ms.rx7

I have searched the internet for two days for any good specs on what the engine of a first generaton rx-7 is supposed to look like. The manual and Haynes does not help much. I'm under the hood trying to figure out a starting problem (dead silence when I turn the key) and a noise coming from my center dash (but not heard under the hood). I have found various connectors not connected, my starter isn't where its supposed to be. I would even appreciate something that tells me how to clean my fusible link. How can I make sure all the connectors and fuses are right when I don't know what it's supposed to look like. Any manuals or books that would help me? Thank you!

MosesX605

Here's a couple of links that may help you:

http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/85_manual.html

This is the link for the '85 factory service manual, and it has a couple of good diagrams of the engine, not to mention the wiring diagram.

http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/

This site has all the wiring diagrams for the six years of 1st generation RX-7. If you download the proper year, you can trace all the connections and make sure everything is plugged in right.

Hope this helps.

JIMMY54

iTrader: (2)

You should use a test light and check for power at the starter.

The starter is located at the bottom of the tranny on the drivers side.

There should be 3 wires attached to it. 2 big cables for +12volts and one for ground. The other is a small wire that is connected to your ignition. This wire will have 12volts when you have the key in the engine start position.

That is the easiest way to check out your starter. The downside is that you have to jack up the car. Use jackstands and make sure the car won't fall, I don't trust that factory jack.

Metallic_rock

sounds like a dead battery to me...

ms.rx7

I wish it were as simple as a dead battery. When I turn the key on and the dash lights up and everything looks fine except for no sound of the car starting. I can do this probably 5 or 6 times and alll of a sudden it will just start up perfectly. The only other problem is the sound which happened after about 30 minutes of driving. It appears to come from the center console location but you can't hear it under the hood. It starts and gets louder and then quits for a while and then starts back up. It seems to get louder according to what rpms the car is doing. Otherwise, the car runs perfectly.
Also, thanks to the above answers which gives me suggestions and the link to the 1985 manual. I have an 1984 manual but it doesn't appear to tell me much.

Rx7carl

Sounds like you may have a bad ignition switch or a bad connection. Wiggle your fuses, or even better take each one out one at a time and reinstall it (that cleans the connection). Same with the fuseable links. If they were blown/bad, it wouldnt conduct any electricity.

Rx7carl

Double post sorry

rburrer

be sure to check that everything is grounded properly- I chased all kinds of problems(and bought a new battery) before I found a bad ground- even the main ground from the battery, or a ground to the engine may be bad- always check simple stuff first. old wires corrode and any braded aluminum wire cracks

Metallic_rock

hmm.. I wonder if the Bendix on the starter is going out... staying engaged while you are driving it. That would explain the noise while you drive.

get under the car and check out the starter to make sure all the wiring is hooked up properly. Have someone bump the starter to check and see if the solenoid is clicking. (it should be)

Pretty much, it sounds like either a wire fell off, wires are dirty, or your starter is going out. (lets hope against the latter)

ms.rx7

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and to say that it seems to have been a corroded fusible link. I took it off and cleaned it with contact cleaner. That was about 3 days ago and I haven't had any trouble or sounds since. Thanks alot!