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Trouble Cranking

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Old 01-23-06, 11:12 AM
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Trouble Cranking

Hey guys this is my first post but i've been doing research on here for a little while. I've done my searching and tried a few things but my car still has trouble cranking. So far I have changed the starter, disassembled the steering column and cleaned the ignition switch w/ contact cleaner, and checked the clutch swith(seemed to be fine). When I turn the key all the normal dummy lights come on and I hear a 'click'. After turning the key to crank, and nothing happens, I can hear a faint 'click,click,click,click'. After it does finally crank it starts up fine.

Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated

93 rx7 touring model
5spd
intk,exst,dwnpipe,
bov,pettit twins
Old 01-23-06, 11:25 AM
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starter relais?
Old 01-23-06, 11:33 AM
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where is that clicking coming from? from under the hood or from somewhere at your feet?
Old 01-23-06, 11:35 AM
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all the clicking comes from under the hood
Old 01-23-06, 11:50 AM
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how's your battery? you put in a brand new starter?
Old 01-23-06, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by htharv
how's your battery? you put in a brand new starter?
Sounds like a low battery issue. I believe the car needs at least 12 volts to start. Anything lower or even close to it will make that clicking sound or a slow whirring sound of the engine trying to turn over.

Get your battery checked out. Make sure it's deep charged at least once.
Old 01-23-06, 03:42 PM
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battery ..or the connections ..I switch batteries back and forth ..sometimes I just put it in and not tighten the connections..if the connections are not clean and tight,you will get the "clicking"..and sometimes Nothing at all..you try to start it and it shuts everything down,scares you, like you blew a fuse..And a fully charged,good battery is essential..hope that helps a bit..
Old 01-23-06, 06:52 PM
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Thanks for the replys. I just bought a brand new battery around 4 months ago. I'll try to tighten the connections, but they are already pretty tight. I can hardly pull the pos. cable off the terminal.
Old 01-23-06, 06:53 PM
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By the way. The starter is brand new from duralast.
Old 01-23-06, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by southernRX
Thanks for the replys. I just bought a brand new battery around 4 months ago. I'll try to tighten the connections, but they are already pretty tight. I can hardly pull the pos. cable off the terminal.
Did you clean the battery terminals and the inside of the cable ends? Even mild corrosion here will give problems like yours.
Old 01-23-06, 07:10 PM
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There is no corrosion because the battery is in the hatch.
Old 01-23-06, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by southernRX
There is no corrosion because the battery is in the hatch.
I meant corrosion from battery acid, not from rain or road salt - that'll happen even if you kept it in a totally dry atmosphere.
Old 01-23-06, 07:37 PM
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The battery is in good clean condition. I think the battery is ok because it gives current to the dummy lights and to the alarm. Plus after a few tries it starts up fine which wouldn't happen if the battery was dead.
Old 01-23-06, 08:21 PM
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Thanks for the continued help. Here's a little incentive to keep thinking of more possible problems. (look at attachment)
Attached Thumbnails Trouble Cranking-gratitude.jpg  
Old 01-23-06, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by southernRX
Thanks for the continued help. Here's a little incentive to keep thinking of more possible problems. (look at attachment)

This is a RX7 forum, you should only be posting pictures that have a RX7 in them
Old 01-23-06, 08:57 PM
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Uh, ok CHADWICK
Old 01-24-06, 08:12 PM
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I know you said that you changed the starter but what about the starter solinoid?
Old 01-25-06, 02:32 AM
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You still haven't verified how many volts your battery is outputting. Check that first. It's an easy fix if it's the battery. If you haven't used your battery for over 4 months, there's a good chance it's lost a lot of its charge.

I know I had to add distilled water to my battery after my R&R which took 2 months (traveling a lot for business). After adding the water through the cells, I had to charge it again and it made that clicking go away and the slow start with the starter.
Old 01-25-06, 05:43 PM
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Yeah, I'm thinking I might need to change the solinoid. Its be starting fine the past couple of days(knock on wood).Its my daily driver for now.
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