'92 doesn't crank

Does the horn sound normal? Are the headlights bright? The battery is still the prime suspect. Next thing to try: clean the battery terminals.

Good ideas, thanks. I just checked, and yes they both are normal. The horn is loud and the head lights pop up as usual with the normal amount of brightness. I had cleaned the battery contacts before I put this battery in the car. It was new about 3 months before I went away, and they still look ok to me. Thanks, Mike

Are you pushing the clutch in? Sometimes I forget when I don't drive it for awhile. Otherwise, maybe it's the clutch pedal switch that prevents you from starting it unless you do push the clutch in. If it's an automatic (ugh), maybe it's the switch that prevents you from starting it except when it's in neutral or park.

Geary

Geary, thanks for the tip. My other cars are automatics, and the Miata is a stick. To tell the truth, I don't remember if I had the clutch in or not!. I'll check in the morning. Mike

And it's even possible that the clutch safety switch is stuck, just from sitting for several months.

duh... I put the clutch in, and Varoom, it started on the first turn of the key. I'm embarrased to even report it. Thanks a million. Mike

Mike-- Thanks for being honest in reporting what the solution was. While both my cars are sticks (and need the clutch depressed to crank), it would be easy to forget that if I only drove automatics. I suspect I won't forget now...nor will you! :)

Folks have told me that, regardless of the clutch interlock, it is a good idea to always crank with the clutch disengaged since (1) it takes a bit of a load off the starter because it doesn't have to spin the transmission and (2) it is safer.

Having said that, I remember riding with my dad (in a new truck--he sold trucks)a very long time ago (like the '60's) and having the engine die on a railroad track. While a train was not coming, and we could have easily pushed/gotten out, he just cranked the engine in first with the clutch engaged and, voila, we were off the tracks.

Good luck with the rest of your Florida stay...

Another Mike

An exception: on Miatas with beefed-up clutches, it's often recommended to disable the starter interlock because the extra force is hard on the thrust bearing before the oil pressure comes up.

You're not the only one to forget to do that, I wouldn't be surprised if almost everyone here has done that at least once* so don't be embarrassed.