Let me explain exactly what happened. Bought this 88AE from a guy in Texas. It started right up PERFECTLY. As in the instant i turned the key it started, no struggle. I shipped the car down to Louisiana, once again started perfectly and drove it into the garage. The Driver side door handle was broken so I was working on it and I forgot to shut the door when I was done. The battery died. I jumped it and it gave me a bitch of a time starting, took about an hour to get it jumped. I drove it for 30 minutes and cut it off. There wasnt even enough power in the battery to keep the dome lights on, so I assumed the battery is dead beyond dead, cant hold a charge. I go get the battery tested, it isnt bad so I recharge it. I put it in the car, all lights,ect. work. But now when i crank the car it struggles like it wants to start but cant do it. So I was wondering if it could be the alternator was bad and wasnt holding a charge and thats why the battery didnt recharge the first time I ran it, and now the alternator is completely dead, or it is the starter. I never had a bad starter so I was wondering if anyone on here would have a good geuss to what it could be. Thanks

Dane

 

Do the warining lights stay on once you turn on the car? I read some where when an Alternator goes bad all the warning light stay on.
Correct me if I am wrong anyone.

 

here is your first mistake. it was probably flooded. you can't start these cars and shut them down 30 secs later. you gota wait till they warm up or will they flood causing a bitch to restart it.


if the car died while it was running then it's probably your alt.

while cranking if the motor spins, weither it starts or not, . the starter is fine.

 

Ok, the engine does have a flooding problem. But I never started the car for 30 seconds, and shut it off. I always ran it for atleast 10 min or so. When I pulled it into the garage i let it run for awhile cause wanted to make sure it didnt have an overheating problem (since i didnt know anything bout the car since i just purchased it).

The Starter is good because the motor spins and tries to start but just doesnt catch. The car never died on my while it was running either. So.... Alternator? Or think it could be something else.

 

Oh yeah, as for the warning lights.. I cant get the car to start obviously but when i try to crank it or when i turn the key to where it has power, all the warning lights are on. I thought that was a normal thing though, let me know if it isnt. Thanks!

 

If the engine is cranking then its not the starter. I'm having this problem right now too... Your alternator doesnt even start recharging the battery until the car starts. Maybe your problem lies in the spark plugs, spark plug wires, or even your leading/trailing coils. Check the fuses in the engine bay too, the two closest to the engine.

 

DUDe just buy an entire NEW BATTERY!!! its only 40 bucks go for it get a new one. if that doesnt fix the problem get a new starter 100 bucks from discount auto LIFETIME WARANTY!

 

even if it tests good it could be bad. believe me i been in your shoes more than once.

 

Sounds exactly like what happend to my car (not an rx7 but same symptoms). Ill bet you it's the altenator, Chances are it is siezed, so your car ran off of your battery until the battery ran out of juice. You either have to rebuild the altenator or get a new one. Id just get a new once, since it'll come with a warrenty.

 

if u can start your can do so.... then let it warm up.... once it is nicely warmed up... disconnect the negative battery terminal.. if the car dies.. the alternator is bad..

 

No, don't dare! Not with todays car electronics. Take the alternator to an auto parts store and get it checked out.

 

Thanks, I think I might go get a new alternator.. I heard you can get a FDs alt. put in, what would be the benefit of that rather than buying one for the same price with a lifetime warranty?

Dane

 

There more money but they put out more amps. No real need to do this unless you have a stereo that could use the extra power.

 

I would disagree. It's an S4. They have wimpy alternators. If you make any type of addition to the electrical system, you might as well get a bigger alternator.

The stock system is being pushed to the limits with headlights, wipers, rear wiper, and pressing the brake. Especially considering the electrical system (not neccessarily the alternator) is 15-17 years old. Do it and just watch your voltage.