Interesting electrical issue.
#1
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting electrical issue.
1987 Mazda RX-7 GXL (turbo swapped)
Yesterday I swapped over a "new" unmolested throttle body to replace my old modified throttle body that I wasn't very pleased with. I also removed my TII throttle cable and went with the N/A throttle cable set-up.
Today I reinstalled the TMIC, reattached the battery cables, double checked everything and attempted to start the car. Here is what happened...
KEY to "ACC." = Prosport boost gauge lit up and did it's typical starting procedure.
KEY to "ON" = Cut all power.
KEY to "START" = Something made a ticking noise for a few seconds (maybe the trailing coils or main relay), idiot cluster appeared VERY dim, boost gauge turned VERY dim.
KEY returned to "ON" = Ticking noise from engine bay, tachometer bouncing, lights a bit less dim.
So far the main relay has checked out to be good, along with all fuses.
Yesterday I swapped over a "new" unmolested throttle body to replace my old modified throttle body that I wasn't very pleased with. I also removed my TII throttle cable and went with the N/A throttle cable set-up.
Today I reinstalled the TMIC, reattached the battery cables, double checked everything and attempted to start the car. Here is what happened...
KEY to "ACC." = Prosport boost gauge lit up and did it's typical starting procedure.
KEY to "ON" = Cut all power.
KEY to "START" = Something made a ticking noise for a few seconds (maybe the trailing coils or main relay), idiot cluster appeared VERY dim, boost gauge turned VERY dim.
KEY returned to "ON" = Ticking noise from engine bay, tachometer bouncing, lights a bit less dim.
So far the main relay has checked out to be good, along with all fuses.
#4
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The TMIC is touching the alternator, but not touching any wires. (big Taurus alternator.)
The battery was at ~12V earlier. I checked it before I even attempted to start it the first time. I put a charger with a "start" function on the battery and terminals. The lights on the idiot cluster were bright and there was no loss in power with key to "ON". When I turned the key to "START" the power dropped tremendously and there was only a clicking noise from the starter.
The battery was at ~12V earlier. I checked it before I even attempted to start it the first time. I put a charger with a "start" function on the battery and terminals. The lights on the idiot cluster were bright and there was no loss in power with key to "ON". When I turned the key to "START" the power dropped tremendously and there was only a clicking noise from the starter.
#5
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My earlier searches, fueled by an empty stomach, yielded very little information... My searches now lead me to believe that I may have a bad negative battery cable. I plan to clean ALL grounds and tighten all terminals on everything. Including the starter, alternator, and engine bay fuse box.
Trending Topics
#8
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
W/key to on do items such as wipers or blinkers work? The intermediate connector that is located a foot below the engine fuse box which supplies voltage to the ignition switch is tightly connected?
You can bypass the Main Relay by disconnecting the 4 wire relay plug and jumpering the B/G to the B/Y and the B/W to the W/L.
You can bypass the Main Relay by disconnecting the 4 wire relay plug and jumpering the B/G to the B/Y and the B/W to the W/L.
Last edited by satch; 07-31-12 at 12:43 AM.
#9
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The wipers, headlights, hazards, etc. do not work with key to "ON". There is this odd tickng noise coming from the engine bay with the key to "ON". Particularly in the main relay and trailing coil area.
I'll have to check the intermediate switch tomorrow when I have more light.
#11
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tried bypassing the main relay and sanded lots of terminals. Nothing. With the key to "Acc." I see around ~8V on two main relay wires and then ~4V with key to "ON" on the same two wires. :-/
I did notice that the positive battery cable terminal was pretty warm, though. I am going to try another battery I have around here.
I did notice that the positive battery cable terminal was pretty warm, though. I am going to try another battery I have around here.
#12
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The odd thing was the proper voltage of the bad battery. That warm positive terminal was a pretty good indicator, I suppose.
#13
Trunk Ornament
iTrader: (11)
Voltage does not a (charged) battery make.
When taking the key to start, a large load was placed on the battery. If there's little to no capacity, then the voltage will drop down significantly, causing relays to drop out from an under-voltage condition, giving you the silent treatment.
When taking the key to start, a large load was placed on the battery. If there's little to no capacity, then the voltage will drop down significantly, causing relays to drop out from an under-voltage condition, giving you the silent treatment.
#14
This is my social media.
Thread Starter
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's good to know for future reference.
I had never experienced that... Plus, I found a few mice in that little compartment that houses the windshield wiper linkage. (Between the firewall and dash/interior.) - It made me think that they may have gotten into the engine bay, or even worse... under the dash, and chewed up a bunch of wiring. Luckily they didn't. I cleaned their nest and **** out from that area. The mice really threw me off.
Appreciate the help, guys.
I had never experienced that... Plus, I found a few mice in that little compartment that houses the windshield wiper linkage. (Between the firewall and dash/interior.) - It made me think that they may have gotten into the engine bay, or even worse... under the dash, and chewed up a bunch of wiring. Luckily they didn't. I cleaned their nest and **** out from that area. The mice really threw me off.
Appreciate the help, guys.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rgordon1979
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
40
03-15-22 12:04 PM
rx8volks
Canadian Forum
0
09-01-15 10:46 PM