LightningRider

I've got an 89 non-turbo vert. I can't get it to start. I believe it's in the ignition. I pulled the starter and it tested fine. I replaced both battery cables. When it does turn over, it cranks very slowly and the solenoid clicks. I can get it started by rolling it and popping the clutch, but the tach quits, it loads up and backfires. When I turn the ignition, it turns fine and all the idiot lights come on. A couple of times tonight it started with the key. I shut it off and started it again. I went into the house to get my son to ride along and when I went to start it, it seemed like the battery was dead. The battery is new and the alternator was tested and passed. O.K. Is it the ignition switch? Electronic ignition module? ??????????? Should I put it out to pasture?? Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

Steve
85 GS
89 Vert
07 Touring

lonetlan

I'm in the same boat as you.

I changed the coil packs and the fuses(in the engine bay) and it started. While cranking the tac would work, but when my car finally started, it would stop; but my car would idle rough, I can't go 20ft without it suddenly turning off.

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

With a fully charged battery the engine turns over slow?

LightningRider

Yep! I pulled the top two spark plugs and the engine turned over fine. I put the plugs back in and the car started twice in a row. When my son jumped in with me to go for a spin. Click, Click, Click, slow crank.......... We then popped the clutch and it ran but with no tach and it started running rough. I would turn the key off and then on before the engine quit running totally and then it would start running again but rough. Brand new battery, fully charged. Alternator and starter both bench checked ok.

lonetlan

I think it could be a vacuum leak, and a short on the transmission tacometer wire. I'm going to clarify tomorrow.

lonetlan

My tac isn't shorted, I changed all my lines so their isn't a vacuum leak.

Could "LightningRider" and I have a bad thermoswitch?

LightningRider

I'm going to replace the starter. It just seems to me like it's dragging under load. Without it in the car it tests o.k. but they don't test it with a load applied. Battery is showing 14.1 and the engine turns over like the temp is below zero. Yes, there is oil in the engine and it's clean. LOL!

lonetlan

I just got a new started and that didn't fix anything.

LightningRider

What is your RX7 doing? Does it turn over and just not start? Mine is not even turning over.

LightningRider

I went out today and rechecked all the wires. I think it was the ground strap from the starter from the frame. DOH!!!! It started and ran fine after I cleaned and tightened the strap.

lonetlan

Mine would turn over, but won't spark. I've changed coil packs, relay, spark plugs, wires; I thought we had the same problem. I'll keep working on it.

Glad you got your 7 running!

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

Haha this had me scratching my head. You might want to run another ground from the spot on the frame where the starter grounds to the engine block somewhere.

LightningRider

Yep! Did just that. Now I'm trying to figure out why it's pulsating at idle. Revs to about 1800 from 1100. Sometimes it does when I let it idle in gear and the car start chugging till I push in the clutch.

JunpoweR

iTrader: (1)

Bypass air control valve faulty or solenoid problems, pinch the BAC valve air hose that goes into the manifold and see it it calms down PM me if you need help

Gregory Casimir

iTrader: (8)

welll now my car is having the same turning over slowly issue and it used to start up just fine and now it acts like there is not enough power. Both my alternater and starter checked out okay and the battery is fully charged? Lonetlan did you finally get it to run properly?

satch

iTrader: (1)

You may be suffering from a voltage drop issue. Watch the supplied vid for insight to help narrow things down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry68G0C2Fyc

Gregory Casimir

iTrader: (8)

well i have to clean a LOT of my grounds now and replace a few fuses but thanks for the video! I'll let you know how that turns out. also the difference between my car and the video is that my car actually turns over really slow and doesn't make that clicking sound on the start but i hear the starter working but everything sounds like it is dying!

satch

iTrader: (1)

Your starter is getting more voltage than compared to the car in the video, that's all, and remember to also check the "positive cable" from the battery to the starter for possible voltage drop as witnessed in the vid. Takes a few people though to do.