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

Need help, car won't start...

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Old 03-09-13, 09:05 PM
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TX Need help, car won't start...

I am having issue's getting the car started. When i turn the ignition all i am getting is a clicking noise.

I checked power to the started and it is getting 12 volts. I removed the starter took it to the shop, had it checked and it came back fine. I ended up buying a new starter just to rule it out. I installed the new starter and i am getting the results.

I am hoping someone is going to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance bill.


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Old 03-09-13, 10:49 PM
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How old are your battery cables??? Old ones can siphon off a LOT of voltage. New ones seem to cure a wide variety of electrical gremlins....
Stu Aull
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Old 03-10-13, 06:06 AM
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why not jack up your car >>>PUT IT IN NEUTRAL<<< and jump the starter by touching a wrench to the battery cable and the solenoid terminal. there will be sparks!

and do not touch the car body with any other part of your body, unless you want to electrocute your heart.

this is dangerous **** !!

starters can be sneeky. the brushes get worn and will make intermittent contact. just removing the starter is enough to make the brushes move.

clicking usually means the solenoid is bad. my $$$ is on corroded battery terminals or weak battery

wait, you got a GM engine in your rx-7 fb...oh gawd, then it could be anything!!!!

Last edited by midnight mechanic; 03-10-13 at 06:09 AM.
Old 03-10-13, 10:43 AM
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Have RX-7, will restore


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have your battery tested. it sounds like a bad battery, a faulty connection at the battery or starter or possibly a faulty cable or grounding point.
Old 03-10-13, 11:17 AM
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just because you have 12 volts to the start when not engaged does not mean you have 12 volts under load, put your meter on it and watch it while you try to start it. If the voltage drops below 10 volts your loosing too much voltage, and you have a connection or cable problem
Old 03-10-13, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by midnight mechanic
why not jack up your car >>>PUT IT IN NEUTRAL<<< and jump the starter by touching a wrench to the battery cable and the solenoid terminal. there will be sparks!

and do not touch the car body with any other part of your body, unless you want to electrocute your heart.

this is dangerous **** !!

starters can be sneeky. the brushes get worn and will make intermittent contact. just removing the starter is enough to make the brushes move.

clicking usually means the solenoid is bad. my $$$ is on corroded battery terminals or weak battery

wait, you got a GM engine in your rx-7 fb...oh gawd, then it could be anything!!!!
Do not do this... use a starter button and cable, you can also use jumper cable and run one to each terminal on the starter, come out from under the car the touch the other ends together this will simulate a starter button with out the risk of the car falling or you shocking yourself... I always live by this "Do it right or not at all" as you can see I am still living...
Old 03-10-13, 12:56 PM
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Do you have a manual or automaton transmission? With the automatic transmission you should have an inhibit switch. Other than that the starter is a simple system. Its either the starter, battery or cables.
Old 03-10-13, 04:55 PM
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Thanks for all the input. I tested the battery under load...while cranking it's hitting around 11 to 11.4 volts...while cranking it she decided to start

I am thinking i will replace the battery with a new one.

I guess for now all it good....
Old 03-12-13, 11:32 PM
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The battery and starter are fine, the battery cables need to be replaced.
Old 04-17-13, 12:57 AM
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try cleaning the negative battery terminal my car used to do that too, all i had to do was remove the cables, clean the terminals and put them back on.
Old 04-21-13, 01:30 PM
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Check for bad ground two places where neg. battery cable bolts to engine and where neg. cable bolts to inside of fender
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