I am having an electrical issue (I think) intermittently affecting startup and that also causes the car to shutoff while driving, more detail below:


GOOD startup sequence:
When turning key from ACC to ON, I hear a single "click/clunk" sound and get full power to gauges etc.
Turn to start and she cranks over and fires and catches and runs great.

BAD - no start sequence:
When turning key from ACC to ON, I DONT hear a "click/clunk" sound and only get power to some things.
Turn to start and she cranks over but will not catch and run - think I am missing fuel and/or spark.

Also just happened a couple times on quick spins around the block last summer, it would randomly die on me while driving, doesn't sputter out or get rough idle, just a clean off, like I turned the key off .... I was able to restart a minute or 2 later after a "good start" with the audible "click/clunk' sound.

Basic info on the car: 93 RX7 - Streetported motor; 20k on rebuild, stock sequential turbos, tuned PFC, full 3" exhaust, stock ignition with new plugs (9's L & T), had an aftermarket alarm that was removed a few years ago.

I know this will probably turn into hours of tracing and testing with a multimeter; but I am hoping someone may have had a similar issue and can help narrow down what to go over.

Video of the "click/clunk" sound:

Thanks,
Matt.

 

Check the back of the starter first to see that all wires are making good contact and there are no loose connections. I would then suggest checking all ground contact points to make sure you have bare metal contact at each location.

 

I know its been a couple years, but figured I would update this anyways in case anyone has similar symptoms. It turned out to be the ignition switch; replaced it and all good.

 

Glad you posted the fix! I've seen a few bad ignition switches, they're not too expensive and they're easy to swap out.

Dale

 

Did you actually find the culprit (within the ignition switch)?

I assume they are cheap enough to not even bother trying to mend?

 

Yes, i disassembled the original switch and found lots of black (carbon?) on the contact pins and some wear of the copper plates/discs. I basically followed the procedure in the following video; although I omitted the dielectric grease for NOALOX which promotes continuity. Re-installed the original to test the fix and then ordered a new one for piece of mind since it wasn't that expensive.



Hopefully this information can help some others.