Here's the deal, I've had my RX7 (1990 GXL) since January with no compression. I rebuilt it and have been driving it since April. The car has had a starting problem since I've owned it. Whenever I start the car I have to get on the gas and rev it to ~2500-3000 RPM to keep it alive. If I don't do this it just dies out. If I don't let the engine warm up a little and try to drive it jolts really hard and the engine cuts out. But, once it is warm the engine will start and run with no problems. It has a check engine light for the Water Temperature Sensor. I replaced that in the summer and cleared the codes and it still came up.

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This is a video I took recently of the problem. The first time it starts, I'm giving it no gas. The second time I rev it to 3000 and it dies (normally trying to start it I would rev it more to get it to stay running), and the third time it starts I gave it no gas.

Any information would be helpful at this point because I can't think of what else it could be. Thanks.

 

The plug which connects to the sensor has two pins (wires) in it. Often times one of these pins will pull back withing the plug thus leaving a poor connection. Replacing the sensor under these conditions will have no affect. Pin 2E of the ECU should read 2 to 3 volts w/key to on and engine cold and .3 to 1.0 volt w/key to on and engine hot. If you get a really high reading like 5 volts or so then one of the pins is pulled back.

 

Are you talking about the sensor on the side of the block or the one by the water pump? I replaced both.

 

The Water Thermosensor. Located behind the water pump.

 

Alright, thanks. When I get a chance I'll look into it. If it is pulled back, what do you suggest doing to correct it? Is it as simple as just pulling the wire to be back in the plug or is it more complicated than that?

 

Just shove the wire foward into the plug that houses it.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the help!