Car ran great up until two days ago, started a bit cold (as it always has) but ran fine after a few turns on the key. Went out to start it and it would turn over but won't actually start up. I was low on gas so I went and put some in, still nothing. Pulled the plugs to test for spark, there was none. Cleaned the connections to the ignition, checked the distributor. Had a bit of moisture in the distributor. Still no spark. Possible voltage regulator? Would I still have lights?

Not sure where to go from here? Any ideas? Suggestions?

 

did you check if there is 12V going to the both trailing and leading coil's positive terminal?

 

As Mel said, check for voltage at the coils, and then check for spark on the trailing plug (you're grounding the plug shell when checking, right?) as well as the leading.

 

I think you have a bad ignitor. Before swapping and popping big $$$ for one, better eliminate the simple cheap to fix causes. Does the primary have a spark. You can 1/2 *** check it with a timing light.

Mazdatrix told me that the trailing plug is just for emissions. So just concentrate on getting one of the leading plugs to fire.

 

hopefully these will help.

http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/manuals/19...ingDiagram.pdf I noticed on the 80, the grounds on the coil go directly to the Ignitor, computer, and the body.

 

The reason I mentioned checking for spark on the trailing plug (which mostly is emissions related) is that it helps isolate where the failure is if you know that both ignition circuits, or only the leading, is out.

Oh, and the factory wiring diagram of the '80 is not 100% correct. It contains uncorrected errors with regard to the pickup coil and igniter box wiring. About drove me crazy at one point. It leaves off the condenser at the dizzy, the connector between the pickup coils and the igniter control box, the short harnesses that connect the individual J-105 igniters to the control box harness, & some other things if memory serves. It doesn't even tell you which igniter is leading and which is trailing!

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to you all. Thank you for your help, I live in a rainy state so it's no fun diagnosing car issues in a torrential downpour.

Pretty sure it's the ignitor, getting great power into it, but barely any from it to the coils. Couldn't help but notice that it says "Mitsubishi" on it.
Now, the big question is where the heck do I find one?

 

See if mazdatrix has them on their site. They were selling used-but-tested units in their "used" section.
Unfortunately, as you may have found out, these igniters are unique to the 1980 model.
DivinDriver is our 80 electrics guru, so he may have better ideas...


Stu Aull
80 GS
alaska

 

Thanks for all your help. I put a couple feelers out there to people I know who run RX-7 parts. One of my friends thinks he -may- have an extra laying around. Worse case I get to relive my childhood by junkyard hopping!

I'll let you all know if that's the fix when/if I find one. =)