MazdaRX7-87

its bullshit, i turn the key and click, then nothing. then i turn the key again and no noise at all just me turning a key and cursing.

satch

iTrader: (1)

First thing you need to verify is if the battery is properly charged as it should read 12.5 volts or so. Next thing to verify is if the ignition switch is receiving power or not. To do this you need to turn the key to on and check if the wipers and or the turn signals work or not. If they do it validates that the ignition switch is powered up correctly. Do these easy checks and check back with what occured.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Also make sure your cables are tight and clean at the battery.

durtled

try to pop start it sounds like the starter is either shot or stuck

MazdaRX7-87

ya i checked all of my cables everything appears to be hooked up properly and my wipers and blinkers work also. my volt meter said my battery is charged, but it seems like its not getting enough power example the dash lights up but its kinda dim at first, then when i turn the key if my dash lights are on it dims them but the starter dosent make any noise.

Bamato

iTrader: (6)

Could be a dead or dry cell in the battery. That would prevent there being enough CCA to turn the starter. Have you tried push starting the car?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Take your battery in and have it tested! Lights take very little amperage but a starter needs 90-115 amps or more.

When you go to turn the key does the volt meter reading drop and if so to what voltage?

satch

iTrader: (1)

Please don't rely on the voltage gauge for an accurate reading and instead use a multimeter as it takes all of 10 seconds to do. There is a blue plug located near the trailing coil that has a Black/White wire. Check this wire for voltage w/key to start and it will tell you a lot about your problem.

MazdaRX7-87

alright I'm going to try that when i get home.

Bamato

iTrader: (6)

Any luck?

oakback

Jump start it. If it starts, your battery is probably bad. Drive to an auto parts store and have them test it, then replace if necessary.

If the jump didn't work, but your ignition works (like you said, wipers/lights), it sounds like the problem is your starter. Trying tapping on it with a rubber mallet or wooden handle of your hammer, this might get it to crank up. Look into getting a new starter, or find an old guy in a small, dirty shop to rebuild your starter.

Puck

iTrader: (1)

Push your clutch in!

MazdaRX7-87

no luck yet i tried testing the blue connection wit the keys in but i couldn't get a reading. im starting to think it is just the starter because the engine do sent even try to turn over when i turn the key. and the battery was reading 17.5v.

satch

iTrader: (1)

The B/W wire in the blue plug would only have voltage w/key to start. Is this what you tested. This particular B/W wire goes to the starter so the starter is not going to do anything unless the B/W wire has voltage w/key to start.

EDIT: The battery read 17.5 volts!!!!! Was this with engine running or not?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Jesus Christ quit screwing around and just have the damn battery tested. You guys are just making this more complicated than it has to be. It's basic 101 voltage here, not brain surgery!


Do 1 thing at a time!

MazdaRX7-87

But why would things work if battery was dead?

MazdaRX7-87

and yes i tested it with the keys in the on position. and the car was not running when i tested the battery.

markusparkus

iTrader: (1)

Because there might be enough juice to power smaller items, lights and wipers etc, but not enough to power the starter, which takes WAY more amps than the little stuff. You can take the battery in and have it load tested at a lot of parts places. Another option is to jump start the car, if it starts, then your battery is definitely suspect. Especially since it's reading 17.5V.

Bamato

iTrader: (6)

It's amperage you're concerned with, not voltage. Dash lights and components will still work on a bad battery because they are low amperage loads.

You need to have the battery tested. That simple. Once you eliminate that, you can try other solutions.

satch

iTrader: (1)

17.5 volts is not dead but it's well above the voltage level that the electrical circuits will handle and thus would become a paper weight if the reading is accurate. How about checking the battery w/no key and if it indicates the same as before then you need a new battery. I would also take a battery out of the remote to the television, for example, and check the voltage printed on it and then use the same meter you used to measure the car battery to take a reading to see if your meter is working okay.

MazdaRX7-87

really whats the battery reading supposed to be? ill try the remote just to make sure this thing works.

Hypertek

iTrader: (3)

if you can get a ride, take your battery to your local autoparts store, they usually charge them for free, and they will tell you if the battery is good or if it is toast.

Funky stuff can always be related to bad battery or terminals. Even if the terminal looks good.

Bamato

iTrader: (6)

It doesn't matter what voltage your tester reads if the battery does have the amperage to turn the starter over.

Do you live in Buckeye AZ?

959595rotor

GENTLEMAN................remove the starter test it on the ground with a battery if its OK ... and it turns , if not the brushes are possibly too short to touch the armature then its Starter rebuild time , if its working have some one-------- turn the key-- as you check for power at the small starter trigger wire (pushes on )if it shows 12.5 volts(clutch in ) and (your battery reads 12.5 volts) .its a working circuit if not you have to go to the(ignition switch) and test for power there , if not check your positive battery cable for a poor connection. if all the positive circuits are ok then all you have is a bad engine to body ground

satch

iTrader: (1)

Post #2. Post #2.