Guys,

My FD is at a body & paint shop. I thought this was going to be a good experience, but so far, all I want to do is strangle these guys.

Other than the fact that, they've not fixed the bumper to fender properly, my hood latch doesn't seem to work now, the brake lights don't work (and fuses blown - guess they've pinched a wire), they put a screw into my tire (then had to be plugged) ... besides all that crap, now the starter won't work.

Let me try to give you all the background, I want to see if you guys can give me some idea what may be going on. I'm hoping it's just a battery issue, but guessing it may be wiring related, since they've blown some fuses (d/a's).

So, the best conclusion(s) I can come to is that: a) The battery, being a cheap piece of crap, may have a dead cell and cannot take enough charge to turn the starter (not as likely in my mind as) b) they've managed to pinch a wire somewhere and the signal to the starter solenoid is grounded (proof from the fuses they say they've found blown). There were no fuses blown when I dropped it off.

Without making me feel worse about choosing these d/a's for this work (because I have a strategy about how I'm going to deal with their ineptness), do you guys have any helpful suggestions about what might be going on? Thanks.

I'd really appreciate just some troubleshooting advice, knowledge on the subject. I will deal with these guys, but not while they have easy access to the FD.

 

you need to know if the starter solenoid is actually getting power to it. If you can jack up the car or whatever and run a direct 12v to the starter solenoid. you will see a black wire that plugs into it, that can be disconnected, then either wrap a wire around it or put a female connector on it to plug it onto the starter solenoid, touch the other end of the wire to the 12+ on the battery and see if the starter engages.

If it does, and im assuming it probably will, then the problem is most likely the security relay in the driver side kick panel, which can be easily bypassed, or the clutch switch. there are 2 clutch switches, one to tell the ecu when its engaged for load differences, the other to close the starter circuit.

it could also be the ignition switch but this is doubtful.

 

Dude,

This is why I love the RX-7 club. The car is still at the paint and body shop. When I was there, I couldn't remember if the car had the clutch start switch in there or not. And I'm not going to work on it (much) while it's sitting at their shop.

Thanks for the help! When I get the car back, if it's not starting, I'll follow your advice. But just off hand, it acts *EXACTLY* like my Corolla acts if I don't push the clutch to start. Which makes me think the clutch start switch circuit has been interrupted. Keep in mind, I was pushing the clutch on the FD, almost through the floor, making sure I had enough pressure to activate the switch.

Your advice makes it even more apparant that their bumbling and blowing fuses has probably caused this problem. Well, no doubt their bumbling caused it, but now this helps me track down the problem and fix it.

Also, I told the guy to not worry about the starter, and don't bump start it ... just push it around. It's flat in Montgomery, and flat at their shop, so no problem. I just want them to finish and put the car back in caring hands.

Thanks again.

- JyRO

 

I vote clutch switch as well . Actually, the rubber pad that engages the clutch switch on the clutch pedal frequently breaks/dies/falls off, and the clutch switch "pin" goes through the hole that pad previously occupied. When that happens, no start.

Easy and cheap fix is to go to a hardware store and get small stick-on rubber feet for furniture - they're small rubber pads you stick onto stool legs so they slide on the floor or whatever. They're REAL inexpensive. Stick that dude on the clutch pedal, done.

Dale

 

I'm going over there today to give the guy a big long list of things he has to fix (I've already pointed it out to him, but putting it in writing) and giving him until Friday to get it all done. He's had plenty of time.

I get all antsy, I feel like my blood pressure increases when I think about where that car is. It needs to be at home.

 

I just had the same problem a few weeks ago. Dudemaaan and myself posted some pictures. If you're having the shop take care of it, sometimes pictures are good.....
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/help-car-wont-start-772638/page2/

If it's not the clutch switch, that thread tells all the other possible things that need to be checked.

 

You guys were right on the money. The guy bumbled across this switch and found the pin going through the hole and fixed it somehow. It fires right up now. Anywho, thanks for the help.

When I get the car back, I'll be going through a lot of the reliability mods and getting it out on the street. Can't wait!