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

81 fb problems

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Old 07-16-09, 11:41 AM
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NY 81 fb problems

Hello, i just picked up my first rx7 and its got some problems. any help would be greatly appreciated. first off i got this really annoying noise i don't know what it is
Second my head lights wont go up or down and turn on, i have no blown fuses i cleaned the grounds on the coil, because i heard that it would help or even get them working but they didn't. last but not least my car idles really low only when its normal operating temperature, this might sound dumb but i really cant find the idle screw, once again someone told me that the screw is on the carburetor near the firewall, i don't know if that is true that's just what i heard. here are some pics of the car:



Old 07-16-09, 11:51 AM
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I can't hear any videos on my this computer But I am going to guess that it is sort of a "Honking" noise.

If that is the case then it is the "Shutter" valve.

The low idle would be because of the shutter valve and no you don't need to adjust your idle. You need to fix the problem.

Do a search with the term Shutter valve as their are a lot of threads on that issue.


Regarding the headlamps. You have fusible links in the engine bay near the shock tower that supply power to the headlamp motors. You need to check those.

Also recommend that you download a copy of your year FSM.

Copy and paste the link in my signature for the Factory Service Manuals.

Last edited by Rx-7Doctor; 07-16-09 at 11:54 AM.
Old 07-16-09, 12:13 PM
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Thanks, I'm missing one of the brown wires on the fusible link.
Old 07-16-09, 02:55 PM
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If you do end up needing to adjust the carb, the best source for information on how to tune the Nikki can be found at Sterling's site (our resident stock carb expert). www.sterlingmetalworks.com

Good luck with your new love...



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Old 07-16-09, 03:07 PM
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will look forwad to your progress. the shutter valve is a common thing that leaves many 7 owners frustrated. it has a tendance to partly stick closed. you'll need to remove the carb and free it up or replace it.
Old 07-16-09, 05:56 PM
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or remove the emissions...

:AA:
Old 07-16-09, 08:35 PM
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For the lights

Try using a jumper cable between the battery ground and the shock tower

then it may be your combination switch
there is a good write up. If no one pipes up with it I'll post it Friday day
Old 07-17-09, 05:04 AM
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If the shutter valve is bad you can plug the large hose to stop its effect.
You need all the fusible links. You can replace them with modern type fuses. Check this thread for several options. https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/fuseable-link-conversion-403676/


Old 07-17-09, 06:53 AM
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The combination switch link as promised

http://intertron.com/ron/combo.html
Thanks to Ron Slabach

By the way nice looking car.
Old 07-17-09, 08:53 AM
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Of, you can try my greatly simplified method to fix the light switch, which seems to work about 98% of the time.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...dlight+cleaner
Old 07-17-09, 10:27 AM
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Worked for me. 2.5 years without brights, 20 minutes later they were working and haven't stopped.
Old 07-17-09, 10:38 AM
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Thanks for all the help guys, a few more questions though:

If I do plug the big line to the shutter valve, what will happen? It will obiously just stop working but will anything bad come from that? I kind of figured out the headlights yesterday too, I took some wire and connected the two I'm missing. They went down but won't come back up now, lol. I'm going to mess with the idle screw and the shutter valve, I'll let everyone know what happens, thanks again everyone.
Old 07-17-09, 11:40 AM
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Just took this video. Still think its the shutter valve? What would happen if I were to just block this off?
Old 07-17-09, 03:54 PM
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Almost definitely the shutter valve. The shutter valve is a butterfly in the intake manifold. It closes and shuts off the fuel air mixture going to the rear rotor during deceleration. If you plug that large hose and seal the hole in the bottom of the air cleaner, your car will run much better. Your defective shutter valve diaphragm is causing a rather large vacuum leak. This is probably why your idle is not right. Plug the hose before you start turning the idle adjustment or mixture adjustment screws or you'll just create more problems for yourself.
Old 07-17-09, 04:01 PM
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or you can remove the shutter valve or fix it. it could be seized partly closed and cause a nasty obstruction. i think ray green went through a similar issue
Old 07-17-09, 09:47 PM
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I plugged the hose and adjusted my idle a little bit and its fine now. All i have to do is get my head lights to turn on, and buy a steering wheel & hub. Thanks everyone with the shutter valve problem.
Old 07-18-09, 01:02 AM
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Anytime you get the "Honking" noise from the air cleaner area it is the diaphragm that has failed inside of the shutter valve.
Old 07-22-09, 02:13 PM
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Is it possible that the actual stem has broken? My headlights and tail lights don't work, I still haven't figured it out.
Old 07-24-09, 03:57 PM
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Any ideas anyone? Also my cluster isn't working either only temp and oil pressure.
Old 07-24-09, 04:17 PM
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well i tried turning on my head lights again and blew a fuse (tail illum) could that be from something wired wrong?
Old 07-27-09, 12:19 PM
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Old 07-29-09, 09:41 PM
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Anyone?
All my other lights work now but still no head lights.
Old 07-30-09, 06:33 AM
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Have you replaced the missing fusible link? Many times the terminals on the box and the links themselves will become corroded. Make sure these terminals are clean and corrosion free. Have you tried cleaning the combo switch yet?

There are four wires going into the plugs at the retractor motors.
WR -constant 12v
GY - runs between the LH and RH retractors (so they do the same thing)
R - 12v to this wire makes the retractor motors rotate up
RY - 12v to this wire makes the retractor motors rotate down.
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