I have trouble starting my car. ( I am a new rx-7 owner ) It a 1986 GXL

My car will start, but almost every time (about 8 outta 10 ) I have to hold the key in the start position for like 8-12 seconds before it will acctually turns on. But during that time it will seem like it really really wants to turn on.

Could this be the starter or spark plugs or what.

thanks in advance

 

Satisfy my curiosity. When you hold the key over and you say it wants to start....is the starter motor turning the engine over? Is the starter motor turning over? Or are you just hearing a click sound? If just hearing a click sound, put your meter on the solenoid wire and see if your getting a 12v or thereabouts reading. If your getting 8-12v then probably the starter solenoid. If not, then probably the start relay(has a slightly different name, I forget right now).

 

no it will turn over and crank but like it wont actually turn on for like 8 seconds. its not clicking like its dead or nothing like that, just rotates over and over then it finally i guess you can say "catches" and starts.

 

If I bought a car like that, first I'd take a timing lite to it. If that was ok, I'd pull the lead plugs and check the compression. If it was reasonable I'd change the lead plugs and see what happens. Could be something as simple as old plugs and wires. Does this car idle ok after it warms up? Around 750? Edit// if that is the original engine it could be a flooding problem due to the compression being low.

 

well when it is cold and i start it it idles around 2 then when warm it goes down to like 900. I have new spark plugs with less than 1000 miles on them and new Spark Plug wires ( Blue Thunder ) I'll check the timming and get back to you.

thx