my brothers 7 was running but he went to start it one day and it just spins without cranking. He bought it with a f'd up setup but it was running as long as you didn't give it more then 1/3 throttle. it is a 89 rx7 running an 86 N/A motor on a 89 turbo harness and ecu. I know, its dumb but it was running fine under 1/3 throttle.

anyway, heres a youtube link to it trying to start

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_0fH0ZprFE

it has compression in both housings (poor mans compression test done), it has spark (although the plugs are fouled a little, we cleaned em up now but still nothing), the fuel pump is working (we even hotwired it to a hot lead and ran it while cranking), we tried de-flooding it by yanking the fuse and cranking but still nothing. also tried pushing it and pop starting a few times and it tries to start for 1 second but then dies again.

I think it might be the starter? the pulleys are spinning just nothings cranking at all. WHAT"S WRONG WITH HIS CAR!GRRRRRRRR!!!!

 

Here is my version which is similar to yours but I got fixed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMMWF...e=channel_page

Here is what I did:
Remove the park plugs
Let the gasoline evaporate because you have flooded it by now.
Clean your spark plugs
pour a tablespoon of motor oil in each plug hole
Turn the engine manually if you can
Put the plugs back in.
Check that the battery connectors are firmly in place (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!)
Ignition then lift off, I mean turn the engine. It will hesitate but compression will build up, smoke will come out but it will start.
Let us know how it went
Drew

 

well, since we can't get the starter off I guess we will try that now. one of the starter bolts is STUCK. we used a ton of PB blaster and we tried hammering a rachet and everything we could but no air tools here so we took a break. we already tried de-flooding it but not the way you have done it. thanks for the info, will get back to you soon.

 

The problem is NOT the starter since it's turning. Put back the bolts and don't mess with the starter

 

Hey I am having the exact same problem....what did u do to correct it. I heard that if you just went a head and traded your rx-7 with your brother for both of his you would solve the problem for him yo. But I would say to try and unflood it first

 

okay thanks, and post #5 was my brother being stupid on his laptop. what a duetch land.

 

just to specify, you just took the plugs out and let it evaporate WITHOUT cranking the motor right?

 

Yes, I just let it sit for 15 minutes, poured a little oil then turned the engine by hand.
I also noticed that this condition can occur when your battery is not making full connection with the harness. Clean the battery terminals while you let the car rest with the plugs removed. Also clean the cable inner terminals. You need a good clean and solid contact. RX7s are very finicky when it comes to electric current.

 

well, we are letting it sit right now with the plugs out. we're going to go grab some food and then clean the plugs when we get back. thanks for the help, appreciate it.

BTW the car has brand new terminals and battery so contact should not be an issue.

 

Then make sure that the terminals are tight in place. Put a voltmeter on the harness while someone cranks and watch the voltage.
Be patient with the car when you came back, it won't start on the first tries, just keep at it and keep the gas pedal pushes to a MINIMUM so you don't flood the car again.

 

GOT IT! We tried starting it first a few times without throttle and then a little. right off the bat it was sounding like it was cranking a lot better. then we went on a fateful romp pushing it down the street to pop start it. it worked and now its fine other then it not idling but I think that is unrelated as the cars engine doesn't match the harness or ecu. thanks a lot, my bro's job requires lots of driving around.

 

Nice happy ending!

 

now all it needs is either a complete wiring conversion to S4 OR an S5 motor.lol. we tried bringing the idle up but we think its up all the way. the difference in compression from S4 to S5 might be the reason for the lack of idle but I'm not sure. We now have the S4 ecu and wiring so we will be switching over the wiring I suppose although I think it would be easier to just sell his motor and get an S5. my bro keeps saying " well, we have the S4 stuff so why go and try getting another engine?" to which I reply "it'll be easier then switching the whole cars wiring and you'll have a few more horses". He's stubborn, oh well. thanks for all the help.

 

Willing to sell/trade the 89 turbo ecu for a N351 n/a s5 ecu? I'll put cash on top. Would be also why you can't go past 1/3 throttle. The turbo ecu has a knock sensor that is suppose to be hooked up.

 

sorry, we need an S4 N/A and already have one. thanks for the offer though.

 

the other day my buddy had me go check up on his rx7. tried unflooding it but i guess it was flooded too much. so i had my buddy in his celica supra push the car around while i tried popping the clutch. the first couple attempts was a drag but then i had a long fast push and held my foot on the throttle and it started up. i guess all the air i let in helped clear it more.

so always try a push start when having start up issues.