So, I'm really a mechanic-newbie and haven't done much to cars since the good ole days of livin with my dad and doin basic stuff like oil changes and stereo work.

Fastforward to a point where i'm livin hours away from him and am now trying to do everything myself, I bought a RX-7. Long story short, the alternator seems new. I just got the battery replaced because the old one was on it's last dying legs (battery since '98) and now i'm at a point where the car won't start. Prior to messing with the battery and starter, the car started up everyday for about a week until one day it wouldn't start. So that's when I changed the battery and as of right now, when I turn the key, nothing happens. Earlier today, I degreased the engine and pressure(safe level) washed it, and let it sit to dry and still no response when I turn the key, I did this method because everything below the beehive and the engine looked so old/grimey/gunky and was thinking there was too much on the starter wires.

Also, the car has no problems starting up with roll starting..this is going to bother me all night because I can only hope I can get it started no problem before going to a meet nearby. If not, I'm going to show up/leave via roll start.

I bought new terminals simply because the one's I have were the original ones and they are corroded/ugly-looking not to mention rusty and when I tighten the nuts they almost indent into the terminals.

So tomorrow, my agenda is: replace terminals, attempt to start, if fail disconnect cables to starter and clean ends and try again.

Next idea is to replace starter which I'll be able to get from Ray(bring it in case!) at the meet and replace it..

and last resort is to replace cables to starter...

but I'd love to hear ideas or any things I could do on top of what I've planned to do or if maybe someone has had similar experiences

(thanks Ray for all the help so far)

and

sorry for wall of text

 

You said when you turn the key, nothing happens. Not even a click? If you're not sure, try again and listen for it.

No Click:
-Solenoid could be shot
-Ignition switch could be faulty (not passing juice when in the start position)
-Wire that runs to the solenoid from the ignition switch could be bad/corroded/disconnected
-Could be weak battery, but it would have to be pretty weak (although you said it's a new one so not likely unless you got a bum battery or the alternator's not working great)
-Could be corroded cables or a poor connection but really they'd have to be really corroded - shouldn't take much current to activate the solenoid.

You could bypass the solenoid with a screwdriver (good way to narrow things down), but get someone to help you with it who's done it before - there's a nice big spark and if you accidently leave the car in gear you'll run yourself over. It also leaves a nice black burn mark on the screwdriver so use a cheap one.

If you do get a click but the starter's not turning, some possibilities:
-Bad starter
-Poor cables/connection
-Weak battery (again, either bum battery or alternator's not doing great).
-Solenoid could be in bad shape (sometimes the contacts get burned and the solenoid works but it doesn't make a connection). This usually begins as intermittent starting problems though.

Really, I'd try to get someone to boost the car just to make sure it's not a bad/weak battery since it's relatively easy and only takes a couple minutes as long as you've got some booster cables kicking around.

Since you've got the new terminals, may as well use them, although new cables (with the moulded terminals) might be worth considering.

Good luck!

 

thanks, I'm going to disconnect the wires to the starter and clean the ends of them up a bit and put them back on

 

ground cable:


i got around to removing the ground cable and could this be the root of my starting problem? it looks pretty bad and i'm heading to the store to replace the connector after cleaning the end.

 

can't edit my previous post? but anyway

update: I replaced the negative battery cable altogether and tested everything and it still works but the car still won't start without roll starting it.

Now it's time for me to replace the solenoid and hope for the best.

 

Take the altenator and starter out and have them tested at an autoparts store. They will do the testing for free.

 

The cable/connector look a bit dirty, but to me don't really seem *that* bad. Then again, sometimes they look great but don't make a nice solid connection and other times strands of wire can be broken, look pitiful, and yet they still work.

I'd normally suggest pulling the starter off (since you're already disconnecting stuff anyway) and testing it off the car, but since you mentioned you'll be getting one at the meet to try out, I'm sure it can wait.


Edit: Just saw your added post. I'd agree with KansasCityREPU. You can test the starter (including the solenoid) off the car yourself using some alligator clips, but there's potential for danger so bringing it in is usually the best bet.

 

Do you have a multimeter, or even a little test light? Check for voltage at the small wire that clips to the starter (spade connection) to make sure it gets juice when the key is turned to start.

That is probably the easiest and fastest way to narrow down your problem...



.

 

Yeah, Billy from the meet took some wire and someone's reverse light to test it, and it's getting juice, I got the starter and will change it after I get off work tomorrow.

Thanks all for input/feedback

 

Basically, I posted about my starter problem...and it seems to have escalated...what was thought to be a simple fix has turned into a disaster..




This 14mm Bolt is the one I cannot seem to remove. I sprayed WD-40 on it, let it sit and tried to remove it but no luck.

I sprayed PB Blaster on it, let it sit and tried to remove it but no luck.

From all the attempts I can almost now spin the wrenches on the bolt.

Took it to a mechanic nearby but not telling them I wanted to replace the starter, I simply stated that I just wanted the top bolt removed to the starter.

For that they charged me $15 and did a free brake inspection since I was planning on getting my brakes replaced but they only think it's the brake master cylinder.

Their attempts even with a special 14mm head were unsuccessful and even tried hammering on a 13mm..

am I really screwed? or can someone drill this out for me for a non-eye gouging price?

 

air hammer it off and get a new bolt and nut...

:AA:

 

edit:

checked home depot near my house and they have an air hammer available for rent. didn't think replacing starter would be this difficult.

 

Go to your local Sears or hardware store and pick up one of these. They are made for taking off rounded off bolts.

 

go to harbor freight and buy a cheap *** dremel to cut the head off

 

Ah ok, I think the mechanic shop used something like what I had to borrow from a friend:



but your's seems more deadlier/efficient, wish me luck..tomorrow when i get the part.

 

the one you used is pretty worn, so it doesnt have the biting edge there to really grasp it, get a new one and it should do the trick. You might even have to use a 13mm one and hammer it on. Sears though I dont think carry's those anymore, at least not here in canada.