I have an 88 n/a rx7 that just wants to keep running even after i turn off the key and pull it out of the ignition. I have no idea what the problem is but my biggest fear is that its going to be really expensive.

please help.

(the car shuts itself off after a while but for a good 2 or 3 min. after i take out the key, it stays alive!!!!)

 

You probably need to lube & clean a well worn ignition lock.

You may have already tried jiggling the key in the off position to get it to turn off.

Look for a replacement ign. switch.

 

if worst comes to worst you could always pop it into first gear (if its a standard) and let the clutch out really slow and it'll just stall, but i don't think thats too good for the car but until you get it fixed you could do that

 

Turbo Timer install by previous owner? That is how my Turbo Supra (with TT) works, but I installed the TT myself.

Maybe the previous owner had a turbo motor in before?

 

or you could stick it in 5th gear and dump the clutch. You won't even feel a lurch.

Install a batt. kill switch?

How many miles does the car have? It really sounds like your ign. switch.

 

thats what i was thinking. a little odd. if anything you could always install the unflooding switch. that way you could kill it if it doesn't want to shut off. this couldn't be a s4 ecu problem could it? not as familiar with them but it seems half of this weird stuff is usually tied to it somehow.

 

Probably just a worn igniton switch. Look for the simple causes before you look for the exotic ones.

 

Do rotaries ever diesel? I know piston cars can, but never heard of a rotary doing it. Anyone know?

 

Being he said its a N/A I think we can rule out the turbo timer If it was the ignition switch, why would it turn off minutes after the key was switched off??

 

Answer (please read before posting):
Maybe the previous owner left it in to warm the car on cold mornings. I know I use mine that way. My friend with a N/A Honda asked if I can install one for him.

Sounds exactly like a turbo timer if it turns off 2-3 min later consistently. A worn ignition switch would not be as reliable, timewise.

In fact, TT are wired into the ignition wiring harness, so if you did a T->N/A swap, you may not touch that wiring even if swapping out ECU and engine wiring harness. (You dont normally change out the ignition during an engine swap) My turbo timer electronics is hidden behind the glovebox so something like that may be easy to overlook.

I'm not saying for sure that it is a TT, I am pointing out that the symptoms are consistent with that possibility so dont go discounting that because it is an N/A.

 

it never was a turbo, its completely stock and has 198,000 miles on it. I'm leaning toward an ignition switch problem. I'll at least start there. Thanks fella's.

 

how much does an ignition switch usually run (money wise) and is it hard to install yourself?

 

Let us know what it is when you find out... thanks.

 

Mazdatrix lists close to $100

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=66-1510-FB01

You could also look for a used one, post an add in the for sale section of this forum, or check on ebay. Probably cost you about $25 that way. I still dont understand why it would shut off 2 or 3 minutes later if the ignition switch was shot. Its either switching off or its not. Could someone explain this?

And mach3turbo, I was just joking arounf about the timer, hence the winkey face

 

Go get a used ignition from a low mileage car. ive seen ignitions go out on cars with high miles 200k and yours seems about the same time so it seems a need of replacing. -Gabe

 

Try this. Find your MAIN RELAY next to and under the trail coil assy. Start your car and warm it up. Now turn the key off. If the engine is still runnning, pull both plugs off the MAIN RELAY. Pay attention to which disconnected plug made the car die. Write back the results. I think you might have a contact in the MAIN RELAY sticking.

There's about three or four dozen differnt ways to find out why. Just try that and maybe save a few bucks.

 

I'd try taking the two wire connector off the main relay first.