Ok, I took my car to the pet store and it started fine when I left home and when I left the gas station, but when I tried to leave the pet store it wouldn't start. It doesn't even crank, like the clutch isn't pushed down or something, but I am pushing it down. Also, I noticed a hose might be missing from somewhere right above the actual clutch. If someone has a pic of an 88 n/a engine towards the clutch area I could point it out. I have a couple people I can call and I'll probably get it towed back to my apt, but I'd like to fix it without having to take it to a shop.

 

Does the electric stuff still work or no?

 

Electric is fine, the situation is identical to if I just did not push the clutch pedal in, the car just clicks and does not crank at all.

 

Starter? Or ignition switch. I say starter.

 

What can I check? My car is like 30 minutes away until I get it towed, but I'm going to try whatever I can to fix it first. I'm probably not going back until Monday.

 

Well when my starter was acting up I got under the car and low and behold the wire came off the starter. Simply put it back on and was good to go. Might wanna disconnect the battery first though. Check that, simple fix. After that, try to push start the car.

 

Starter wire...check.

Anybody else?

 

Okay Ryde or Die... you are probably thinking I'm following you around or something.... I just want to help others since I was helped by so many too!

Okay... sorry. I would say starter as well. I know you are trying to do some non-greasy, don't wanna crawl under the hood fixes, but you need to get underneath, take the starter off, and take it to a Pep Boys or something for a free test to make sure it's turning.

Are dash lights, gauges, idiot lights coming on?

 

Lol, no we're just both helping people out Good idea though. If it just clicks and all the rest of the elec. stuff is fine then it is more than likely the starter. It would suck to have a car towed just for that. But to get it home you should be able to push start it and then go from there.

 

BUMP

 

Have you tried push starting it?

 

Starter wire is corroded, bad connection, or shorting..

The clicks is the starter solenoid trying to engage but not getting enough voltage to do so.

Push starting should work if it isn't a bad or loose wire,

 

Hi, I recently purchased 2 87' N/A rx-7's, and with one I also sometimes have the problem described above. I'm not sure why, but when I shake the battery, It starts turning over again, and hopefully starts. This is just a solution that works for me, so it may not work for you, but give it a try next time happens.

 

it could be the safety switch for the clutch, loose/corroded battery cables, bad starter, lots of things... i would clean the battery cables, make sure the wires are tight, and then run a jumper to the starter...if the starter works... it's prob. the clutch safety switch, but i seem to have a lot of problems with loose battery terminals...just some ideas.

 

I'm going to my car today and hopefully one of the things you guys said will work. If not, I have to get it towed back to my apartment complex. Thanks for all the help, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Update: I went to the pet store and it cranked right up. I am at a loss as to why it did that, but now I'm worried it's going to leave me stranded somewhere else.