Car troubles (starting)
 

My mom just got a new car and I want to fix up her old Rx7 1.1 The starter works but when you turn it over i lose the power to the starter. But when it isnt there is power to it.

Also 2 struts, (im pretty sure) I are out both on the left side. how much $ and how hard are these to fix?

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.
There are some tools at your disposal on this forum that are critical to your learning.

One is the FAQ's, the other is the archives and then there is the search feature. All of these you need to become familar with.

I'll guide you for now on your no start.
First thing you need to do is disconnect your battery cables at the battery and use a battery brush to clean them with. The reason for this is if there is corroision around the terminals and or posts the battery voltage/amps will not travel down the cables.
Also check to make sure the ground is clean and tight where it joins the body. this is about halfway down the negative cable to the motor.
After those are checked and you have inspected the connections on the starter. If it still does not start. If you have a battery out of another vehicle that will FIT with the cables on the CORRECT sides then try it. What generally is happending is that the battery is either discharged or has a weak cell. When you turn the key the starter needs between 10.2 and 9.6 volts minimum with a specified amount of amps. Usually around 85-95amps. With a bad cell the voltage will drop well below that and the starter nor anything else will function at that time.
As far as strut cost. Need to check local auto parts or mazdatrix or shoxs.com and other places for cost. As far as the install goes, do a search in the FAQ's or archives. And remember after the strut install it will need a frontend alignment.

You might want to make sure that the engine is capable of turning over too. Just grab the front pulley (big on on the bottom) and try to rotate it. If it does not move, then the engine may be broken or carbon locked. If carbon locked, look for PowerFoam at Napa and do a search on how to use it. Welcome to the forum...

and when you try and spin it with the big pulley, make sure you spin it clockwise. dont want those rotors spinnign backwards, and welcome to the club!!

P.S. there are sooo many of us from michigan, i wish the mirotary club was cool like this place.

LOL, didn't even notice the location. PC, what happens if you rotate the motor backwards? I thought that was not a big problem, so I'm curious. Back Woods; where are you located?

I can bump start it and it fires right up and runs well.

Also if I hook a jumper pack to the started it will turn. Every once and a while it will start up with out push starting.

Im up in nothern michigan. Im not really an import kind of guy. I drive a 3/4 ton chevy and live out in the country.

Yeah, start with your battery cables. They may need to be replaced because they are prone to corrosion along their entire length. Good luck with it.