lynchmob

Hi everyone. I am hoping someone has experienced this or can provide me with some insight to this issue. I have a 88 10th anniversary RX-7 that has been stored for past 12 years. I pulled the fan off of the motor and turned it over by placing a socket on the crank bolt. It moves freely. I put a battery in the car, depressed the clutch and the car has power but it won't crank over. I pulled the starter out, cleaned both the starter and the solenoid up put a battery on it and verified it runs and the bendix moves in and out when power is applied. I placed it back in the car and nothing. I then used a screwdriver and jumped power across the solenoid and the car turned over. I thought it was the Clutch Cut Switch however I did remove it and tested that it for conductivity with the switch open and depressed. It was working as I thought it should. At this point I am looking for advice on what to check next. Thanks everyone.

Gen2n3

iTrader: (1)

Unless I misread your problem, your starter is bad. If you jumped the solenoid and it starts then you identified the failed part. Remove it, test, and replace it.

lynchmob

I took a screwdriver and placed it from the "hot" line on the solenoid to the tab that extends off of it which has the small plug connector. This caused it the start to engage and turn the car over. Does this indicate a bad solenoid?

Gen2n3

iTrader: (1)

Yes, read my above statement. If you jumped across across the solenoid on the starter then you bypassed it. It sounds like your starter solenoid gave up the ghost. Remove the starter and have it tested at a local auto parts store. It is not common to only replace the solenoid. Typically, a new starter is easier to replace and it is more available than a solenoid.

While you are under the car, this is a good time to verify that the wiring to the starter and battery are sound.

Cheers,
George

insightful

that test actually verified that the solenoid is good and that the starter is ok.

what you need to do is have someone turn the key to start and see if the small spade wire to the starter is putting out any voltage both disconnected and while connected to the starter indicating high resistance in the circuit.

Gen2n3

iTrader: (1)

My apologies! I misunderstood your process and retract my diagnosis.

When you tested the clutch interlock switch, did it stick or seem to travel much farther to engage? When the switch was reinstalled, could you adjust the switch engagement for the clutch pedal? You may also need to inspect & clean the ignition switch since you said the car sat for 12yrs.

As Insightful suggested, have a friend help when starting the car to check for voltage drops. Pg G-15 of the FSM discusses testing of the starter on the car (for voltage drops). The Magnetic Switch & Return Tests can also be found in Pg G-22 of the FSM. Although these 2 steps are moot since you used the shade tree (screwdriver) test already.

Again, inspect the wiring to the starter and battery to ensure proper electrical contact is made. Are your battery terminals stock or were they replaced with aftermarket? If aftermarket terminals are used then be sure that all wires are tightly attached to them.

Cheers,
George