akiratdk

I turn the key and I hear "click..." and then I turn it again and then "click..." pretty much the third time I get it cranking. I never had a problem starting the car though... its just the click that is really annoying!!!! and sometimes embarasing... Anyways... I don't think its the starter because I have never had a cranking problem.... so what can it be???? I want a healthy car!!!!!~~~~
How many of you guys had this problem and how many of you guys fixed it??? thanks!!~~

Whizbang

might be the starter soleniod

dubulup

clutch switch could be bad.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Is your car a 5-speed or auto? Many auto owners have had starter woes - there was recently a thread on that. Mazda has a TSB on this as well for the auto cars.

Dale

BenzaLee

I have exactly the same problem on my 5sp. I dont believe its the starter as I pulled that and cleaned it and it works fine.

Gorilla RE

iTrader: (1)

its prob your battery...

finnicky7

I have the same issue, I think it's in the key assembly.

DaveW

I'd guess bad (dirty contacts?) starter solenoid or bad battery cable contact. The "clicks" are the clue. If it were the starter switch, you should not hear the click. If it were the battery, it would not start on the 3rd try. If it were the clutch switch, you would not hear the click.

Jayseven

iTrader: (1)

my does the same thing. It always starts but i do get the clicking sometimes.

neuro

EVERY BODY LISTEN TO DaveW. He is the only one thats knows what going on.

apneablue

About 1 in every 10 times mine will do this...I think mine is pointing to the clutch switch Dublup is talking about. Usually when it happens on the first try I will release the clutch and depress it firmly and then it kicks right in. Where is the clutch switch anyway?

dubulup

under the clutch pedal, silly...

there is actually two. but I think the failing one is under.

this is what is happening to me and another RX-7 here in ATL...except, I push the Engine Start button instead of turning the key, hehehe!!!


I believe there is a relatively easy way to bypass the switch I haven't looked into it yet...busy getting my car ready for Sunday's SCCA ATL region's first points event.

dubulup

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

bah i had this problem last year in the fall. here is my check list for you:

battery
starter
clutch switch
shorted ground
ignition switch

i actually bought new parts of each (except clutch switch). i had a ignition switch in the works when I found out my prob was the grounding.
Other indicators for bad grounding would be irradic temprature reads and your ABS light coming on.

apneablue

Dude! don't call me silly. It brings back bad memories of a gay stalker I had.

Little off topic, but how do you like that S2000 start switch? does the key have to stay in the ignition when you start? I thought about doing this since I have a superduper kill switch now.

apneablue

Great info! thanks.

BenzaLee

I know its not the starter as I checked the contacts. I will try the other stuff though, Thanks guys
Ben

fd0

iTrader: (8)

I had the exact same problem this week. It was the battery for me....under 12 volts trying to start the car is not enough juice for the starter.

rzograbian

i have done some research and tests on my car and i know for a fact its inside the steering assy... why do i say this? because i get the clicking too but my car has a remote starter where i can start the car from a alarm remote and everytime that i try to start it, it works perfectly. i have never had it click. but i almost alway's get clicking when i try it with the key. the remote starter on my car gives direct power to the ingiter and bypasses the steering assy. thats why i think that whatever the problem is, its from the inside of the steering

mad_7tist

the solenoid can get spots on it where it will not engage and will click each click moves it a bit and sometimes it will start. if the s terminal is not seeing 12v on the starter when in crank you may have a drop across the ignition switch

BenzaLee

oK, So I went to start the car and I was getting the usual clicking. I checked the voltage on the PFC and got 11.8 each time I turned the key. What does this mean?

spoolage

iTrader: (2)

Its the ignition switch going out. I hot wired my car temporarily when it finally died on me and made a ghetto start switch, which costed me about 5 dollars. After a while I went by a junkyard and bought an ignition assembley for 35 bucks.

Getting it off the steering column was a fun learning experience.


Rarely do the actual starters on these cars go out. It happens but more often its the ignition switch. Its a fairly easy fix that can be done in about 3 hours if you've never done it before. You might get some weird looks or questions when your asking to buy it.

charliegt

Check your battery terminals.

-Charlie

travisorus rex

I vote for the clutch switch. Mine does the same thing.

teamafx

iTrader: (4)

mine as well, I guess ill try to figure it out this week before its gone