I own a 1986 RX7 GXL, the battery died in it a few days ago, so I replaced the battery. The problem is when the new battery was hooked up the 80 amp "MAIN" fuse under the hood blew. I then tried another fuse, and had the same problem. I am not sure if this is keeping it from starting, but there seems to be power getting to the rest of the car, lights, etc. Any help with this problem is greatly appreciated.

 

You have a short somewhere. Remove the fuse and check continuity between it and ground. I bet you will find very low resistance...

Now the problem is finding the short. Remove the alternator and starter. Does it go away? If that's not the cause, it will be a matter of examining all the circuits one at a time with a meter...It is very time consuming.

 

If the fuse still blows after you take the large wire off the alternator, try this. About eight or nine inches below the rectangular fuse box in the engine bay, you will find a connector with one wire. Black in color. See if you have a short at that connector. If not take the connector apart and see if another fuse blows. That wire continues into the crew compartment to the key switch eventually.

 

Cool, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. The guy I bought the car from says he knows what the prob is, his 86 gxl did the same thing when he put a new battery in his. But I will try your suggestions.