Alright, back in my "Slow Crank, No Crank" (https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/slow-crank-no-crank-344307/) thread a while ago I was talking about my starting issues I was having.

Turns out my starter was dead, that sucks, so I bought a new one. Put it on, starts like a champ.

New problem. Today it is doing pretty much the same thing it was before when it wouldn't start.

I noticed something though, I opened the door and I turn the key and I can hear a very strong solenoid and starter clunk like it's trying to turn, but the car just wouldn't turn. I sat there and tried it over, and over, and over, and over again just to see if maybe something would change. Wouldn't you know, it did. It took about 15-20 tries of the starter to knock loose whatever was sticking. The engine clunked, I heard it turn like half a rev, then I cranked it again. Starts cranking slowly like it's fighting for life then starts rough. After it gets going it idles fine, but if I let it sit turned off for more than like 20 minutes it locks up again.

I really don't want to think that this is a sign of ensuing massive engine failure. That would suck, as I am broke. But I am willing to accept that fact if I must.

Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

 

How many miles on the engine?

Could be bearings, belt driven accessories (easy enough to troubleshoot- loosen or pull the belts next time she does it), carboned up engine, etc...

 

The engine just turned over 140,000. I have had it since 98,000 and I'm the third owner. While I have taken good care of it I can't vouch for the other two guys.

Belt driven accessories are minimal, power steering is fine and i just replaced the pullies recently, hacked off the A/C belt, and the air pump is ok too.

Anyone know where I can get $2,000 quick?

 

put the transmission in neutral... grab a 19mm socket and try to turn the eccentric shaft..

if you can turn it without a massive breaker bar then you engine is fine (99% anyway)

stupid question maybe for you.. But is your battery good? if so, is it fully charged?

What do the battery terminals look like?

Also check the ground wire from the engine body to the chasis.

 

Keep a 3/4" (or 19mm) deep well socket and a 1/2" breaker bar handy, so that when this happens again, you can pop the hood, and attempt turning the engine, so you can get a better "feel" for what's going on, and maybe find out where this "clunk" of yours is coming from...Turn the engine clockwise, looking from the front of the car...

Sorry, don't have a spare $2,000

 

Battery is good just bought it because I thought it would be the problem, I'll check the ground in the morning.

 

evileagle, do you know where i can find 10 ae parts, such as floor mats and fenders.

 

No, please don't hijack.

 

Alright.

I tried turning it and I could turn it like a quarter turn with a breaker bar and a 2 foot cheater bar before I just couldn't pull anymore.

Sound like she's toast?

 

When you did get it going, did you drive it around? If it's toast you'll have way less power than you should. But I also doubt it would have ever "idled fine" if it was toast, but who knows, I've only seen one blown engine running so don't listen to me.

This is just a thought but could your clutch possibly not be disengaging? If that was the case and your tranny's been in gear this whole time .... yeah that's probably not it but whatever, can't hurt to ask.

 

It doesn't really 'idle fine' when it starts, let's go with 'it runs' when it starts. It does have a lot less power than it should, which makes me think that I am losing quite a bit of compression. I have noticed it getting progressively weaker and weaker over the last month or so.

Looks like I need to source a rebuild soon.

Kevin, you busy?

 

First things first- remove all of the belts, and try turning the engine again...You're gonna feel pretty silly if you go through a rebuild only to fugure out your water pump is seized (or any other belt driven accessory, for that matter)

 

Pull your plugs and try to turn it again. If you see water/etc coming out, god help you!

 

Good news! Turns out I just had a bad angle when I was trying to hand crank it. Got on it with a shorter extension on the 3/4" drive instead of the 1/2" drive and I can turn it with relative ease.

This leads me to believe I have a massive short somewhere, or that my problem is at the very least electrical.

Anyone have any ideas on where I should start looking for electrical gremlins?

 

Your grounds could be bad, clean them up and try again.