blasted some No Sweat (Easy Start, whatever you wanna call it) down the servo take off. Cranked and it breathed into life for a few seconds, then died, obviously.

Okay, so it's fuelling, no issues here. The fuel pump DOESN'T prime under ignition, or under cranking. Swapped out the relays incase it was a dud. Still no go, they don't click. Checked the fuse, nothing.

Don't have a wiring diagram so don't know what pin does what. But, guessed, and bridged the pump out. Can hear it whirring now, and guess what - it starts.

Runs for 10 seconds beautifully, then goes into Limp Home. Only revs to 5k, takes 4 calender days to get there, barely pulls up a hill, etc. Remove the key and wait 10 seconds, restart and it's fine, revs for 10 seconds then back into Limp.

Noticed the Oil Light was on - was empty. Filled it up and prayed no damage has been caused. (This wasn't me!) Read somewhere that no oil pressure means the ECU won't prime the pump. Still no go.

Disconnected the battery, can hear the TB doing an alignment, still no go. Revs then goes into Limp.

Engine management light is on, but I don't have a reader to check it out. The rear? lambda sensor cable is showing through the steath, clearly been rubbing on bumps, but since it's under the rear seats (ish), I assume it's not the front one so won't affect it, that much. Yet to go under it yet though. Wires do look intact though.

So, oil pressure is back, but the pump doesn't prime or stay running. Whats your thoughts?!

Yes, I'm aware this is a Mazda, but meh, you never know. People know all sorts and I like this forum!

Set fire to it.

You said that when the oil is low the ECU stops the car. Maybe the oil level sensor is duff? (is it the same sensor for the ecu as the dash?)

Is the pump sticking?

I remember some mechanic mates talking about this same thing , I seem to recall they said something like there was a procedure to follow with the dash buttons as its in a safe mode due to it bring run without oil for a Set time.

Also, probably not the best news, and hopefuly not at all relivent, but on these cars if they are ragged or run dry the engine is prematurely f*cked and will need a rebuild. its a pretty common thing on them (like hg on conventional motors).

What happened just before it stopped? Did it get airborn or had a knock? Could be a fuel cut out type deal? Or was it run dry and maybe over heated the pump?

I've thought about setting fire to it, but it's not really an option.

I read about sensor, but do not know for fact. It now has oil in it.

I hate people and their lack of knowledge about basic stuff - the dash has a pressure sensor. Surely you'd see it drop once and go "oh, fuck." They consume oil anyway, you'd think you'd check it every fill up. Monkies.

I have no idea about what happened, apparently it just cut out and wouldn't restart. And according to him "the oil light's come on a few times". I think it's terminal, tbf. I don't know why the pump doesn't prime though! That's a weird one..

Off to Mazda, I think. Let the "real" boys at it.

Really common problem with these engines, they flood up really badly, Put new plugs in.

While the plugs are out put your foot down on the throttle (tells the ecu to to kill the fuel) and crank for a minute or so should clean it out.

Then fit the new plugs.

Dont use easy start on these it kills them off quick

Can hear it whirring now, and guess what - it starts.

Runs for 10 seconds beautifully, then goes into Limp Home.

Really common problem with these engines, they flood up really badly, Put new plugs in.

While the plugs are out put your foot down on the throttle (tells the ecu to to kill the fuel) and crank for a minute or so should clean it out.

Then fit the new plugs.

Dont use easy start on these it kills them off quick

It runs?!..

Yer they sometimes do but they dont run for long as youve said it only runs for 10 seconds, keep on trying to start it and eventually it wont start at all