RX-7racer88

When I go to start my FD sometimes it wont start when I turn the key a few times. The dash lights and all come on fine and stay on, but when I turn the key it just makes a clicking noise and nothing hapens. I am thinking it maybe the starter b/c the lights stay on when I turn the key. If yall have any ideas on what it is or if that let me know.

Thanks JD

Gargamel

Clean off the terminals on the starter.

skunks

the starter is easily removable and rebuildable. its only held on by 2 bolts, 1 is a regular bolt which screws in to the tranny bell housing and the other is a long bolt with a nut behind it.

just make sure to disconnect battery first and to mark the starter before removal so you dont install it backwards which makes the starter spin in the opposite direction. its safe if you do so as the starter does have a one day diff inside of it but will confuse the sh*t out of you for a few days.

and again i say, please disconnect the battery before working on starter as you may run yourself over if you accidently jump the starter from below.

have fun and good luck

P.S. it might not be the starter, could be the ignition switch.

SpeedKing

iTrader: (4)

Also, check your ignition and starter relay.

RX-7racer88

Thanks so far guys I am going to change out the starter tommorow. I'll also check out the ignition switch and all that too.

Assud

Just replace the starter or clean the terminals? Im having the same problem so some more information would be nice

Gargamel

Once you remove your starter, 95% of the time you'll have starting issues. Clean the terminal and see what that does for you.

dhahlen

iTrader: (5)

I have the click problem too... it is because i have a small oil leak, and oil drips down onto the connection preventing it from getting a good contact... if you clean them off, it should work just fine...

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

so what was the result? I just got clicks. My posi terminal doesnt look THAT dirty.
How can you tell if you busted the igition fuse since you can see anything?

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

cmon now, no answers? what the use in searching? i replaced my terminals posts with new ones and grabbed a new battery just to check it out, still click click click.

radiantRX-7

iTrader: (1)

Mine went out also,replaced it with a re-built bosch starter.but still clicks once in a while.Im thinking its the ignition.

JONSKI

Do you have an automatic transmission?

mad_7tist

if the solenoid is clicking it is not the ignition. make sure the batt terminals are tight and clean. it sounds like you need a starter. and raddiant you got a shitty re-man if the batt and wiring are good.

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

still problems.

manual transmission

pop started the car to bring it home, ran fine.
changed the starter, no the car wont start, no clicking noise anymore either.

mad_7tist

check the clutch switch. are you sure the clicking was coming from the starter and not like the ac clutch engaing and dis engaging when you were trying to crank it?

Kaotic Dan

I had this same problem. It kept getting worse and worse. I replaced the battery, had the starter checked out, relubed, etc. At which point my ignition switch decides to go out completely, so I wired up a push button for the starter, and it starts pretty much every time, but I still get that damn *click, nothing* problem. Good luck.

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

checked, there is a noise from the starter (one click) when i engage the clutch.
there is no noise at all if the clutch is not engaged.
12 volts coming from the cable to the battery to the starter. 10 volts going the starter piece with the sleeve.

side note, the ABS light stayed on after the popstart as i drove home, i assumed that had to do with being jumped like that. is there anything else this light could mean?
i obviously cant tell if it stays on now because all the wrning lights do when its not on
Kdan if i do get an answer Ill post it for sure.

spoolage

iTrader: (2)

its the ignition! make a bootleg starter switch like i did. it rocks!!!

Pkay

This is Clint, Fisas (meiogirl)'s boyfriend.

I've got my associates in electronic engineering so can relate a weebit to the car applications.

Earlier the starter wouldn't turn at all but voltages were fine.

Terminals are all clean, no issues there.

I checked a few of the relays inside the the front panel. The check it says to do in the service manual came out fine for the clutch relay. Continuity was there when pressed, gone when released. Checked ignition relay, its fine.

Through the troubleshooting manual there was mention of an interlock relay. Where is this located?





As of right now the starter turns a little bit, like it would if the battery were dying. We used a new working battery and same issues is there

any ideas?

Also we noticed the Speed Sensor 2 is heavily corroded and one wire is disconnected..... could this play any part in the process by some weird chance?

Any ellaboration on how you bypassed the clutch relay or a pic would be great.

Pkay

tried jumpering the clutch connection, no dice

InsaneGideon

So the starter is struggling?

Hopefully it isn't due to a mechanical resistance.

First of all, yes, you have to press the clutch down to crank. The clutch has a "starter interlock switch" on it. But it seems the solenoid is getting it's "signal" OK.
edit: Guess you figured out the clutch switch now.

I'd check the physical power connections to the starter. Start at the starter and trace the positive feed back to the battery. See what you find.

There was a TSB I happened to randomly read about engine temp actually raising the resistance of the power connection(s) enough that it would prevent starting a hot engine. I don't know if that affects this particular car or not.

Pkay

actually after reading up a bit on another persons issues, it seems it could be the actual ignition switch.

Accessories come on

it can be push started

voltage is ok at the starter

starter is ok

battery is ok

clutch relay is ok

but still wont start



The last victim of similar scenario simply installed a push button ignition (aka hot wired his car) and it worked fine.

speed7

Just to put in my 2cp... I h8 electrical problems...

speeddemon7

i have the same problem as well.How much would an ignition switch cost for our little money pit?

TracyRX7

Another victim of the failing ignition here. I thought it might have been my wiring was screwed up due to previous alarm systems on the car.

Good news is it seems to push start really easily so just park on hills (I'm kidding)