Starting Problem
 

Hey, I've had a problem with an FD R1 I bought recently. While I was testing it, it started up and shut down no matter what and had no problems. I drove it back home and let it sit over the winter, sometimes starting it in the garage and drove it around the street when there was no snow/salt.

Now when I try to start it, nothing happens. All of the electronics (CD player, etc) shut down and the handbrake light comes on. No crank, won't start. I leave it overnight. It starts no problem. I leave it on and turn it off, wait a couple seconds, and try to turn it on again. Same problem. I jacked it up and had a friend try to turn it on, it didn't turn over. Wiggled the ground wire and it started right up no problem.
Conclusion: It must be the ground.

I called Mazda and they said that this is the first reported problem that they've had of this kind and that I'd need a whole new engine harness. Following the major vote not to take an FD to a Mazda dealership, I decided to look for an alternative. A garage quoted $100 for a new ground, instead of Mazda's $2800.

Question: Did anyone have this problem before? If yes, how did you fix it? Also, will I need a whole new engine harness to fix this or is it just the ground wire?

Thank you,

Scorch

It's either some funky electrical issue/loose or dirty ground, or the battery is heading south.

The starting circuit is relatively simple, a good mechanic should be able to diagnose and sort it out. There's nothing in that circuit that's weird because it's an RX-7.

Big thing is if the problem is repeatable, rare intermittent problems can be a bitch.

Where is the ground wire that was wiggled?

Dale

I Raised the FD on jack stands and got under it, wiggled the wire that would be right in between the Driver's seat and the passenger seat. There was a small cylindrical part (starter?) that connected to the negative battery terminal. I wiggled the part that was right at the connection to the starter and it started up. Also, found out a new thing.
If I park it with the front facing downhill, it'll start normally. If I park uphill, it won't start.