3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

HELP!!! I just bought an FD and have a problem.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:03 AM
  #1  
~Fast & Red~'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Mazda Dealer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky, U.S.A.
HELP!!! I just bought an FD and have a problem.

I bought a vintage-red RX-7 touring from VA, and drove it all the way back to KY. The car runs and drives well, but when the RPM's go below 1000 it stalls. Anyone have any idea what the problem could be? The battery-charge light was on the last half of the trip, and the car won't start right now, so I'm hoping it's just the battery or alternator. Any help would be appreciated.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:10 AM
  #2  
Boston94FD's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boston, Massachusetts
If I were you I would first charge the battery. If the problem isn't fixed then move onto the altrenator.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:13 AM
  #3  
JConn2299's Avatar
reliable performance
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
Originally Posted by Boston94FD
If I were you I would first charge the battery. If the problem isn't fixed then move onto the altrenator.

Yes, that's a good place to start. Don't forget to check for a loose or slipping belt that may not be turning the alternator fast enough. Start with the easy and basic stuff first.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:24 AM
  #4  
chinaman's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
From: Macungie, Pennsylvania
I doubt very much that it's the battery. Car should'nt shut off because of battery once the car is running. Run the car then pull the battery cable. If the car shuts off, altenator is bad. Car should still run if altenator is good.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:29 AM
  #5  
cozmo kraemer's Avatar
Darkside FD
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Or go to autozone and have your alternator and battery tested. They do it for free.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 12:16 PM
  #6  
sullycrx's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Cal. (Travis AFB)... Hometown Tallahassee, Fl GO NOLES!!!!!
this is a common problem that a lot of people have. Here is what it might be, my car would do the same thing. I had to change the thing that tells the cruise control where the clutch was. I cant remember the name of the thing but im sure someone here knows what im talking about. Its in your left foot well area and has a white plunger that sticks out and rest on the clutch arm. usually the little white thing inside breaks off and then you start having problems.

to me it doesnt sound like an alternator or bat, but it wouldnt hurt to have those checked too. its free like someone else said so what the hell.


later and good luck sully
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 12:25 PM
  #7  
sullycrx's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Cal. (Travis AFB)... Hometown Tallahassee, Fl GO NOLES!!!!!
think this is the poart i was talking about its called a clutch switch nuber 2 on the diagram.
Attached Files
File Type: doc
internet.doc (71.5 KB, 122 views)
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 12:55 PM
  #8  
scotty305's Avatar
~17 MPG
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,478
Likes: 334
From: Bend, OR
Have you checked the Troubleshooting section of the Factory Service Manual?


-s-
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 12:59 PM
  #9  
LUPE's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,506
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, IL
Do you know anything about cars or did you just decide to buy a RX7 because it looked cool?

Hmm, the battery light has been on for a long time and now it won't start. Hmm......... I wonder what could be wrong

This is ridiculous.

Last edited by LUPE; Apr 14, 2006 at 01:10 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 01:22 PM
  #10  
~Fast & Red~'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Mazda Dealer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky, U.S.A.
Thanks for the help, everyone. (except LUPE )

I will try to get it to autozone somehow after I get done detailing it. If not, I have a garageful of Mazda-certified tech's that can diagnose the problem. (one of them has owned 13 RX-7's of various vintages, and is an expert with rotaries). I will also consult the service-manual. Thanks alot for the help, guys. RX-7 Club rules!

P.S.
Lupe, I may not know everything about an FD, but I've been researching and saving towards an RX-7 for a damn long time! I definately didn't just buy the car because it looks cool (though it is one sexy-*** machine).
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 01:23 PM
  #11  
~Fast & Red~'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Mazda Dealer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky, U.S.A.
I'll post pics of her after I get done giving her a bath.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 01:40 PM
  #12  
widebody2's Avatar
addicted to lounge
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 2
From: ny,LI
sounds like a blown engine to me....I think you are f___ed!
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2006 | 11:19 PM
  #13  
sullycrx's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Cal. (Travis AFB)... Hometown Tallahassee, Fl GO NOLES!!!!!
Not sure why people on this forum feel the need to act like dicks when someone has a problem with their car? The guy just buys an rx7 and needs some help and the first impression he gets from this forum is that it’s full of a bunch of smartasses! If you don’t have anything helpful then shut the hell up. I’m pretty sure that no one here knew the ins and outs of the rx7 before they went out and bought one.


Just some tips for Fast&red on this forum the use of the search button on the top will save you a lot of time. If you have the problem now chances are that someone else like these two guys who think they know it all had the problem and asked about it. Also there are a few webs sites that can be helpful to new rx7 owners. There is also another forum where the people aren’t such snobs. Nopistons.com usually has better tech stuff. Rx7forum is more for the casual reader.

Don’t go out and buy a bunch of stuff for your car without researching it first.

Well welcome to the rotary family and hopefully you get your car fixed soon.


Go to this web site it has links on it that you should go to and check out. There is a lot of good info on these sites.

http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq...e3g.html#Links

Later sully

Last edited by sullycrx; Apr 14, 2006 at 11:22 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 01:11 AM
  #14  
RotaryResurrection's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 27
From: Morristown, TN (east of Knoxville)
Sounds like you made the right decision on your purchase. You even paid more...

