HAILERS might have nailed it- I was confused as to how that light harness would have blown the 80A too, but a bad starter makes sense...or the wiring at the starter grounding out...BTW, that circuit also ties in with the sub-zero start assist system, and the ECU...

 

TTT for tuesday!

 

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...&postid=914418
When you go to start the 12v goes from the battery, thru the ignition switch, to the Interlock switch on the clutch pedal, to the Starter Cut Relay (only if you have theft protection does this relay exist) to the small wire on the starter solenoid.

As you can see, unless the eighty amp fuse is there...ain't nothing gonna happen as far as the starter turning over. You have a DEAD SHORT AFTER the ignition switch.

Remove the wire from the starter (small wire on a blade).

Install a fuse.

Turn the key to START.

If the fuse blows, find the connector that goes to the Starter Cut RElay. It's located under the Trail Coil assy. If you don't have theft protection, that connector will have a singel jumper wire in it. Remove that half of that connector.

Install a new fuse. Go to START.

If the fuse blows, suspect your Interlock switch IF your car came with a Starter Interlock Switch. Disconnect the wires from the Interlock switch.

Put in a fuse.

Go to START.

If the fuse blew...go get the fsm and ringout your ignition switch per the fsm.

Work it in any order you want.

 

Okay... I disconnected the alternator completely (checked the connections before and they were good....) and the starter will now turn over.

but will not turn the motor over at all... think it is a bad starter

 

Okay... I took out the starter... it is working properly. It is popping out, and spinning, but not making contact with the flywheel I guess?

I would take the tranny down, but then I wont be able to hook up the starter to the flywheel...

Suggestions while I run to Taco Bell PLEASE!!!!!!!

 

so, what, the flywheel's not turning, so the starter engages, but can't turn the engine, so it's popping the fuse? wow... can you turn the engine from the front? (grab the belts- you should be able to turn it)

 

NO NO! The fuse was blowing having something to do with the alternator.

I was gonna turn the engine from the front... Bout to eat some Taco Bell...

Let me know what you think about the starter...

 

ahhh, now we're back to the power cable/ terminal on the alt? does the fuse blow if you remove that wire/terminal and isolate it from ground? If you can make the starter work off the car, plunger's working, etc...then it should be good... hmmm....make sure the alt turns when you turn the engine, too....

 

Okay. the alt power wire is disconnected. The starter pops out and spins when off the car. I can hear it do the same when it is back in the car. I dont know what kind of misalignment issues there could be... but I was going to take down the tranny, but that isnt going to do me any good as far as looking at misalignment.

So I dont know where to start looking next. Will try to turn the motor over with my hands today...