My dad passed away and I inherited his 1983 Mazda Rx7 and I want to restore this, I know next to nothing about these things. I went out to start it and I had obviously flooded the thing, but I let it sit awhile and tried to start it again it was turning over and firing then it was sounding like it was turning over but only the cooling was turning, I let off the key for a second then after a few seconds I tried again and the dash lights come on but nothing else happens no sounds, doesn't turn over, nothing happens at all. Someone told me I may have over heated the starter and burned up a relay? I'm wondering if anyone can help me out maybe has a better idea of what is going on and also where is the best place to find parts for her?

 

It sounds like you have a bad ground to the starter caused by the initial stater engagement and a bit of heating from cranking.

You could try cleaning up the connections to the starter (a ground, a hot wire and a switch wire) and the battery terminals, if the car has been sitting for some time you should do this anyway.

Also put a voltmeter (or battery charger) on the battery to be sure it has a good charge, which it probably does since it was able to turn the engine over before you lost the starter circuit.

Parts are generally available from rockauto.com.

Let us know how it goes, sounds like you have a worthy project.

Also you can pm me if you have specific questions, I have a couple 83's, my favorite year for the 1st gens.

 

Sorry about the slow response.. thank you very much, I got to hear her actually come to life today!! I'm glad it was simple I was afraid I might have done some serious damage!!

 

You have to pay us with pics of your car when you get help. Forum custom. LOL

 

Yes, pics are required and videos are great.

Also prayers to the Rotary Gods help.

 

The interior is shot so I'm not gonna show that yet, I'm picking up interior this weekend tho so once I have that in I'll send more pix, I got in contact with a good body and paint guy I know also but it'll be a while before I get that far but I don't like that hood scoop and he can fix that and I'm going to have it painted, it's a project and I have a ways to go but I think it's pretty sweet!!

 

Very pretty, give that thing a good pressure wash and it might not need a paint job.

What's the deal with the hood scoop?

 

I'm not sure the exact story on it but it had an after market filter on it and it stood to high for the hood to shut so I'm not sure if my dad or who but a hole was cut and the welded a scoop on the hood out of scrap metal and in my opinion I think it looks stupid and and the weld job is really crappy

 

Great project, little bit of love you're going to have the most fun you can have in a 35 year old car!