Trxs

Hello, I have a 79 rx7 5 speed, I believe it is all stock besides having some sort of wide body kit on it. I just purchased it a few weeks ago and it was trailered to me . I don't know much about its history other than it has been sitting and getting quite rusty for about ten years maybe more. I turned the engine over by hand and the carb seems relatively clean but I haven't done any preparing to start it because I am having some sort of electrical problem. Basically nothing seems to have power when I turn the key, no noises, no lights nothing happens. I have been playing with a test light but getting funny results, I connect the ground on the test light to the negative battery terminal and get power when touching anything made of metal. Like when touching the surface of the alternator with the poker end the light shines as if I were touching a hot wire. Almost all wires make the light shine key on or off. The positive battery cable goes directly to the fuse able links and starter correct? I am 99% sure the battery is not on backwards but I guess I could be wrong? What would be the consequences of reversing the terminals to see if they are on backwards? As far as I can tell the fusible links are all fine but I am really confused between the weird actions of the car with the test light and not having any reaction when turning the key. I appreciate any and all help.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

welcome to the board.

sounds to me like the poles were reversed.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-wires-800307/

Trxs

Thank you, what do you mean by poles being reversed? Like cables on wrong battery posts?

Trxs

Oh I see that is a link I understand now, I did some reading and I'm not sure that my battery had any chance to reverse its polarity but I suppose it could be possible, unfortunately if it is reversed it has been hooked up for over a week and will be until tomoro evening because I am going out of town and won't have time to stop by the shop. Is there any chance that all the electric in the whole car isn't screwed from the reverse polarity of the battery? Or is the battery likely dead now?

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

sorry. let me clarify. i was saying i think you put the cables on the wrong poles/terminals. i based that conclusion solely on the fact that you said you were able to close the test light circuit on the body of the alternator and "anything metal", only the positive terminal should cause that, not the negative/ground.

i suspect if something were going to burn, you would have known it by now. however, that's pure speculation on my part. the car has obviously been modified. i've never owned a '79, but i would imagine the only things that would stay on (on an untouched car) without the key would be the clock (if equipped with one). so i think every other circuit would need you to actively close it one way or another.

do you have a FSM? also, try to get one of those test lights that give you current direction (forward lights up green, reverse lights up red). they're cheap and worth it.

when you get back to the car, check the cables for correct placement again. check the fusible links again and check the fuses in the fuse box. once you establish power in the car, then i would advise taking to the time to go through bit by bit checking for signs of damage. as i said, chances are you're fine, but don't take my word for it.

Trxs

I have an interesting update, it doesn't really make any sense to me, so I checked the battery and I had not put it on backwards or gotten the cords and terminals messed up, so I figured that I may have somehow reversed the polarity of the battery and figured that if I did I would just have to switch the cords to the wrong terminals and it should correct the problem. The results I got are what makes this interesting, just like before the test light is lighting up when I touch any metal but the terminals are switched! So it doesn't seem to matter what way I have the battery hooked up whenever I connect the ground clamp to the terminal that has the ground cable going to it the test light will light up whether or not the ground cable is connected to the positive or negative terminal on the battery. My mind is blown and I am really confused I took the battery out and am going to try a new battery tomorrow but I think the results will be the same and I have no clue what is wrong or how to fix it. If anyone has had any experience like this I'd be glad to know that I am not alone. Thanks ahead of time.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

you're right. that doesn't make sense.

trace the cables back and see where each of them terminates. make sure there's no short at the starter body.

Trxs

A little good news,
I followed the battery cables back and found something weird, it seems that one of the cables that was connected to the positive terminal that was supposed to be a ground, it was the ground to the engine. So I swapped that back over to the ground I then got some power to the vehicle that is useful and got a few dash lights . I believe the wiring is still a little funky..
The test light problem is no longer there, it is acting normal now.
When I turn the key on the gauges are acting weird the rpm gauge bounces around 3500 rpms. And one of the lights popped up and stayed, besides that nothing really works electrically.
I am going to search around for some wiring diagrams and try to figure out what else is messed up I found some wires that seem to be cut or chewed or something. I am going to try and search the forum but I won't refuse any help, I have a hard time finding things when searching on forums sometimes.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

consider the fact that you still have a car and i'd say it's stupendous news! cars have burnt to a cinder for much less.

good job. get the FSM: Foxed.ca
it might not hurt to get a Haynes manual as well.

Trxs

Thanks for all the help and the links, I am debating on what to do with this car because it has quite a bit of rust but besides that it is in good shape, how safe is it to replace the unibody frame rails from the front wheel well to the rear on one side? Can I just use a thick piece of rectangular tube?l

Jutta_J

hello,
My RX7 is an 1980 which I think is pretty much the same as yours. The rust may not be as bad as you think because some cars have been restored after sitting with weeds growing through them. I'm getting some encouragement so I hope you find the appropriate electrical help you need.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

i would advise posting this as it's own thread either in the Gen I section or the Fabrication section, though i think the Gen I section will get you more attention. maybe even start a build thread.

i obviously don't know what kind of fabrication experience and skillset you have, so you should probably have some clear, high resolution photos of the areas you are referring to ready to post along with the questions.

in my time on this forum, i've seen guys do absolutely amazing things to bring some of these cars back to life, so i am confident someone will be able to help you.

Trxs

Ok, as soon as I can I will start a new thread, I would love to get this car back up and running down the streets again. Actually I had plans of possibly building this one for my girlfriend if I can do so reasonably and I want to finish my t2 for myself because I like to go fast the biggest challenges I am facing are time and money because I have a lot of projects going on right now. Anyways I haven't made it out to the car to mess around again yet but hopefully soon.!



Not the best pic but the white one is the one I am referring to in this thread (obviously lol) then the next in line is my turbo 2 then my del sol and in the background is my jeep xj on half ton axles and 35s

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

tell me about it. i think if you polled most of us, that would be the case.