diagnosis of my problem led me to pulling my starter motor, just a quck question about it the rx7 starter. does the starter have a solinoid to engage the starter gear to the fly wheel?, id asume so, and does it automatically pop out when you apply power or does it have a seperate way to test it ? took it to auto zone and it just spins dosent pop out at all.

 

Theres a shaft with a small gear that pops out and spins the flywheel (when you turn your key to on).

Thats what starts the car.

If the shaft isnt "popping out", the starter is no good.

 

hit it with a hammer a few times and then try

 

The hammer trick has worked for me in the past as well, but it gets annoying and the problem gets progressively worse. You should take your starter to a shop where they rebuild starters and alternators, they would be able to give you a definitive answer, which is most likely going to be "you need a rebuild".

 

Hey. just read your problem, let me know what you decide, but I ordered a brand new starter a few months ago, and never installed it, as it ended up being a voltage problem to the signal wire, so I just put it in the closet, and I've been trying to get rid of it. PM me if your interested.