I have a '95 Miata M-Edition with 177,000 miles and an automatic transmission. After being stored for a few months, the car wouldn't start. The battery would not hold a charge, so I replaced it. After installing the new battery, it still won't start. There is no cranking, no dashboard lights, nothing. What should I be checking next?

shift solenoids or low /thin oil
when was the automatic last serviced
the engine check light should be on to read the stored fault codes

Would start by checking linkage or the cable that runs to tranny. Tranny fluid level is correct? Check fluid level first. Run 15-20 mins and check with motor warmed and running

Your alternator might be bad also, or the crank sensor

The auto transaxle/differential fluid and filter should be changed every 30,000 miles or 24 months. The transaxle fluid and differential lubricant use the same Dextron III automatic transmission fluid. If you have a three speed automatic transaxle, the transaxle differential has a separate lubricant supply that should be checked every 15,000 miles or every 12 months. By the way........ see if there is a Half Price Books or other used book store in or near your town. I find used repair manuals like Hayes or Chiltons for $8.00 or less all the time. Hope this helps. Dano

If your automatic transmission fluid has not previously been changed, it would be a good idea to change the fluid at this point. With 100,000 miles on the transmission, it would also be a good time to drop the transmission pan and change the internal filter, too. That's a messy job, and one that I have started paying people to do--good thing you only do it about every 75,000-100,000 miles.

Ordinarily, it's a pretty good idea to change the transmission fluid every 50-60,000 miles, especially if you do a lot of start and stop driving or especially if you use your vehicle to tow anything. Fresh transmission fluid will probably help your truck shift a bit more smoothly. More importantly, the fresh dose of lubricants and the like will reduce wear on the transmission bands. I'd rather change my fluid more often than have to rebuild my transmission. With proper maintenance, though, your transmission should last well past 150,000 miles; I've seen Toyota transmissions with well over 200,000 miles on them with fluid changes as their only maintenance. Some have made it close to 300,000 miles with only fluid and filter changes, but I wouldn't count on that for the average transmission.

It's listed in your owner's manual. Schedule A is normal driving conditions.
SCHEDULE "A"
7,500 miles (12 000km) or at 6 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

15,000 miles (24 000km) or at 12 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

22,500 miles (36 000km) or at 18 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.

30,000 miles (48 000km) or at 24 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (4.7L).

37,500 miles (60 000km) or at 30 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill transfer case fluid.

45,000 miles (72 000km) or at 36 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Flush and replace engine coolant at 36 months, regardless of mileage.

52,500 miles (84 000km) or at 42 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at 46 months.

60,000 miles (96 000km) or at 48 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace ignition cables (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

67,500 miles (108 000km) or at 54 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.

75,000 miles (120 000km) or at 60 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Drain and refill transfer case.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if required.

82,500 miles (132 000km) or at 66 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.

90,000 miles (144 000km) or at 72 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

97,500 miles (156 000km) or at 78 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.

105,000 miles (168 000km) or at 84 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000 miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace if required.

112,500 miles (181 000km) or at 90 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid and filter (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect front wheel bearings.
- Inspect brake linings.
- Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been 30,000 miles (48 000km) or 24 months since last change.

120,000 miles (192 000km) or at 96 months
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Replace engine air cleaner filter.
- Replace ignition cables (5.2L/5.9L).
- Inspect PCV valve, replace as necessary.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Inspect auto tension drive belt and replace as necessary.
- Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid (4.7L).

Thanks for using FixYa -a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

There is probably an updated software download, and a testdrive to set the shift parameters. You could try them first, but it sounds like the trans has gone south. Good luck...

probably a rear wheel bearing, jack up car and block it up, grap each wheel and shake firmly if a wheel wiggles
the wheel bearing is worn out.

no transmission oil. It uses good old gear oil. check with your local parts store for the correct weight.

Drained the old gas from the gas tank and refilled it with new, also replaced the gas filter and charged up the battery.