RedShayla

Hi guys!

I have a problem!!!

My car has worked great since I got her. Yesterday She had a hard time starting, but she did start.

This morning, I tried starting her and she wouldn't turn over. Just kept making an airy whizzing noise.

I'm scared!! I know nothing about cars and feel so hopeless cause i want to fix her!! I don't want to get jipped by @ss-hole scammers (car shops) cause its happened before. (cause im a girl i guess.)

Where do i start? what do i do.

Any info would help a lot.

Thanks guys!

Shayla

AcidShock

iTrader: (49)

Check the battery. Sounds like it is not getting enough juice to spin the engine. Because you said that yesterday you had a hard time starting that is why I think the battery might not have enough power. If you are able to jump it off another car just fine, I would look into your alternator next, perhaps it is not charging the battery adequately.

3RotorRocket

Battery,alternator,bad connection,it could be a number of things.Do your lights work?Could you post an engine bay pick?Welcome to the club.

RedShayla

yeah, my lights work, The battery indicator in the dash says its holding @ 12V

It is cold But not freezing... 50-60 degrees (the weather temp not the car haha)

Ill go take pics of the engine. (its not pretty, she has a stock engine.)

How much would it cost to replace the alternator?

3RotorRocket

Its not to see if its a pretty engine its to help me diagnose this problem.Get the battery and alternator checked ASAP.

Nick86

iTrader: (1)

Does the car turn over really slowly? If not, I doubt it's your battery.

The last time you drove it - was it a short trip? ie did the car get warmed up? I ask because I think you flooded it.

When a car gets really flooded, the engine turns really quickly (as if it had no compression) and makes kind of a rushing air noise - which I think is what you are describing.

Take the bottom plugs out of the engine (keep the plug leads away from the holes!) and turn the car over a couple times with the EGI fuse out. chances are that you'll get a serious gas smell, and some gas will come out of the plug holes. Repeat as needed. Dry off the plugs well, reinstall them, and put the fuse back in. If flooding was your problem, that'll cure it.

RedShayla

Last time I started her was in the garage, and i didnt drive anywhere.

I took some pictures. I'll post them after i get them downloaded.

Is it ok if i send the pics via email?

3RotorRocket

yeah no prob....3rotorrocket@rx7club.com

Nick86

iTrader: (1)

It's probably flooded then.

There are a bunch of threads that describe different methods of unflooding the car, depending on just how bad it is. Everything from the ATF trick to towing the car in gear!

Take the plugs out and have a look at them - I'll bet they are soaked. If they are - the engine is flooded. If they are bone dry - it probably isn't.

RedShayla

Ok, message is sent. those are the best shots i could get.

STR8BALLIN - R

nudy shots always get better results..
sounds like a flood to me...

3RotorRocket

I didn't get those pics yet the mail system must be messed up.Umm anyways check the battery terminals...do they look like there from 1991 all ceroaded an ****?

RedShayla

No, the battery terminals are clean. It's a year and a half old battery.

3RotorRocket

not the battery terminals themselves of the battery but the thingys that connect to em.Are those old and ceroaded?They look like this...

RedShayla

They are clean. I don't see any corrosion anywhere

3RotorRocket

Go get the alternator tested.Auto Zone or any store like that will test it for free.Did you try what they told you about the flooding?

Rob500

"This morning, I tried starting her and she wouldn't turn over. Just kept making an airy whizzing noise."

Sounds like the starter is spinning and not engaging the flywheel. If this is the case there is a little plastic fork inside the starter that might be broken. Unfortunately this may require a new starter.

May also be flooded like a few of the posts above indicated. Most mechanics won't know how to unflood a rotary. The simplest procedure is not hard and will not cost you any money. You can easily do it yourself.

Rob

RedShayla

No i haven't tried it yet, I've been too busy asking questions.

I'll try and get it started so i can take her to an auto Zone, just up the street.

Thanks a ton for the help. You guys are great! I'll let you know how it goes.

RedShayla

Let me remind you, I dont know anything about cars... But... I tried something.

Pulled the EGI fuse and held the gas down (no pumping) turned the key.

Did that 4 times.

Put the fuse back in.

She tried starting, made the burping noise from the exhaust, 2 times. In the end she still didnt start, but the battery was draining so i stopped..

I'll wait until tomorrow to see if the gas is cleared out.

then if that dont work...

well, im screwed.

I hope I didnt F*&^ her up even more.

again, thanks for the help.


*falls over and passes out*

DubbayoC

push start it

RedShayla

Going to autozone.

Bleh.

3RotorRocket

So how did it go?

RedShayla

They say she needs a new Starter.
and that it will cost me 100-200 bucks to get a new one.

O.o

3RotorRocket

Did you write down the readings at all?No offense but your a girl they could try and **** you over.So you got the car a jump right?Now when you try starting it does it try to turn over or does it just die out like before?

Rob500

If the car tried to start you don't need a new starter. You did a good thing in pulling the EGI fuse. Get the battery charged and do the EGI fuse thing again. You're almost there. Don't give up. The gas will not clear out by itself.

Rob