Hey folks, longtime lurker here and I need a bit of help with an ’84 GSL-SE I’ve been trying to fix up.



In general, the engine turns over with the key, but won’t start. Sounds like fuel isn’t getting to the engine, and it will run for a few seconds off of starting fluid.

Here's the most recent video I have about trying to start the car. There was some starting fluid sprayed in.


For a bit of context, my dad bought this 7 off of a flipper that briefly mentioned having electrical problems. About 5 years ago, my dad and I took it to a place for inspection where it failed as the whole passenger headlights and turn signals stopped working. After that, due to life reasons the car has sat for 5 years and that’s where we get to the starting problems.



I’m not that well versed with cars and restoration, so I’ve been trying to learn as I go. The work I’ve done to try and diagnose the problem has been draining the gas tank and putting in about 4 gallons of new gas, replacing the fuel filter and fuel pump, had the injectors cleaned by RC Fuel Injection, and have been using a fresh battery. Results have all been the same where it turns over, but does not start.



Before the car sat for a long time, it ran as great as an old car could without any idling, power, and temp problems. There are some things I should have checked already, but here’s what I’ve checked: Fuel line @ the engine is pumping out fuel, and the spark plugs don’t look fowled and as mentioned do seem to get spark whenever the car briefly runs on starting fluid. I haven’t done a fuel pressure or volume check, and at some point I did connect the new fuel pump too loose and it did leak out a bit of fuel. I was wanting to know if those issues (and my stupidity) could be the problem before doing something like a compression check, or if the engine could also just be flooded or not have enough gas in the tank.



We’ve spoken to someone else who owns some 1st gens, and they thought it might be something due to the Mass Airflow Meter or the Circuit Opening Relay? Apparently he knew of the previous owner and said that the owner apparently kept having to “jump” the car with the COR. Not sure how to test if that’s the problem, would that just involve and Ohmeter? Makes me think the problem is some electrical work that was shoddily done.



I’ve been scouring the forums and haven’t found anything that matches up with how my 7 is acting, but I very much could just be looking at the wrong thing, misinterpreting something, or just forgetting to do a basic check. Any help I’m grateful for, thank you for taking the time to read my long essay!



Notes: -New Pump is a Delphi CFD0030 -New Fuel Filter is a Duralast FF6000DL -Denso Injectors (is that OEM?) refurbished by RC Fuel Injection. Their testing did show them to be faulty, but the same problems persist after they fixed them up.

 

I'm the the one your dad texted. You gave me that red Hot Wheels REPU. Looking at it in my office right now.

Try the diagnostic jump on the passenger side. Take a piece of wire and jumper the connector. The will allow the fuel pump to run with key-on regardless of the throttle body flapper. Another point of failure for no fuel would be the fuel cut replay by the driver knee under the dash.

I can take a look.

 

My 85 SE died one day. It was like it ran out of fuel. After the ride of shame home, it would start but wouldn't take gas (more like more air). Had spark, fuel at the fuel line under the hood. I thought the injectors and had them cleaned. They were at 96% of new so it wasn't them. I replace the regulator at the fuel rail because it was apart. When I put if back together it fired right up and has been fine for a couple of years now. There is no way to test the pressure in the rail. Inexpensive part but a pain to get to.

 

Is there any chance you'll sell any of the Rx7's you still have?

 

Yes. Give me a call.

 

There is PLENTY of information here, because many of us put it there! Welcome to the forum, and spend some time searching on my Username, GSLSEforME, and your problem. Also, scroll down for endless feed on similar issues which should give you some leads, and lastly, there are always Related Topics which are fed on similar issues.


Have a read, see if you have similar issues and then post back here with what you found. It will help us to narrow down on exactly what's going on with your car, and get you back up and running sooner. Good luck,

 

Cool I'm calling later

 

Sorry for the late replies everyone, had a busy couple of days! Finals coming up and whatnot LOL

 

Hey man, great to hear from you! I remember that Hot Wheels hahaha, gotta love the REPU.
I'll definitely give the Diagnostic Jump and Fuel Cut Replay a try, I appreciate all the help!

 

Hey Tim! Thanks for the input, I could definitely see something like that being the problem with my SE too. If it's not the problem, probably still good for me to have a spare for the future!

 

What up LongDuck! I've seen you on so many archived posts, nice to finally chat with you. Thanks, felt like I hit a roadblock in searching the site but what you provided are definitely better ways to surf the sacred texts than what I was doing before!