I just bought an 88 RX-7 Convertible. I love it besides the fact that it needs to be put back together. The haynes manual I bought doesn't have all the info I need. So, for the moment, I would like to ask for some help. When I turn the key, a red P comes on inside the tach, and an orange HOLD flashes. Anyone know what this means and how I can fix it? Also, a constant buzzing sound is present, and is quite loud and annoying. Any and all help would be appreciated!!

 

There are no "P"s on an 88 'verts dash, sure you don't have a 89 with an auto tranny??

 

I DEFINITELY don't have an auto tranny, but am not positive with the model year, and there is definitely a red(lighted)P inside and under a little of the tach.

 

maybe it's an auto->manual??

 

Possible, but doubt it, just because of the person that I bought it from, wil definitely check into it. I also need help on how to take off the top. I already took out the bolts on the outside, but it's got springs and such. need to know if there is anything else that needs to be taken off for the top to go.

 

just movin it up

 

Your car used to be an auto. S5's had indicators in the instrument cluster for the gearbox. The "P" is for Park (and will have R, N, 3, 2, 1 after it) and the "Hold" is the indicator for the Hold mode.

I'm guessing the Hold indicator is flashing because the EC-AT computer module that controls the auto is still plugged in but is confused by the lack of auto gearbox.

For info on removing the roof go to www.fc3s.org or www.iluvmyrx7.com and download the Factory Service Manual in PDF format for free. This is your FC bible. Just about everything you need to know about your car is in there. You only need to download the chapters that you need at the time, in this case the Body chapter.

 

probably can just unplug the third plug on the back of the cluster as well:

89-92 cluster:

 

thanx for the help. I thought the 88 was an s4? I'm new to the rx-7 scene, so don't judge me though. I'll look into it and thanx for the link.

 

what do u mean by "hold mode"

 

It is, but there was not the Hold light in the dash until 89. The tranny hold feature only was available in the S5 cars.

and since you say the light is on, there must be the third plug which suggests that the wireing is for an 89+ car. Not an 88.

So again, you have either an 89+ car or a 89+ gauge cluster.

what is the 10th digit in the VIN?
J, K, L, M, N???

88, 89, 90, 91, 92

 

Hold is used on some mazda cars like the millenia SP*

I think it keeps the tranny in that gear....it prevents the auto from shifting

 

it doesn't have the round style taillights like the s5's did(I think), but I don't know. Also would like to know what the very LOUD AND ANNOYING buzzing/tone sound is. always present, as soon as I turn the key on, and doesn't go away when the car is running. I need to get a new exhaust system( I don't have mufflers, and am using that as my ecxuse for the cat-back). I was reading in the archive about having true dual exhaust. I was wondering about how I would go about that.