Hello my names james i own a 1980 fc and recently it died on me its got a rebuilt engine from rx7 world with about 5/7k miles on it and i drove it a hour/2 back home it was running fine for a month and a half but it recently just stopped pumping and turning over i thought it was the battery so i replaced it and found out it was more ill link a video to the sound its making right now but 2 people ive talked to (my uncle whos a mechanic but not rotary specific) and my friend who works on cars and they both say sounds like the starter but before i go making any purchases and replacements id like some reassurance / advice on the matter. ill link a video below and if you could help id greatly appreciate it! Id also pay somebody for help dm if interested

 

That is one big run on sentence.

Just need to clear a couple of things up. You say you have a 1980 FC. The 1980 would be classified as a SA. Can you validate you have a 1980 with a carb?

1. Does the engine turn over while cranking?
2. Are you getting spark?
3. Are you getting fuel?

 

It had a 1980 instrument cluster in the video. But yea, the clutch fan does not appear to be turning when he sticks the camera outside.

 

I'm not able to see the video but I'll chime in. If I understand correctly, the engine will not crank, is that the issue? I would start by verifying that both battery cables are clean and tight on the battery. A loose or corroded terminal end can cause a multitude of issues.

Next, you need to verify that you have source voltage at the 12V terminal at the starter. This is direct 12V power from the battery. It should have 12V or source voltage at all times.

Next, you need to verify source voltage at the trigger wire at the starter. The trigger wire will have source voltage when the key is turned to the start position. Following that, check your ground cable or negative battery cable. Ensure it's clean and tight at the battery and on the transmission bellhousing. The negative cable also has a ground point on the left strut tower that you'll want to check as well.

If you verify that you have good power and ground connections and that the starter should be adequately powered up, remove the starter and bench test the starter. You can do that at home or at the parts store. The parts store will have a machine that will do that or we can walk you through that here.

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Were you turning & holding the key as if to start it and it's making those sounds? The tach went from 4800ish to 3k and stayed there with that noise but it didn't sound like it was turning over, just making static noise...

 

The SA uses the tach as a voltmeter, so what you are seeing is voltage on the tach. The engine is not turning over or sparking so it stays in voltage mode.

The starter definitely is not engaging, but as said above it could be starter or the wiring.

You're going to want to check your ring gear as well. The teeth on the starter are usually damaged first if the starter is not engaging properly, but if you keep trying to crank it like that you can do some damage to the ring gear too.

 

yeah the fan wont turn and it wont crank / pump whatsoever but the belts are not locked up, sorry for the very short and bad filmed video my phone sucks lol

 

sorry for the long run on sentence / typos grammar and writing isn't my strong suit & ive never used fourms before. this is also my first car ever so im very new to this im thankful to everybodys whos replied

mazdaverx713b thank you! this is exactly what i was looking for im pretty sure replacing my starter will do it and my battery actually has a cracked terminal connector and i didn't think it would be a super big issue.

KansasCityREPU it wont turn over / pump / crank at all im getting fuel but i went to open my gas tank the other day (the cars been sitting for almost 3/4 weeks atp because i was in new york) and a ton of air shot back at me and it smelled super dry. i also was not aware my car was a sa haha. thought it was a fc for the last month now just because thats whats on my registration but after seeing multiple people say its the sa i thought that was funny so thank you

1BADRX7 yes i was trying to turn and hold the key not pumping (because it wont) but yeah its not turning over just static.

1badFB thank you for the encouragement on the starter i also thought it was this but its good to hear it from another person.

 

it's no different than writing, or in this case, typing a paper for school. do they not still teach that?

it's in the vin#. 79-80 is SA.(i think it's like SA22C) FB is 81-85(JM1FB). FC is 86-91(JM1FC).

provided the battery and all connections are good, i too would suspect the starter.

 

If this is your "first" car, and you thought you had an FC RX7, but the forum members are saying the car in your video is an SA, model please verify what the VIN number on the engine bay firewall is, and see if it "matches" the VIN number on your car's title. Then look at rxtasy3's post about the different RX7 series VIN numbers for the different production years and let us know what model you have specifically. Then folks will know better how to help you with your issues going forward and congratulations on your first car it's a great choice, and also a challenge good luck!

