Alright so i'm not mechanically retarded but i am new to rotaries. I bought a 8810th AE from my friend. It was just sitting in his back yard and i couldn't let it die. I'm fixing it up right now trying to get it running again. last time they parked it it was working. When i got the car i had no power to anything when turning the key. I replaced the 80 amp main fuse and now i have all power to interior lights and gauges. The problem is the starter still didn't turn when trying to turn key. Another problem was the clutch pedal was all the way to the floor. Thinking that the clutch release fork was not getting pushed so that was the reason the car wouldn't start i tied to fix it. After troubleshooting this i replaced the Master and Slave cylinder. FINALLY i have a very smooth clutch and it is pushing in the release fork. BUT the starter is still not cranking. I know the starter works because if i hot wire it to the bat. it will crank. please help I'm kinda stuck. Thanks a lot.

 

The circuit from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid, passes through a Clutch Interlock Switch ***On most RX, NOT all RX*****. In other words, on MOST RX, you have to push the clutch in to *make* the interlock switch so the power gets to the starter solenod.

This INTERLOCK switch is shown in the transmission section of the FSM and is located way up in the top area of the clutch pedal. Look and see if your car has one ...or not. One wire is GREEN/BLACK of the two wires on it.

From the clutch interlock switch, the circuit goes next to the Starter Cut Relay, IF you car has THEFT PROTECTION. IF your car has no THEFT, then the circuit goes to a BLUE JUMPER under the Trail Coil assy. From the BLUE jumper, the circuit goes on to the starter solenoid.

So, look to see if you have a clutch interlock switch and if you have a BLUE jumper connector under the Trail coils assy.

There are two switches on the clutch pedal. One on the aft side of the clutch pedal is NOT the interlock switch. The one on the fwd side of the clutch pedal IS the interlock switch.

Again, the interlock switch has two wires. One black/green and the other Black/Red.

 

thanks. i'll check that tonight and then update the thread. any other suggestions?

 

Not really. The key right now, is IF you have a interlock switch or not. Even if you do, depress the clutch while looking at it and determine if the plunger is getting depressed when you push the clutch pedal.

I worked around a bad interlock switch. The plunger of the interlock was not getting depressed because............???......I believe there was a plastic piece with a hole in it for the plunger, and that plastic piece was ruined. So I unplugged the interlock switch and permanently jumpered the black/red to the black/green. Like....I don't use the interlock no mo.

 

wow that worked. The Clutch Interlock Switch was just not pushed down all the way. i got in there and manually pushed in and turned the key and she started cranking. Thanks so much!

 

Did she fire up?

 

well. i'm taking one problem at a time. i'm not getting fuel...turned out my fuel pump was shot so i have anew one on its way. but i'm sure hoping she will!

 

make sure you register the 10AE on our registry and keep us updated on the fuel issue. we've got an amazing 10 AE list going thus far

 

haha alright so i'm getting fuel now but no spark. I tested the coils and they arn't working to well. I think thats probably the issue. What would be the best thing to replace the stock coils and ignitors? i'm definitely on a budget so keep that in mind. thanks a lot!

 

ok so i finally got New coils in the car... but still no spark..well..that i could see. would i be able to see just by looking at the plugs on the end of the wires? or touching it to a ground? but i have power all the pay to the coils but when turning over the engine there is now spark that i can see....and the coils are new. is there anything else that would be preventing the igniter from cranking out spark? The engine is taken apart a little, some sensors not plugged in....intercooler off things like that..but shouldn't i still be able to see if i'm getting spark?

 

You should see spark if you lay one of the plugs (while connected to the spark plug wire) on a metal surface to ground it. While the engine cranks it will spark.

Since it sounds like its not sparking and you say you have sensors unplugged I would look at your CAS plug first and make sure its plugged in. Car won't start without it. (CAS is the round device on the driver side front engine cover. It has a plug coming out of it. Make sure thats plugged in.

 

well. it seems to be plugged in too. i'll pull it off tomorrow and see if i'm getting power to it. any other thoughts

 

Ya. That connector is most definitely hooked up....What else could be making it not start..i know the coils/igniters are good