1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

1983 rx7 doesn't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-06-09, 04:13 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
kickinwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1983 rx7 doesn't start

A friend of mine owns an 83 rx7, and one day we drove it to a night school class, it started fine there and when we left, but then the next morning it would not start. We are confused as to what it could be, we know it is starter related because we can still push start the car. We have crawled underneath the car to look at the starter, it doesn't click or anything when you try to start it so we tried cleaning battery contacts and the lot but still no luck. We also know the starter has been replace because it looks almost brand new and the wiring is kind a mish mash of stock and something a previous owner put together. If you could help us out that would be awesome, we will be going out later to work on the car and we are going to clean the contacts on the starter itself to see if that fixes our problem but if you can think of other things to put on the list of things to try that would be great. But for right now this is what we look like ->
Old 07-06-09, 04:22 PM
  #2  
Rotard

iTrader: (2)
 
Portland82GSL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Eugene, Or
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My 82 had a similar problem. I could push start it, but everything else was no dice. It turned out that one of the wires, I think the (+) had been chaffing against the underside and had worn through. I'd check the connections. You might just have a funky starter tho IMO.
Old 07-06-09, 07:27 PM
  #3  
Round and Round

iTrader: (10)
 
74RX4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Starter has three wires. 2 heavy gauge from battery and one smaller one with a female spade terminal. It should be connected to the male spade terminal on the top rear of the starter. The small B/y (B/w if automatic) wire comes from the ignition switch and is what triggers the starter when you turn the key. This wire falls off no click, no start. That's the one I'd check first since its simple.
Old 07-06-09, 08:31 PM
  #4  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
kickinwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 74RX4
Starter has three wires. 2 heavy gauge from battery and one smaller one with a female spade terminal. It should be connected to the male spade terminal on the top rear of the starter. The small B/y (B/w if automatic) wire comes from the ignition switch and is what triggers the starter when you turn the key. This wire falls off no click, no start. That's the one I'd check first since its simple.
Does it come off the switch or the starter itself?
Old 07-07-09, 01:34 AM
  #5  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
kickinwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
74rx4 nailed it, the wire he explained was undone just must have missed it, ended up getting the car started tonight and drove it to my house and boy is it a fun little car.
Old 07-07-09, 07:30 AM
  #6  
Round and Round

iTrader: (10)
 
74RX4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Make sure you squeeze that terminal a little, so it will stay on. Once it falls off it often happens again if you don't tighten the female spade.
Old 07-07-09, 11:53 AM
  #7  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
kickinwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
74rx4: Thanks for the heads up will definitely do that, when I slid it on it did click but I will squeeze it just to be on the safe side of things.
Old 07-07-09, 08:48 PM
  #8  
Full Member

 
sino305's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jacksonville,NC
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 74RX4
Starter has three wires. 2 heavy gauge from battery and one smaller one with a female spade terminal. It should be connected to the male spade terminal on the top rear of the starter. The small B/y (B/w if automatic) wire comes from the ignition switch and is what triggers the starter when you turn the key. This wire falls off no click, no start. That's the one I'd check first since its simple.
i wanna be just like you when i get older..lol..
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kyo
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
6
04-13-19 09:24 AM
PhillyFC
General Rotary Tech Support
9
08-21-15 06:36 PM
86glxNA
New Member RX-7 Technical
7
08-18-15 03:33 PM
86glxNA
New Member RX-7 Technical
3
08-15-15 01:45 PM



Quick Reply: 1983 rx7 doesn't start



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:19 AM.