 

Had exactly the same symptoms a few months ago. Previously reliable car started making a noise like grinding rocks when starter key turned. Tach would jump but engine not turning. Was indeed a bad starter motor. Used one from Ebay fixed the issue.

Things learned sometimes the hard way.
- Good instructions for starter removal here in '1980 FSM'. https://foxed.ca/index.php?page=rx7manual#firstgen
- Before removing starter, Take bunch of pictures showing where wires attach to the motor and to the mounting bolts.
- Remove the starter before ordering a new one, and make sure the new starter you order has the same amount of teeth as the starter you remove.
- Dont put too much faith in a starter test at the local parts store. My old one tested good, but was bad.
- Whilst the starter is off, zip tie your phone to something like a box or table top tripod that allows you to film inside the hole where the starter fitted. Whilst filming, turn the engine very slowly for slightly over one revolution using a ratchet wrench on the big bolt on the lowermost belt pulley. (Turn the bolt clockwise, facing towards rear of car). Look at the video and check that the teeth you see inside the starter hole are all intact and not broken.
- Wheel chocks and jackstands!

I see a choke in your video, so your car is a SA or FB. Check first two digits of the VIN number riveted to engine firewall just behind washer fluid container.

I was in your exact position three years ago. Purchased a 1981 RX7 to work on. Zero experience on cars, but just dived right in. The folks on this site are superb and will really help you. And download and save /print those Foxed.ca manuals.

Chris

 

rxtasy3 yes they still teach that, just dyslexic lol and like i said not my strong suit not here for a grammar lesson just mechanical help lol was just apologizing for my lack of writing im also not tech savy im a book and paper guy so forums are a bit complicated for me. my vin says FC off the top of my head at least i think it does. and when i bought it the guy said it was a fc and he owned the car for over 30 years so i trusted that haha

Seniorchief thank you! i knew buying a 44/45 year old car was going to be a rough challenge and a ton of learning but thats what i wanted i most def have to check my vin but like i said above the guy i bought it from said it was a fc so i trusted him but he might've got it wrong / the year wrong i have to check my vin lol.

Slow_sevens thank you. ive been trying to find proper " instructions" or some tips for how to remove the starter other then the 9/10 year old youtube videos and this is a HUGE help i really appreciate it

(again i appreciate all the help ive gotten so far thank u lol)

 

The first step in replacing the starter is to disconnect the battery. I typically disconnect the positive terminal. There will be a single one pin flat connector that you will disconnect first. This is your trigger wire. I believe the connector body is brown. You will then follow the positive battery cable down to the starter and remove the single 12mm nut that secures the cable to the starter solenoid. This is your direct power source to the starter and must be removed only after disconnecting the battery. The starter is held in by two 14mm bolts. One short and one long. The long bolt has a nut on the opposing end that is also 14mm. I have often seen the negative battery cable fastened to this nut. If that's the case on your car, gently slide the bolt back and remove the cable. Once the starter is unbolted, it is easily removed rearward and then down. Be careful that it doesn't fall out when removing the last bolt. Support it with your hand while you remove the final bolt.

Replacement is the reverse of removal. Install the starter into the trans, install the bolts and nut, the trigger and power wires, and then connect the battery cable. Its a simple job that should take you less than 30 minutes.

 

mazdaverx713b i was able to get up under and remove the starter today and found out my starter was perfectly fine but i had a wire blow connecting my solenoid so i have to replace that.. bought a starter rushing in and not actually looking at the part first and taking it to get it tested lol just glad it wasn't a expensive replacement. I went to autoparts places in my town today (4) and nobody had the two pieces i was looking for but its a 20$ fix. thank you to everybody who replied it means a lot!

 

Which wire failed? The wire that runs from the solenoid into the starter itself? If that's the case, I would replace the starter as a unit, as I'm not sure where to get that internal power wire. You may have to go to a shop that specializes in rebuilding starters and alternators to find one. I haven't seen a reman kit for an RX-7 starter in a long time. Probably since the 90's if I remember correctly.

 

I'm not sure about the 1983, but the 1984-1985 actually have a fusible link at the starter trigger wire.