I have a 87 GXL that sometimes when starting it turns over slower and there is a clunking noise when it does start. About a year ago I had to replace the starter and that is when this started, yes i have the right starter. When it turns over at a normal RPM it starts without that extra clunking noise. I have put in a 650 cca battery, and replaced the battery cables, thinking it was a power problem...it's not cause it still does it...Any ideas on what to try next...Have any of you run into this problem before? Where is the car grounded...I cannot find it and was going to replace to fix some other small issues with the internal lights. Thanks for any info you can give.

 

Car should be grounded near below the battery. Follow the negative cable. Corrosion tends to make that connection bad.

 

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/grounding.htm

 

Ok got the ground info thats great...any guesses on the starter clunking and slow turn over when starting?

 

Is the sound more like a clunk or a pop?

 

A clunk for sure

 

Have you tried a different battery?

 

It's probably a battery drain that slowly drains the battery while the car sits, resulting a slow cranking speed when you try to start it. I had the same problem, I ended up having a drain somewhere in the 'room' fuse circuit.

I have no input on the clunking issue, however.

 

try putting in the shims between the starter and the tranny. if that doesnt fix it, then i would start checking the flywheel for broken pinion teeth, that would make a thunk if there are any teeth missing or broken.

 

What is the "'room' fuse circuit"....???

As to the battery I already replaced it (the one that came with the car) wiht a 650 cca instead of a 550cca, thinking that would solve it...NOT!

The Flywheel has all its teeth....I was told that Mazda didn't shim their starters...there are no shims listed parts wise where would I get shims and how thick?

 

^ Check here. If you skipped out on buying quality hydraulics you are going to need it in a couple months anyway.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/f-hydral.htm