Big Problem
 

ok, so I went to start my car just now to get to work, the engine won't turn. Battary is showing good, but when I turn the key the enigne just makes a shallow trying to crank up sound. i'm not sure if its flooded or what, anyone got any idea's. Car has gas and has been sitting on a slight incline in the driveway but never had problems like this before. Need some help ASAP since I gota get to work, called in but they really need me.


-Matt

Hit the starter with a hammer and see if it will start.
And what is the voltage reading from the battery?

I went through the same thing last weekend, battery was totally dead wouldn't even take a charge. The day before i ran it all day, bought a new battery and it still wouldn't start.
Disconnected the new battery, waited a few secs and reconnected, it's been running ever since. Mine is also parked on an incline, I doubt that has anything to do with it.
My suspicion is it had something to do with the dead battery and the security system getting a little confused.
Try the simple stuff first, wacking the starter might work too.

Quick check-Turn the lights on and try and start. Chances are the lights will just about go out. I would say, bad battery, or alternator not putting out enough to keep batttery charged, especially if car is trying to turn over. Make certain alternator belt is tight, and when you get a chance, you can have both tested at the local parts store.

Turbonut reminded me, I also tightened up the alternator belt while I was at it.

if you get a weak half crank sound, its probably the battery or alternator killing off the battery.
if it just goes "click" and the battery is full, its the starter.
if it cranks but doesnt catch, odds are its flooded (assuming theres nothing painfully wrong in there)

Also check the battery connections. Mine did that when when the negative cable got loose.

If the engine does not turn at all, slight click and battery volts drop a little, may be the starter solenoid. Mine does this often and will start after half a dozen tries.

Thanks guys, I got home from class and tried to start her again, the battery dial just droped from 12 volts to 0 and nothing started, then things started going dim, guess it is the damn batery. Thing is totaly dead now, won't even beep or turn on the idiotlights. Nothing was left on at all overnight, alternator looks good and all, I'll have to check the belt. Don't know what caused the death of the battery though, no lights where on not even the stupid SECURITY light that I usualy do leave on. Glad this isn't a serious problem, just hoping i have enough cash on hand to get a new battery....these things run on 6 AAA's right ? :rlaugh:

-Matt

cheap battery should be around $30
Optima Red Top is $99
with dozens of options in between

It is amazing how totally dead the RX-7 can make a battery.

Clipped from the RX-7 sound dictionary:

RrRrRrRrR - starter gear sound (normal)
rrrrrrrrrrrr - starter gear sound (flooded) (no compression surges)

The expanded sound dictionary:

Thunk (when starting out) - Front diff mount.
Tink (when starting out) - u-joints
Clunk or groan (with suspension movement) - old grommets.
Zoom zoom (short cycle) - vac leak
Zoom zoom (long cycle) - TPS or BAC or grounds
Crunch - high rev shift to 2nd
Beeeeeeee - over rev or low coolant or low oil.
RrRrRrRrR - starter gear sound (normal)
rrrrrrrrrrrr - starter gear sound (flooded) (no compression surges)
RrRrRrrrRrrrR - starter gear sound (bad apex seal) (uneven compression surges)

(Any other contributions are welcome)

lots of underhood heat and vibration makes for shorted batteries.

That's why the battery box has a cold air inlet and a lid...

........................ - dead battery

battery box....? mines zip tied to the chassis!!!! j.k.... all i have is a tray tho..