STR8BALLIN - R

Just some quick questions. Ive had the car for about 2 years (88vert) and all electricals have been fine other than a slight problem with my wiper switch (which was easily fixed by slightly tapping the key in the ignition)
Now it seems some weird **** is going on and I am wondering if this is bad news or just a classic case of some regrounding work required.
As of lately when i get in the car and turn the key in the ignition I get nothing, sometimes it takes up to 3 turns of the key to get the car to come to life and then sometimes while im driving listening to my tunes my stereo(still stock) will just cut out. Like the radio and it wont go back onno matter how many times i turn it on and off, then it just suddenly comes back out of the blue.
Do these sound like im having grounding troubles or what?
can someone point me in the right direction to the grounding how-to's and what to buy etc. I think i may do this project this weekend if my symptoms sound like a grounding problem.
Thanks all in advance

Greys 10th

more than likely needs a new ignition switch....or something in the switch has gone bad. a locksmith can usually replace it
hope that helps

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

There is a thread about this in the archive. But pretty much all you're supposed to do is ground to the chassis, leading and Trailing Coil packs, and the O-ring connector on the third rotor housing. DO NOT GROUND THE BOOST/PRESSURE SENSOR though. That will give you worse gas mileage, andsworse 3800 RPM hesitation.
Thats basically all you have to do, use 10 guage wire(I believe 14 is the smallest you want to go) and O-ring connectors. Make sure to clean the contact points of these grounds on the chassis, or they wont help for ****.

In your situation though, I think it's an issue of your ignition itself, and grounds. I'm not a big electrical guy,ask WAYNE88N/A he'll probably be able to help you the most.

SureShot

You are going to have to fix the worn out relay in the wiper switch real soon.

The other problems could all be comming from the ignition switch.
The switch is a seperate part attached to the back of the ignition lock.
I had good results removing the plastic cover & using spray contact cleaner in the switch. (not the key lock)

Maybe oil the lock while you're in there.

Fitness Stain

what the hell ... i thought that was one of the main ones you were supposed to do ... i want to have good gas milage (or as good as it will get atleast)

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

The ecu sends out ground signals to electric parts in the engine bay, the pressure sensor being one of them, say the ecu is sending a signal to the AFM and pressure sensor, the AFM gets the right one, but the pressure sensor does not, therefore the components don't work together properly resulting in worse gas mileage acceleration etc. Don't ground the pressure sensor, but the ground on the 3rd rotor housing and the chassis.

Also if you get really crappy gas mileage, Replace your O2 sensor, you could get an improvement as much as 8MPG or more.

Get what I'm saying? Another forum member explained it to me, I took off the ground I had going to the Boost/pressure sensor and got mucvh smoother acceleration, no 3800RPM hesitation, and better gas mileage.

Greys 10th

Well I know the 2nd Gen is natorious for the wiper switch going out, but it might not be messed up.

When the ignition messes up like that it cuts all the accesories(sp?) off then if you wiggle it the right way they can come back on. More than likely something in the ignition switch has broken weather one piece can be replaced or not i dont know....just have the whole ignition switch replaced at least that is what i would do. Oh and when i say ignition switch i mean where you put your key in to start the car. You may have grounding issues but i would start with the switch first, I bet stuff quits cutting out when you are going down the road if you get the switch replaced.

One thing that just popped into my head while i am typing, is if you had grounding issues i think the car would be running like crap and have a hard time idleing and you didnt mention anything about that, when i went to the rotary revolution a guy had a grounding problem, although it was with a 3rd gen, it wouldnt idle worth a crap...they found loose ground tightened it up and it idles perfect i dont think u have a grounding problem unless there is some info you left out
let us know when you find out.
I dont say much on here but i am telling you replace the switch and that will fix the problems you mentioned. i could be wrong but i doubt it
Good luck
sorry for the length

STR8BALLIN - R

was out driving tonight and come to think of it, i have been having very MINOR idling issues ( or what i would say as i havent had any before)
Sometimes when i start the car it will kind of jump between 1000rpm's and down (say 500) back and forth for a few seconds. This doesnt happen all the time but i have noticed it.
Also, i was coming inot a park position infornt of a store the other day and i swerve in rather fast to the parking spot , downshifting and the engine actually cut out on me as I was breaking to a stop.
I dont know if this would be attributed to grounding or the ignition but i would like to get to the bottom of this soon.
Anybody know how much ignition switches are??/ or have any sources for good used ones?
thanks again boys, keep the help coming!

Fitness Stain

but so many people have grounded this, and noticed great results ...

fusion-turbo

About the pressure sensor ground, it may work for some, it may not. Mazda had the pressure sensor grounded the way it was for a reason, and it worked fine for many years. My guess is, much like the fuel pump re-wire, the best was to attack this problem would be a complete re-wire of all ecu grounding components, or a new harness. SInce most cant afford that, we try this instead. SInce elctricity can be a **** sometimes, it will work for some and not for others

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

So many people have also done all the other grounds too. The Pressure sensor has a negative effect. try grounding ONLY the pressure sensor. See what happens.

turboii87rx7

im not really sure where the 3rd rotor housing is, does anyone have a pic of this ground? I am having bad idling issues, and i've already checked my bac, and my tps... both are working fine. i found a vac leak, but i dont know if it is the only culprit. I would like to work on my grounds while my car is apart. Just to be sure now... you connect the body, the 3rd rotor housing, and the coil packs to the neg. battery terminal... correct?
thanks... sorry to jack ur thread

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

Thats what I did, I'd also chip some paint away on one of the strut towers, and throw one there. Definately stop your vac leak though, its probably your problem.

STR8BALLIN - R

well, thanks for the hijack of my thread!!!

Any one have any other suggestions, my ignition appears to be fine.
thanks

WAYNE88N/A

Like Greys 10th said in the second post, it sounds like an ignition switch...

"my ignition appears to be fine"- are you talking about the switch, or the ignition system?