Hi all,

I found an RX-7 ('93 Touring) as a possible purchase. It's clean, straight, and the current owner is knowledgable of rotaries and has taken good care of the car. Now, the only issue is, the "Check Engine" light comes on intermittently, and has been doing so for quite some time. What are typical reasons for this? The owner says that he's had his mechanics look into it but they can't pinpoint any "problem". The car has a new engine, and prior to *and* with the new engine, this light comes on. The car drives fine otherwise. Is this a foreboding sign of any future problems, or perhaps nothing to worry about? I would appreciate any input. TIA.

 

Don't just take the owners word on it - Have a knowledgable ROTARY mechanic w/ 3rd gen exp. check the error codes - every time the CK eng light comes on an error code should be stored in the CPU - 50% of the time it is a bad sensor or connector but, never Ignore the light it could be a major malfunction. Also Never buy a rotary without a compression & vacuum test - the first earliest & shurest signe of internal problems is low and/or uneven compression and the second is low vacuum.

MaxPesce

 

I would be extra careful in buying this car since the owner and the mechanic can't find out why the light is blinking. Either the owner is dishonest or not knowledgeable or the mechanic is a moron. It's easy to read the error code, you can also do it without any tools. Use a paper clip to ground the TEN and GND terminals of the diagnostic port under hood and read the flashes of the light.

These cars are extremely temperamental. If there is something not working right, the effect can be detrimental. Maybe it's why this guy needed a new engine -- bc he and his mechanic can't figure out how to fix the light.

So, if you are serious about the car, take it to a rotary specialist to have it checked out (compression chk). Frankly, I may just pass the deal bc I wouldn't buy a car having a motor installed by a mechanic that doesn't know how to read engine error codes!

Of course, let us know which mechanic this is. There are a few rotary specialists in the bay area if you are close by.

 

You can check the code yourself, it's really very easy: http://www.jayspec7.com/errorcodes.html

I wouldn't think the owner would have any problem with you doing this.

 

is the computer stock?? or an APEXi power FC?

 

is the computer stock?? or an APEXi power FC?

The power FC will do that. BEE-RACING JAPAN

 

The power fc is only supposed to turn the check engine light on if the the engine is knocking.

I wouldn't buy the car from him at all. It IS very easy to find the error code and tell you what it is. It only take about 1 minute to test it.