Our 1987 GXL FC Rx7 will start but it will not continue to run. I just put a new battery in 2 days ago. I wouldn't start so I used starting fluid to see if we could get it running. The starting fluid worked, and the car started but it would stop after a couple of seconds. We were able to start the car without the starting fluid after and did that a few times but each time the car would start but then stop after a second or so. The car has full fuel tank currently, which has recently been refurbished cleaned. I checked the spark plug wires making sure they were snug. I would appreciate any ideas you folks may have. Thanks, Harold

 

welcome to the board.

1. did you have any reason to pull the fuel lines at some point? maybe you accidentally reversed them.
2. check your AFM
3. is the fuel pump circuit working as it should?

 

Sounds like a fueling issue.

When it was running, how did it sound? Sound like both rotors were firing?

Have you had the injectors cleaned? If not, try swapping your primaries and your secondaries to see if it makes a difference in how it runs. If it does, you know it's something with the injectors.

Is the fuel pump good? Any idea when it was last replaced?

If the pump was replaced, are you sure the fuel feed and return hoses were hooked back up correctly?

Are you sure you have proper fuel pressure?

Any idea of the condition of the fuel filter? Is it possible it's clogged?

 

I would change the fuel filter and in the process measure the fuel pressure at that location while you are there. Use the fuel pump jumper in the engine bay. Follow the FSM

Then I would set/check the TPS voltage

The fact that you can get it to bump start with starting fluid says it is getting spark.

If you are getting gas pressure, and have spark, and still won't start, the next thing I would look for is a large air leak via disconnected or broken vacuum line.

EGR vacuum line and Dashpot vacuum line are suspect and should be capped.

Use the field service manual to check what you can easily. . .. I tells you how to check the Mass Air Flow meter and crank angle sensor.. . .Foxed.ca

It's always good to change the water temp sensor on the back of the water pump. Best to remove the alternator to get to it, and that tricky connector.

 

Definitely a +1 for checking the AFM. I had a similar issue a while ago and it was due to the AFM not being level. This caused the flapper door to be slightly offset and suffocate my engine when it tried to hold an idle.