Hi,
I drove my car and it had no problems, the next time i turned the key i heard
what i think was the starter trying to start, and an electrical burning smell coming from under the hood or dash and it did not turn the engine over.

Now when i turn the key the starter doesn't do anything. It's just dead.

I checked the fuses and they are ok.

Next i took the starter off and had it checked. The starter passed the test, (Good).

I checked the Main fusible link on the strut tower with my DMM and it has continuity.

According to the Hanes Manual there are two fusible links on the steering
column but i can not find them. You know where they are? Pictures?

How do i test the ignition switch to see if it is good?

Anything else that you think could be causing the problem?

I turn the key, the lights come on in the dash, the head lights work and pop-up
but nothing. The starter is not getting any power it seems.

I checked the battery and it is charged good.

Help please.

1981 RX7 GSL 12a

 

The starter has a lead that comes from the ignition switch, I think it's Yellow Brown or similar. Is is plugged in? I think it plugs into the solenoid switch part of the starter.

 

then you can put a test light on it and see if you getting power to it. i always jump it to see if the starter is working. if not. hit it with a hammer then try again.

 

Lol, I somehow totally missed the first paragraph. Did the test include checking the solenoid? Kettlman's method is great for forcing balky starter solenoids to engage. If the BFH works though, you'll need to replace that solenoid.

When I did it, it was cheaper to get a rebuilt starter & solenoid rather than just the solenoid.

 

Yeah the Starter was tested at autozone, i saw them plug all the wires to the
solenoid and it started. It started three times.

There are two wires attached with nuts and one that plugs in on top, on the
solenoid.

What else could be causing the starter to not be getting power?

 

Bad positive connection on the battery? A bad or corroded main ground would also break the starting circuit.

 

Yeah, I'd start by cleaning and checking all of the big wires between the battery and starter. Make sure that you have really REALLY good connections. Also, sometimes the battery cables will fry up internally. They are aluminum, and don't tend to hold up to age very well. Good luck!

 

Hey guys i think i found the culprit!

After checking the fuses and finding they are good......
After checking the battery and finding it to be good......
After testing the starter and finding it's probably good.....
After testing the fusible links under the hood & finding they are probably good....
After testing the Ignition switch and finding it's probably good....
After using jumper cables to see if it did any difference, and it did not do anything..

I checked underneat the steering column to check for any burned wires or fuses.
I found what i believe to be the culprit, right inder the duct that crosses under the
steering column.

And it was......

A fusible link that is connected to a black/yellow and black/red wires on my 81 GSL.

I took it out tested it for continuity with my Digital MultiMeter and got no
continuity. On my DMM it appears as .0L when there is none.

As you can see from the pictures i first touched my probes to each other to see
what is a complete circuit.

Now i will have to see where i can find a replacement.

I will buy the other fusible links at the same time so i have them ready when
i need them.

This Fusible Link is a blue-ish green color (peppermint?)....btw


Hope this helps others, i will let you know how it turned out.

 

It's Fixed!

I went to Mazda and they sold me the fusible links. I installed the one and it
started right up.

I got the rest for when ever the need arises.

 

Good Job!

 

Awesome, and Archived!

Jon

 

Would you happen to have the part numbers for the fusible links? I think I may have the same problem.

I posted a thread about it here: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/help-starter-switch-problem-please-521179/

 

yeah im having this same problem and the mazda dealership says they only still have the 3 fuseable links that go in that brown bow thats under the hood on the drivers side. is there any way you still have the part numbers for these or can a make one to bypass it or something cus my ignition is totally dead. i can hot wire it but i dont want to have to do that every time i start the car

 

I replaced all of my fusible links under the hood with fuses. You might be able to do the same thing here, but I'm not sure what size fuse you would need...

 

yeah ive only owned the car for a week now and i already encountered this problem. i ordered the 3 fuseable links that go under the hood from mazda and they should be in from mazda tomorrow. im hoping one of those will solve it but if not and its the one under the steering column then i guess i might have to make one i dunno. well see how it goes tomorrow i guess, i'll hope for the best with it

 

Even if it is the fusable link, it is not a bad idea to replace the battery cables as well. My brothers 79 would not even power up. The cables were bad. Now the sucker starts good.