So here's the story. I was walking up to my car today, and not even a second after it started it died, and now when I try to start it, the engine doesn't even turn and the engine just makes a really deep clicking noise. My dad said that it could be the starter but I don't want to get a starter for 250$ (non-refundable) and find out that it wasn't the problem. Any ideas or suggestions you guys could give me. It's an 87 RX7 n/a. The engine has about 65k on it and I don't think it's the engine but can't think of what it could be. All help is appreciated! Plus I gotta return my girlfriends mom's car in less than 2 hours and i need it to pick up any necessary parts. Thanks guys

 

I forgot to mention that I tried jump-starting the car with no success. It just did the same deep clicking sound and refused to start.

 

bump

 

try turning the motor by hand to make sure it did not lock up. If you have to, pull the plugs and make sure it is not flooded

 

I've had flooding happen before but it never did this noise. When it was flooded it would at least rotate but just wouldn't start. Now it totally refuses to start. How would I manage to turn the motor by hand?

 

you might be able to grab the front pulley and turn it or you may have to get a breaker bar and socket. if it turns try tapping on the starter with a wrench or a hammer.

 

I'll give that a shot and let you know how it goes. Keep the inputs coming.

 

I read through the repair manual and everything is suggesting that it would be the starter. I wasn't able to find out how to rotate the motor but I think i'm going to go and get a new or rebuilt starter. If that doesn't work...then I don't know where to go from there. I'll worry about that when the time comes.

 

Smack the starter housing with a wrench or hammer or piece of wood and then try to start it. May have to smack it a couple of times. if this works then you need to replace the starter since it has a dead spot.

 

i have the same problem... replaced my starter... nothing same damn clicking noise... i can turn the flywheel by hand so i decided to redo my battery cables and am almost finished... if this doesn't work then i dont know what to do...

 

First check for a weak battery to starter & ground cable connection.

After trying to crank it, the bad spot will be warm.

 

You should be able to hand-rotate the motor by pulling on your alternator belt, or using a socket on your e-shaft pulley (19mm, IIRC).

The tapping on the starter trick works best if you have a helper hold the key in the "start" position, so that power is being applied to the solenoid.

 

Ok so I got a new starter today and was going ahead to get it replaced. As I got under the car and found the starter, I wasn't able to get the starter off! My nuts were way too tight Any suggestions on what I could do. I just read the new posts on this thread and found that I could get the car started and get it to a mechanic but I'll only do that if worst comes to worst. Save myself 75$ if I could do it myself. Could somebody guide me through the process of changing my starter and what I could do about those damn nuts? Thanks for all the input guys

 

Try Pblaster? Liquid Wrench? or even WD40? spray that on the bolts and that might loosen up any corrosion.

 

Screw loose aka WD-40 on the bolt if you can get a breaker bar in there try that

 

Ok I'm going to do that the first chance I get. Unfortunately today is the monday of my week so I'm going to have to get it done sometime in there. I'll keep you guys posted!

 

I tried starting my car after I attempted to remove the starter, and it was making really...different noises. It sounded closer to getting started but unfortunately that didn't happen. It sounds like a dying camel, a really unsteady whirring. Sounds almost like the wa-wa of a guitar. Not quite as rythmic though. Wonder why that is...

 

did you check the wiring? can you check the voltage at the starter while someone else turns the key?

 

and I would do that how? With a voltmeter on the positive terminal of the starter I'm guessing?

 

bump

 

yeah and and the neg of the voltmeter on the body od the starter or motor

 

Ok i'm going to try and borrow a voltmeter from my work today and I'll let you guys know how that goes. It should be at least 12 v right?

 

to get the nuts and bolts out put your socket on and keep smacking the handle witha a mallet. only way ive been able to get tranny bolts off without air tools

 

man, I've seen this problem a few times with other cars. Its usually ALWAYS a bad battery or electrical system.

Me thinks that your car died becuase your alternator is shot and wasn't charging the battery enough. Thus, you can't turn over the car. Buy a new battery, or try and charge your current one and try again. The starters on these cars usually are very very good.

 

and i suppose doing this voltage test will prove if it is that problem or throw the possibility of it out?