I thought I would try the here.
 

Okay, I have a '85 GSL-SE
I can't get the thing started.

I've replaced the coils, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributors caps, igniters, battery, and fuel pump.
It has strong spark, good compression, and it's getting fuel. :( When I try to start it, it cranks, and that's it. Tried push starting it and it doesn't want to start.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Try the first gen forum section?



-Ted

Are you positive it is getting fuel? Do the plugs get wet when you crank it? If so, it is severly flooded, that can be the only explanation. If you are not sure about getting fuel, it could also be broken injector connectors. That was my problem a few months ago.
Oh yeah, one remote possibility is the ECU itself. Check all the ECU terminals per the manual.

Let us know.........

Ted as my header mentions " I thought I would try the here." I tried getting info from the 1st gen section with no luck. :(

rxseven - Yeah I'm positive that it's getting fuel, the plugs are wet when cranked. I'll double check the injector connectors. Your the second person that mentioned the possibility of the ECU being bad. Is there something I should check for? or just use my Haynes manual?

The engine needs three things to run - fuel, spark, and proper timing.

Fuel - too much fuel is a possibility, as your spark plugs are wet.

Spark - that doesn't seem to be the case since you've confirmed spark is fine.

Timing - shoot a timing gun to see if you can see the proper timing marks.&nbsp If the spark is firing in the wrong place, it's not going to work.



-Ted

Just check the voltage on all pins using a manual. That's how I found my injectors were not firing. I know two guys (both reliable sources and certifiable rotary nuts) who told me they had to swap ECUs when they owned SEs due to no start condition.
Oh, I forgot, make sure that you have a real good battery when trying to start in the flooded condition. By the way, have you followed the unflooding procedure lined out at rx7.com? I would do the unflooding first and if it still did not start try to shoot a little oil through the plug holes and then try it. Don't use ATF please, it is really rough on the plugs and you may foul them before you get it to start.

Might wanna give a look to your catalytic converter :) I messed with a car for a day or so, before I said as a last resort the cat is stopped up, unbolted the exhaust from the motor and then it ran :)

Might be work checking...

great suggestions guys.

i have the ecu out right now is there a way i can test it or do i need bring it down to mazda? if it is bad anyone know where i can get a replacement for cheap? i'll check the cat aswell. what do you mean by "check the voltage on all pins using the manual"? What pins?

you say it has good compression, have you verified with a compression test?

yeah, i have a compression tester.

Did the timing get set way off. Plug wires going to the right plugs etc...

Just throwing out Ideas.

Sorry, I should have been a little clearer. I meant the wiring harness connectors that hooks on to the ECU. Haynes shows a picture of what voltage each pin on the ECU sees. Turn the ignition on and check the voltage at the connectors corresponding to each pin on the ECU.

I don't know of a way to test the ECU other than to swap it but I would do it only as a last resort after you have gone over everything else atleast 3 times!
Good luck.

Just curious, what are your compression readings?
Oh and you did not mention if you completely unflooded the engine. I know several people who have to crank the crap out of it before it starts. it should fire up with a rolling start though.