starter problem
 

I just got my FD (yay), but had to replace the battery.

So, when most alarms lose power, you have to hit some sort of switch to enable the starter again. There's a switch and a button down by the driver's knee basically, tried starting it with it switched up and down, and with the button, and without, all sorts of combinations.. nothing.. still the starter doesn't even click.

I checked the starter, the one wire has continuity from it to ground (chassis), the other has 12v going from it to ground (chassis), and the other (small noe) I didn't get to test.

Anyhow... so here's my problem.. specs, and all that..
'93 RX-7
Auto trans (yeah I know, quiet.. I don't like it either.. and I think it may be part of the problem)
New battery
New 120A main fuse (crap that's big..)
Code Alarm alarm system

Also the stock system *might* be hooked up still, but I don't think so.

SO.. here's the problem.. the starter won't click OR turn at all. I turn it to "start", and the radio goes dark (like it's supposed to), but no click or anything.

Where to look? Where do I check? Could the starter fuse have blown? IS there a starter fuse? Even then though, the signal wire TO the starter should click the solenoid over to the ring gear to allow it to engage, correct?

Help me out here

oh.. and I just tested the codes.. not pulling ANY codes.

I've found three blown fuses so far.. one, the Main (120A) fuse.. two, the interior "room" fuse, and three the "rear wiper" fuse, which was really the HVAC and radio system (although not the clock part of the radio). anyhow...

I think that happened because the guy who was transporting it tried to jump it, but he hooked it up backwards (durrrh)... he saw a medium size (not battery cable size) red wire and went for it (when it was really a ground wire (don't know why it was red) for something miscellaneous the previous owner upt on it). So, those 3 fuses blew, I replaced them all.

Is there a separate fuse for just the starter? Or what should I check at this ponit?

Oh one more thing, it shows "P" in the gauge cluster too, so I don't think it's thinking it's in gear.. I'm pretty sure it knows it's in park.

It seems anything that was "enabled" when he hooked it up backwards, ended up blowing. Which isn't making me extremely happy right now, but nonetheless, if the only thing is fuses, I'm happy.

Anyone have anything to offer on this? The alarm system I THINK is a "Code Alarm Pro 100" or 100 Pro, or whatever.. or it MIGHT be a Pro 1000.. not sure.

Im not positive this will work, but try plopping down on teh side of the driver side, locate the starter and smack it to death with a blunt object. See if it kicks in, and make sure u try it a few times. When mine was on its way out, it would work sometimes and not others. But when it wasnt working if I smacked it, it usually did.

heh.. at first I thought you were kidding, but that same thing happened with my TurboII when I was installing it. I didn't have to smack it, but it just cranked once, then didn't crank. I checked everything, and couldn't figure it out, so I took it out and took it to Murray's (auto parts place), they tested it, it was fine, I said "wtf!?!", put the sucker back in, and worked fine no problem at all ever since.. weird huh?

I can try that, but I have a feeling the starter is fine, just not getting a signal to "go"

Since you car is an automatic... try locating the Neutral-safety-switch.... and test it. Normally, the car would have to be in Park for the switch to allow the circut to close and enable the stater circut. If your not sure where this is located check you manual.... Of course, another possibility is to go to a transmission shop like Lee Miles or AAMCO and see if they can give you some help.

Another possibility is to get a mechanics starter switch... used to bridge the starter circut from under the hood... This bypasses the neutral safety switch and allows you to engage the starter for diagnostic purposes.

Good luck,
Rich

If the previous owner (or as we like to call 'em, DPO's) installed an alarm system, lord knows what's bodged up. Alarms do interrupt the signal going from the ignition switch to the starter. Also, with a bad jump start, the alarm brain might have fried or the like. Probably easiest to see if you can take the alarm out of the loop for testing.

The bang on the starter trick does work :) - been there, done that.

Dale

haha yeah it does. The solenoid starts to act up on you, so it needs lil smacking around to get er goin again1!

I bypassed the starter portion of the alarm, jumpered the two wires together, and cranked it, and it worked fine. Stupid freaking alarm systems..

my car does just exactly as you describe, but only when it's hot. I can go out to the car in the morning. BAM cranks right up. Drive it to the gas station and turn it off to fill up, then try to recrank, nothing, doesn't turn over or anything. Eventually it will turn over and crank right away. I've tried jiggling the shifter, turning off all accesories. Banking on the ecu kick panel (once I swore this helped). It's getting worse. Any ideas?

I think there's a service bulletin out for this. When it warms up, it increases the resistance of the starter wire, and it doesn't click over.