Ok I have tried so many things to fix this damn problem and search numerous times about this issue and no one had one solid answer so I found that I need to figure this out myself!!!

This is the answer!!~~~
ITS THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCATED WHERE YOU PUT THE KEY AND TURN IT.

You can locate it when you take out the bottom steering hub cover. Now this is what you do...
Either get a new one or take it apart and use a dremel with a wire brush and brush out the copper plates in there. When I opened mine it was a bit corroded where the connection was making and after I used a dremel and brushed it all clean.... walla!~~~ I never had the click click problem again!!!

If ya guys who had this problem need some help just PM me or reply here~~ I would love to help since this click click crap bothered the crap out of me. hehehe.

Thanks
Laser man~~~

 

can u describe the problem a little bit

 

Well... the problem is that many FD users have a problem with starting the car once in a while and it starts to get worse and worse. Basically when you turn the key to start... you can hear a "click" noise and you keep on turning the key until it starts cranking.
However this problem starts to get worse and worse by time...

I had 2 FD's and both of them had the same problem... it seems its more likely to happen to the older FD's 93... since both of mine were 93.

I bet a lot of ya guys are having this problem.

Another way to get this fixed is to get a remote starter alarm system... since this will bypass the ignition switch and it will start from the alarm computer itself.

Cheers~~

 

I'm going to have to end up doing some sort of fix on this soon, as i'm only hitting the starter on every third turn of the key. I thought there was a solution before that didn't involve the key stock, but showed that the problem was resistance in one of the wires somewhere under the car? I haven't read about or searched on this problem in a long time though.

 

I have this problem with my FD.

 

I'm experiencing similar issue with my FC, but it happens more on subzero days. Not sure if it's the battery. If I jump the car, it most likely fires up.

But during hot days, it cranks up easier, although I do experience the clicking sometimes.

The battery charge is fine.

If the batt is weak, then maybe it shouldnt start at all, but if I click it really fast "click click click click click" on the igntion, it will fire up compare to starting it so slow like ... c.l....i..c..k..

Maybe I'll look into that ignition switch.

-Starter is rebuilt

-Battery cables are new including the one to starter


I also notice that when this happens, I hand rotate the main pulley a few times and it would start easier---or I'm just dreaming.. ...

Anyone have similar issue as me?


I looked through the hole where the starter goes through and you see the flywheel, ..

I was just guessing that somehow the teeth aren't lining up with the starter, so when it hammers out, it doesn't align and rotate the flywheel.

Does this have anything to do with me rotating the main pulley and causes it to start easier (as in lining up the flywheel more accurate with the starter?)

 

Also try a spray contact cleaner. Humidity can cause oxidation and cigarette smoke also can build up on connections.

 

Yes another helpful fix.

Thanks for the report. Many FD owners will be glad to fix this problem. I know I will, when I have time or just get sick of turning the key a few times.

David

 

Would a start button eliminate this issue?
I have this on my FD and I alternately use both. But as mentioned, I don' have issues with my FD, only my FC.

 

Is that it? I have an issue where if I jump in the car right away and try to crank it...it just...*clicks*. If I wait a moment before I crank it, it seems to be fine.

I always thought it had something to do with the turbo timer relay engaging or something.

 

akiratdk and/or others...

I think I am experiencing the problem you described here. Ocassionally, when I put the key in, turn it to the ON (prior to crank) position, depress the clutch, then turn the key, I get a weird click, then everything (acc/dash lights) shuts off... once in a while, the acc/dash lights come back on almost immediately, then I crank again, and again nothing... just that click then everything shuts off. So when I open the door, take the key out, put it back in, it sometimes does the exact same thing, or it starts.

I thought it was the starter, so I got a new reman from Ray Crowe, installed that, but it's still doing it, so I know it's gotta be something else...

Akira, is this the same thing you experienced prior to cleaning your ignition switch? Particularly the acc/dashboard lights/beeps shutting after you hear the click? Hopefully, cleaning it like you said will work.

thanks in advance to everyone for the help.

 

i had this problem bad when the car was auto. I also thought this problem plagued auto owners more than 5spd owners. Since my swap i have never had the problem since....and that was with no modification to the ignition switch. I remember some olds threads awhile back talking about the auto harness or the one of the relays as a cause/solution.

Again, I had the problem when i was automatic and ended up swapping a good starter and new ignition switch....both of which didnt do sqaut.

 

A couple of pics would be great bro.

 

Does anyone know what the resistance of a properly working ignition switch is? I was thinking this problem was my starter solenoid as that is a likely cause of this also, but I'll give this a try first as I haven't been able to find a starter solenoid under $150.

 

I also have this problem. Once my car is finished I'll be looking to fix it. Pics would be great!

 

I checked the FSM and couldn't find anything usefull. Anyone?

 

I had this problem.. the only fix was to add a relay to the starter wiring harness giving it 12 volts of power at all times. this was done at tripoint and problem has been solved for two years now. and yes prior to this I replaced the starter, and ignition switch and got the same problem "expensive lesson"..

Jeff

 

Where exactly did they put the relay in? Is all the wiring done by the starter?

There's not enough voltage getting to either the starter solenoid or the starter, so there is excessive resistance somewhere before those in the circuit.

 

Similar issue here.
I also have a greddy turbo timer, .. that I don't use.
(FC)

 

Ok guys~~ I will tell you exactly what to look into.
Its not the starter... I heard from mazda that the starter doesn't really go bad on our FD's too much. Since we hear a click click sound we all assume its the starter... and I was exactly like that as well.

EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE OUT THERE IGNITION SWITCH OPEN IT AND USE A WIRE BRUSH ON A DREMEL TO CLEAN OFF THE COPPER PLATES INSIDE.

You guys will notice when you see the copper plates there are some corrosion where the connections are made. If you guys don't know where the ignition switch is~~~

1. Unscrew the plastic that covers where the windsheild wiper controls and where the steering wheel hub is.... you know... where you put your key~~ that place.

2. on the direct opposite side where you insert the key you will find a white plastic cylinder like part where its connected to the wires.... now... all you need to do is unscrew one philips bolt and disconnect the wire connections and WALLA~~~ its out.

3. Take apart the ignition switch carefully and when you open it up you will find some copper plates.... when you use the wire brush especially from a dremel you will notice the copper plates start to become more shiney... polished.

4. Assemble back the parts... reinstall the ignition switch.... and be worry free!!!!

I had two FD's with the same problem and I can finally announce a real fix to this!!!!!
SWEETNESS~~~~

 

I had a greddy turbo timer as well along with the harness connector.... and if you guys are using the connector make sure you use conductive grease inside the connectors so it will give a more proper connection... best way is to solder the wires... but its a pain in the ***. I just used conductive grease for light bulbs (you can find it in autozone or places like that).

 

Try searching on this forum as there's a direct replacement by Bosch sold at the NAPA autoparts store. The part number is in the thread.

 

That's funny! I have my steering column covers off and put a temp push button switch in. I was going to permanently mount it. I'll try this instead and see if it does the trick. Unfortunately, I'm doing some engine stuff at the moment (see my "Where's the oil coming from" thread). But that shouldn't take too long. I'll take some pix when I get to it.

-KPM

 

This is a common problem seen on Miatas. Don't know if the internals of an RX-7 ignition switch are the same as a Miata's, but here is an article on teardown of the Miata's switch.

 

sweetness~~~