I went helped Turbo12A with his 85 RX-7 today. He is having a problem where it wont start. We changed out the battery so thats working fine. When trying to start it the starter kicks but it doesnt spin, so we took it off and tested it. If we connect the positive to the positive post and the negative to the negative post then use alligator clips to connect the ignition post to the positive it clicks and shoots up but doesnt spin, then if we connect the negative to the starter body to ground it, it spins. So we thought the problem was it must not have been grounded coorectly. So we installed the starter and grounded the negative to the starter body instead of to the post, then when hooking up the batteries power it spins all the time, even though the ignition isnt turned on, it spins but doesnt click up. When hooking up the negative to the post and try and turn the ignition on it clicks up but doesnt spin. We once again grounded it on the starter body and left the battery positive unhooked, then turned the ignition then hooked the positive cable to the battery for the car and it turned over. But of course the starter wheel kept spinning. We called two rotary places and couldnt get any answer on what the problem could be. Any ideas?

Quentin Christensen

 

If I read you right,,,,,,You have a bad solenoid. The power to the starter motor is switched thru the solenoid. You get the solenoid to pull in,,,,,and you get the starter to spin,,,,but not at the same time???? You must have the heavy wire from the +batt. connected to the solenoid, then when you fire the solenoid, it pushes the gear out AND connects the +12v to the starter. The starter and solenoid are replaced as a unit.
PS
There is NO negative post to connect to ground. That is done thru the case to motor. ALL terminals on the starter/solenoid will be +12v at some point in function. If you are testing out of the car, the negative goes to the case.

 

Stater solenoid is toast. Go grab a rebuild, or rebuild that one. It'll solve your problems.

 

Yup. Exaclty the same thing happened to me when I first started my car. Get a starter with a lifetime warrantee, and keep the reciept. You'll use it. I paid about 100 for mine at Schucks.