I got this 1990 RX7 off of my brother, he started having troubles with it and started to part it out. It has around 100,000 miles on it. Auto transmission rebuilt about 10,000 miles ago. He lowered it, and put several new things on the car. He told me to just take it to the junkyard, but it is in nice shape. I hate to give up on it. Anyway, before it was parked it was not running well. It got worse over time. For example, while he was driving he could not put the radio on because it would make the car cut out really bad. He did have MSD coils on it, but thought that was the problem so he replaced them with the factory ones.
Just for fun today, I put some plugs and wires on the car and tried to start it. It cranks and almost starts, but it just won't fire. I checked the resistance of the harness to the crank sensor and I checked the coils to see if they are getting power. They are getting power. I am new to mazdas, so this is baffling to me. I would love to get this car on the road! After I cranked it today, the hold button flashed continuosly. I have searched and read about grounding, as well as many other possibilities. Where do I start? I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer me. Thanks

FYI: engine mods are header, removed air pump, new catback, K&N and electric fan.

 

To begin with, check error codes (read under How-To's at http://www.1300cc.com), then, if that's all good and you have no errors, check for fuel (what good is spark with no fuel?) If you're getting fuel, then check compression. That should pretty much lead you to the cause of your problem. (Unless it's a massive vac leak, or something similar.

 

If it's been sitting for a while, the first thing I would do is clean the in-tank filter (on the pump), take a look around the tank while you're there, and clean if necessary...Then change the main fuel filter...If still no go, pull the 2 upper & 2 lower fuel injectors, and either attempt cleaning them yourself, or send them off to a reputable vendor for a good clean & flow test...Then get back with us if you've still got probs...

 

So far, I have noticed that the ground that is supposed to be hooked up next to the wiper motor is not hooked up. The wire is missing. I guess this is a start. I am not sure if I could get accurate compression readings since I can't warm the car up. Or does this matter? At the moment I can't check what the codes are, since my brother got mad and took the idiot gauges out of the dash!! I am going to see if I can't get them back this weekend.

I noticed today when I was cranking that I smelled fuel. The car has been sitting for about 2 years now. He parked it because it quit starting altogether

 

It doesn't matter if they're accurate, if you can get even a rough reading on it, it'll give you an idea if you've lost an apex seal.

 

I'll do a compression test tomorrow. Under the dash I just found a fuse missing out of what the manual says is "engine".

 

Ha, that would do it ...You only need that for the main relay to energize the ignition & fuel systems, ya think that might be your problem? j/k...BTW- I still say check the fuel items, our injectors don't like sitting around doing nothing for long periods of time...

 

Also found a black wire screwed to the bellhousing right next to the oil filter that is dangling. It has a white connector on it. Is this supposed to be hooked to something? Also noticed on my leading coils, the white connector has 2 wires going into it. There is a third dark brown or black one with black tape not hooked to anything coming out of the coil wiring. Thanks so much for the help already

 

If you don't already have it, you might want to snag the factory service manual (available at random places online).

-=Russ=-

 

Yes connect that bell housing wire to the firewall! Thats probably alot of the problem!! My friends TII would not start/barley start because of that wire being disconnected!!!!!!!

 

My copy of the manuals on-line is at the link in my sig below.

 

Thanks for the link! I have already printed a bunch of stuff today! I have a Haynes manual, I am getting ready to go out right now and hook up this wire. Hopefully I can find where it goes. Maybe it should be extended up to that wiper motor where there is a ground missing.

Anyone know where this black wire goes? It mounts to the bellhousing right next to a black box which is hooked up. It has a white connector on it, and it is a thicker wire. Thanks

 

Ok, update!

I can get the car to fire now. It fires then dies. Won't respond to gas. Just "wooom" down to nothing. Got the grounds fixed. It is like someone flips a switch.

I did notice that a relay under the dash, I think it is yellow, clicks shortly after it dies. Don't know if this matters or not. What do ya think?

The car is getting fuel. I took the pressure hose off and cranked it. It only pumps fuel if you crank it. I thought it would kick on when you click the key to the one position, but that wasn't the case.

 

I got disconnected from the net. Sorry for the extra post. Anyway, I hear a relay clicking behind the passenger headlight when I crank it. Does this mean it is working? I jumped the yellow harness after reading about this when I was searching. It didn't help anything.

 

Sounds like it's getting closer. Sucks that you can't check for errors though, that could possibly make life a lot easier. I'd check for spark and compression though, those are the two easiest and most important things.

 

The wire goes to a tab on the firewall.
Look right next to the wiper motor, over about 2 inches.

The wiper motor is located on the left hand side of the firewall.

 

I got that ground hooked up. Still just fires, then dies. I am thinking maybe it is a regulator or fuel pump? I am going to get a pressure tester and see what pressure the pump is putting out while cranking.