I need help trying to figure out a starting problem in my 82 rx7 with a stock 12A engine.

The problem is when I go to start the car and turn the key to the first position all the dash indicator lights light up as normal, I can hear the fuel pump working etc. But when I turn the key to the start position everything in the car goes dead. No indicator lights, no interior dome lights, no digital clock nothing. I can turn the key off and when I try again to start the car again the car is completely dead. It is as if I disconnected the battery or something. Absolutely nothing works.

I then can disconnect the positive lead on the battery and reconnect it and the car comes back to life. The interior dome light lights up, the digital clock now works etc. But if I try to start the car again the same thing happens as described above.

I can disconnect the positive lead on the battery and reconnect it and then I can start the car on compression no problem and the car runs great. It just will not start on its own.

I have cleaned the battery terminals on the battery but the problem persists. I do not think it is the battery because when the car intermittantly does start normally the engine rapidly turns over with no drag.

Has anybody seen this problem before?

Thanks
Joe

 

Check the battery cable connections on the starter and engine block. Also check the cables were they meet the terminals. You are loosing connection somewhere.

 

Replace the positive cable. I had the same problem happen to me when my cable went bad. Put a new cable on and she turned over like normal

 

The oem pos cable is aluminum. They have a tendency to corrode internally, hidden beneath the sheathing. This causes overheating of the cable and increased resistance. Before replacing the cable, check/clean the connections on both cables at both ends, along with the other grounds in the harness.

If you find corrosion on the + cable, usually right at the battery clamp, cut the clamp off, cut the cable back to clean wire and replace the clamp.

 

Just had the same problem with mine!!! I put a new butt connector on the positive accessory wire and the problem stopped. (It was corroded.) In other words...listen to these guys and check that wire!

 

Thanks for the input. I think I will replace both cables to make sure I have good connections to everything.