86 RX& S4 base model. sometimes it starts sometimes it doesn't. got under the dash probily 10 min ago and found out that where the harness passes through the firewall it's melted . is this common on FC's? would it be worth trying to fix it or just get a new harness? also what years will fit into a 86 RX7 base?

 

Not common, probably due to an engine fire previous to you owning the car. Engine fires ARE common.

 

the car is clean, it was garage kept it's whole life by a doctor till he passed. no engine fire ever, one owner and family friend. it did at one time have a very very 80's alarm on it that i removed. maybe it shorted it out? so i'm guessing i need to get a new one. what year window do i have to pick from?

 

86-87.5.

 

if the harness is melted, i would replace or repair it. you should however find out the severity of the melting and damage. its likely that the car had an engine fire at one time due to a leaking pulsation damper. very common problm with the 13B NA more so than with the TII.

 

i will retype this once more..... their has never been nor never will be (knock on wood) a fire in the car. i knew the people who owned it, the doctor was my family doctor for many years. ONE OWNER, hell i still have the dealer window sticker from 86. i'm going to pull it and try to repair it because it just looks like a small amout of melting, if i can't i'll get a new one. but in the future, learn how to read

 

Perhaps someone has removed the exhaust heat shields in the past. The only time I see melted harnesses is due to fire or if those have been removed.

 

hmm heatshields? but the exhaust is on the passenger side of the engine bay and the harness passes through the far far corner of the driverside firewall? my harness is slightly burnt on the INSIDE of the car after it passes through the firewall. everything in the engine bay looks squeeky clean even the boot when the harness passes though. i'll try to take a picture tomm.