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

the 7 stopped running and won't start

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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 05:34 PM
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From: Reno, NV
the 7 stopped running and won't start

the issue began after refueling, when idling at the 1st stoplight she abruptly raised the revs then stalled, this continued the rest of the day and only when not on the gas, off the gas idling or coasting in a lower gear she would buck and then stall
just as I got home she ceased running, in fact just before my parking stall, was a nice gesture on my 7's part lol, she got me home at least
she will not start now, thought fuel pump but after pulling the fuel lines she pumps just fine, cap and rotor look good, maybe both ignitors? I had just recently put msd blaster coils in, i'm stuck at the moment, might be shop time
any suggestions?
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 05:40 PM
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I would start with vacuum, then fuel.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 06:00 PM
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From: Reno, NV
Originally Posted by trochoid
I would start with vacuum, then fuel.
lol if only she would run the vacuum lines would be easy to check, but she won't even sputter at the moment, curious tho after cranking several times and pulling a plug, the plug was not wet ??? I did however pull one of the main fuel lines, after cranking it had soaked up the towel very well that it was on, so she is getting fuel there
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 06:30 PM
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Bad tank of fuel ? ? ? Sometimes you can get water or even condesation can build over time and eventually cause problems, When you disconnect the fuel lines and run it into a clear container do you find trash or water ?
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 06:34 PM
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Bad tank of fuel ? ? ? Sometimes you can get water or even condesation can build over time and eventually cause problems, When you disconnect the fuel lines and run it into a clear container do you find trash or water ? Unless you lost compression and you just worked on the ignition once you verify the fuel is indeed good and your spark is still there compression is all you can check.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 08:19 PM
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From: Reno, NV
the fuel looks okay, the 7 did run most of the day after the issue started, simply stalling at intersections and such, it would suck if she gave up the ghost
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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You didn't fill 'er up with diesel by mistake, did you? You wouldn't be the first one.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 08:54 PM
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From: Reno, NV
Originally Posted by Kentetsu
You didn't fill 'er up with diesel by mistake, did you? You wouldn't be the first one.
lol not unless they put diesel in the pump #7 I always use at the shell station..that would be just wrong!
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 09:31 AM
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1.Check the pressure on the fuel pump because although it pumps it may be weak,
2.Check the spark take the trailing off of the distributor let it rest next to distributor where you took it out from & have a buddy listen/watch for spark do the same for the leading. If you get spark then the ignitors are ok
3.Put a small capful of tranny fluid down the carb primary & secondaries let it sit then crank to see if you get the motor going.I have had that happen so thats what was taught to me by the old rotary guys now im one of the old roatry guys 40 & lovin rotary. also check the wires by the coils/MSD boxes. there arent many things that can cause a running car just to stall. Oh yeah check your fuel filter i had my car one start sputtering and cutting off and the filter was getting clogged couldn't go uphill & i was getting pissed decided to look at the fuel pump & saw the dirty filter. Anyway keep me posted if anything that i posted helped you

Last edited by MaxBoost13bRX; Sep 10, 2006 at 09:33 AM. Reason: error
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 12:15 PM
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From: Reno, NV
Originally Posted by MaxBoost13bRX
1.Check the pressure on the fuel pump because although it pumps it may be weak,
2.Check the spark take the trailing off of the distributor let it rest next to distributor where you took it out from & have a buddy listen/watch for spark do the same for the leading. If you get spark then the ignitors are ok
3.Put a small capful of tranny fluid down the carb primary & secondaries let it sit then crank to see if you get the motor going.I have had that happen so thats what was taught to me by the old rotary guys now im one of the old roatry guys 40 & lovin rotary. also check the wires by the coils/MSD boxes. there arent many things that can cause a running car just to stall. Oh yeah check your fuel filter i had my car one start sputtering and cutting off and the filter was getting clogged couldn't go uphill & i was getting pissed decided to look at the fuel pump & saw the dirty filter. Anyway keep me posted if anything that i posted helped you
I will try these suggestions thanks! the only one I can't do is the carb as my 7 is an SE, i'm curious though if my fuel pump was weak but still pumping, wouldn't my 7 start or at least sputter with fuel going in? and when the issue was happening I could drive on the freeway no problem, but she would stall if I came to a stop or buck if I let off the gas
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 02:19 PM
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I may be wrong about this but wouldn't the leading spark be more important than the trailling ? (I've runn my car with the trailling wire unhooked by accident) and saw very little issue. I would also think the fuel pump would be more of an issue at higher rpm not when comming to a stop. Since he's only installed some ignition modifacations and a fresh tank of gas I'd be looking there as water in the fuel will act just as he describes. Adding a moisture remover to the tank as well as an octane booter and getting into the next tank may sole everything.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 03:00 PM
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From: Reno, NV
okay I've got leading spark but nothing on the trailing. I do however believe the car would start without trailing? I will attempt the gas measures however it seems it may be an ignition issue
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Rotary Weasel
okay I've got leading spark but nothing on the trailing. I do however believe the car would start without trailing? I will attempt the gas measures however it seems it may be an ignition issue
I never had any issues with it starting or even noticed anything when the trailing was unhooked (a couple 140mph runs were made before I found the trailing wires off) do to a slight miss. Since you've worked on the ignition it deffinately a good place to start. You may want to go back to the original setup till you get it figured out. Like you saidd the only things different prior to the problem were ignition and fuel. The water addative for the fuel tank is cheap and may get you through the tank your runnig well enough to make the next fill up.
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Old Sep 10, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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From: Reno, NV
alright aquired a used dizzy and ignitors, thanks driftfb! got it all installed and turned her over..got a few sputters and puffs (didn't happen before the replaced dizzy) and then tons of fuel..easily flooded it..pulled the plugs put another set in..same thing puff puff sputter, and then the oddest noise coming from the housings..it's hard to describe..sounded like something scraping..then the 7 turned over very fast and absolutley nothing..last ditch effort, had a buddy push me to 20+ mph and popped her into gear..she ran for a brief second and died..had no control with the throttle, it would just sputter and quit..so she is parked and out of commission

Last edited by Rotary Weasel; Sep 10, 2006 at 08:24 PM.
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Old Sep 11, 2006 | 01:26 AM
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I'm not sure on the SEs, but 84 - 85 cars won't start the fuel pump unless trailing ignition is firing...
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