Just curious from all the vets on here what the most common starter related issues are on the FD. The starter seemed to be intermittent. Bang on it and she would usually start working again. I replaced the starter and nothing. Put the old back in and nothing. Turn the key and not even a voltage drop. Sounds like a relay in between the ignition key assembly and the starter to me. The starter has a constant 12v hooked up, but once turning the key she doesn't feed the 12v onto the "plugged" wire. (The male/female connected wire.) So the other wire on the starter doesnt get 12v either obviously. I think banging on the old one was possibly coincidental or is there something I am missing down in that region?
Battery is fine or seems fine. Interstate drycell behind the seat that I will eventually switch out with a Optima probably.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Terry

 

Clutch switch is where I'd start.

There's a button under the clutch pedal that disables the ignition if it doesn't sense the clutch pedal being on the floor when you turn the key. It's a cheap plastic button that is infamous for breaking. It's easy to find, easy to see if it's broken and easy & cheap to replace.

If you have an automatic, the clutch switch is definitely not your problem. Good luck finding the gremlin!

 

Thanks for the response. Fortunately and unfortunately the clutch switch was bypassed when I had the automatic to manual swap.

 

Could it be the stock security starter kill? Its the blue harness in the driver side kick panel. You can bypass it by jumping 2 pins on the harness.

xox
xxo

when looking at the box side of the harness jump the 2 o pins together with a wire.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/banzai-racin...fc-fd-1129540/

 

I believe this has been bypassed already. I can double check if course, but I believe the whole system is bypassed.

 

Has this old starter ever been disassembled, cleaned, and re-lubricated?
Do it for both the starter and its solenoid. They get very dirty with carbon dust after all of these years.
Be careful of the steel ball or is it *****.

 

Thx all for the help. All the trouble shooting and it led back to the starter. Swapped starters and she is working just fine again. Having the original rebuilt so I guess I will have a spare now.
I should be pleased that's all it is

 

I suggest you buy a 2.0KW RX8 starter and switch out the internals. It is an easy 30 minute job and the car will crank about 50 rpms faster helping with both cold and hot starts.

 

She is already rebuilt and working great. I actually tried to install an rx8 starter. (Was sold an "upgraded" starter which turned out to be a straight up RX8 starter. I was debating on keeping it for internals as I need to ship it across country for return, but out of principle it needs to be done. Done meaning return it.

 

 

I really dont think it was a scam per say, but the guy seems somewhat hesitant to take it back.

I will attach some pics, but will not put the guys name up. Maybe this is suppose to fit, but Injust got a faulty unit lol.




Lower being the rebuilt oem

 

 

 

 

 

So, safe to say it definitely is an RX8 starter I was sold?

 

 

Thx for confirming. I will proceed with going after full refund.