No offense, but what happened to you being a master mazda tech and being able to do all the repairs yourself? :
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 07:14 AM
  #15  
~Fast & Red~'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Mazda Dealer
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky, U.S.A.
I'm not a Mazda-Tech, never said I was.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 07:30 AM
  #16  
CantGoStraight's Avatar
What's your point ?
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Fla.
If your going to offer help you might want to try and be helpful. In case you missed it in his original post he said the charge light was on for the later part of the trip, this thing doesn't come on because of your clutch switch, it comes on because your alternator isn't charging the electrical system, these cars won't run forever on the battery and if driving at night won't last long at all. The clutch switch may affect his idle but is probably more related to the electrical issue than the clutch switch, everything about these cars requires the electrical system to work properly, good battery, alternator and proper grounds are essential to them running right. Lupe was being point blank in that if the charge light is on and the guy has no clue where to start then his post is by all means rediculous. Some guys don't like there time waisted and most will pass by such a post, sometimes it becomes too much to bare and while some post aren't helpful they do get your attention and will in most cases make the person "THINK" before they post something like that. Well come to the forum, use your stable full of Mazda certified tech's (dealer certified right) and by all means use the search function.

Originally Posted by sullycrx
Not sure why people on this forum feel the need to act like dicks when someone has a problem with their car? The guy just buys an rx7 and needs some help and the first impression he gets from this forum is that it’s full of a bunch of smartasses! If you don’t have anything helpful then shut the hell up. I’m pretty sure that no one here knew the ins and outs of the rx7 before they went out and bought one.


Just some tips for Fast&red on this forum the use of the search button on the top will save you a lot of time. If you have the problem now chances are that someone else like these two guys who think they know it all had the problem and asked about it. Also there are a few webs sites that can be helpful to new rx7 owners. There is also another forum where the people aren’t such snobs. Nopistons.com usually has better tech stuff. Rx7forum is more for the casual reader.

Don’t go out and buy a bunch of stuff for your car without researching it first.

Well welcome to the rotary family and hopefully you get your car fixed soon.


Go to this web site it has links on it that you should go to and check out. There is a lot of good info on these sites.

http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq...e3g.html#Links

Later sully
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 07:43 AM
  #17  
CantGoStraight's Avatar
What's your point ?
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Fla.
Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection
Sounds like you made the right decision on your purchase. You even paid more...

No offense, but what happened to you being a master mazda tech and being able to do all the repairs yourself? :


LOL said he has a grargfull of certified mazda tech's. I believe him to be either a Dealer or a seller. Not a mechanic.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 11:16 AM
  #18  
scotty305's Avatar
~17 MPG
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,478
Likes: 334
From: Bend, OR
Poorly-trained "certified Mazda techs" are part of the reason these cars earned such a bad reputation in the mid-90's. If they recommend that you replace your engine and =/or turbochargers, don't trust them!!!


Seriously though, if you haven't already downloaded and spent at least 2 hours looking through the factory service manual, drop everything and do it NOW. The link is at the top of this forum, but I'll post another here https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/94-fsms-available-download-449950/ The Troubleshooting section is a million times more helpful than trying to ask a question on these forums, and then waiting for a reponse.


Now please quit wasting our time, and fix your car with the tools you already have.
-s-
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2006 | 12:30 PM
  #19  
sullycrx's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville, Cal. (Travis AFB)... Hometown Tallahassee, Fl GO NOLES!!!!!
Originally Posted by CantGoStraight
If your going to offer help you might want to try and be helpful. In case you missed it in his original post he said the charge light was on for the later part of the trip, this thing doesn't come on because of your clutch switch, it comes on because your alternator isn't charging the electrical system, these cars won't run forever on the battery and if driving at night won't last long at all. The clutch switch may affect his idle but is probably more related to the electrical issue than the clutch switch, everything about these cars requires the electrical system to work properly, good battery, alternator and proper grounds are essential to them running right. Lupe was being point blank in that if the charge light is on and the guy has no clue where to start then his post is by all means rediculous. Some guys don't like there time waisted and most will pass by such a post, sometimes it becomes too much to bare and while some post aren't helpful they do get your attention and will in most cases make the person "THINK" before they post something like that. Well come to the forum, use your stable full of Mazda certified tech's (dealer certified right) and by all means use the search function.



here is my point. it seems to me that more times than not a guy asks for help and he get slammed with the old use the search button thing by 50 other dudes and 25 smartass comments. people dont have the time to give him some advice but they sure as heck have the time of day to talk crap to him. I always thought that rotary people looked out for each other since we have a small community, guess i was wrong.

yeah my bad i didnt see the statment about his charge system light coming on. at least i was trying to help the guy a little. I never said THIS WILL FIX you car and dont check into anything else im pretty sure i said have autozone check the bat, and alt as well. so thanks for taking time outta your busy day to defend your boys. but maybe you should read all of my orginal post.

later sully
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
Sep 16, 2018 07:16 PM
foxbod88
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
8
Sep 23, 2015 09:07 AM
vmerino
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
0
Sep 5, 2015 11:26 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:48 AM.