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Hey everybody! I'm excited to be back on the forum but more excited about my recent accidental find. I used to own a 1987 GXL but sold it back in 2008 for the simple fact that I was a 19 year college kid living at home with a part time job and couldn't afford to keep maintaining it. Not to mention we lived in this apartment in downtown therefore no garage. Anyways, lets fast forward a bit to three weeks ago shall we? I walk into the breakroom at my job with my lunch when this kid asks me, "Hey! Wanna buy an RX7?" and I laughed and replied, 50 grand?! And his response was "no its a second gen..." I sit down but I was a bit intrigued so I said, "What, 10 grand?" He laughed and said way less than that. Long story short, after a few exchanged messages between the seller and myself, I drove 47 minutes to another town to see this car in person that exact day! I arrive and it's sitting there in this persons garage and I said to myself, yeah its very real! Told the seller I would be back in the morning with a check from the bank and if I could send a portion via CashApp or Venmo to show I was serious that I would. The seller said that he didn't want to sell it to just anybody, so it wasn't necessary and to be there in the morning and his wife would give me the title. 8:30 in the morning I was at the door to my bank getting that Cashiers Check and by 9:45 I was able to say that I own a Mazda RX7 again.
It doesn't run as the car sat for SEVEN YEARS! in his garage because it became a second car that basically was forgotten about. I will now be bringing it back to life! Overall the car is in pretty good shape with a few dings here and there, one rust spot near the sunroof, and a chunk of the paint missing on the drivers side quarter about 3-4 inches wide. The body has around 152,000 miles on it and the rebuild supposedly about 60,000 miles. I haven't tried to start it for the simple fact that it sat for so long. Yesterday (Sunday) was the first time I had time to thoroughly inspect and realize what I was about to get myself into LOL. I ordered new plugs and new wires. Had to figure out a way to take the old gas that had been sitting inside, out of it. The clutch as for some reason was all the way to the floor. Well for one the master cylinder was empty so we added some fluid and the clutch felt like how it should and kicked back to its normal position after getting all of the air out of the line. Dropped the tank and it was pretty disgusting and thought it was over for the tank. I shared some photos, as well as a video, to show the before and after. If anybody would like to offer their opinion on the condition of the tank I would gladly listen to any advice. Purchased some cleaner from Advanced Auto and poured it in there and shook it all kinds of ways, see what the end result looks like just view video clip. Ordered a new fuel pump and screen. I'll get oil and a filter this week. New belts come in tomorrow morning! Slowly but surely I will get this 7 back on the road again!
I am excited to share this journey with you all. These cars become rarer and harder to find as the years go on. I'm glad I walked into that breakroom and that kid asked me, "Hey, wanna buy an RX7?" Stay tuned and I will for sure keep you all posted. Getting to its new home!! Sitting patiently... just a little bit longer! The "restoration" has begun! A little scared when we dropped the tank because this was to be expected but still expecting the worst and hoping for the best.
Last edited by Paul_Diaz_Photography1; Aug 22, 2022 at 10:00 PM.
Congrats man, what a find. Hope you get it back on the road soon.
Thank you!! I hope so too man! Lol having a little trouble finding a replacement for my original fuel pump 🧐 (see photo)…. I’ll get it back on the road!
Here’s the original fuel pump and this one that Advanced Auto recommended… yeah that’s not going to work for me lol
That thing looks super clean. A good find for sure!
It truly is considering the age of the vehicle. Glad the previous owner at least garaged it all these years. But thank you for the comment! Keep coming back and I’ll eventually have an update with me driving it lol ….hopefully sooner rather than later!
🤨 This seems much better than that last one I got!
Here is the latest fuel pump I picked up this evening and by the looks of it this seems like a better replacement than that first one they suggested. Looks identical but just 30+ years newer lol
Update: So we tried to start it after dumping the old gas out as well as replacing the fuel pump. Changed the spark plugs and wires. All it did was turn over but wouldn’t fire… almost as if it wasn’t getting fuel 🤨 we checked the spark plugs and we have spark and here’s the part where it gets a little tricky lol I remember the previous owner stating he installed a fuel cut off switch but can’t seem to locate it. I text him and that’s what he responded back to me (see pic). He says it’s underneath the steering column but I can’t seem to find it. I shared some photos of underneath the column that maybe someone can point out or point me into the right direction. Thank you
looks like they replaced the OEM fuel pump relay with an aftermarket relay. Follow that white wire coming off the left hand side of it, and i'd guess that will lead you to the the switch.
looks like they replaced the OEM fuel pump relay with an aftermarket relay. Follow that white wire coming off the left hand side of it, and i'd guess that will lead you to the the switch.
Thank you for the swift response. Shortly after initially reading your response I had to deal with two separate deaths that just put me in a place where I didn’t want to touch the car… just figured I go back to messing around with it because I’m sure that’s what one of them would have wanted since he kept asking me how it was coming along each week since I got it. I found this cable loose on one side on a connector. After googling and YouTubing lol I’d figure I’ll ask on here just to be safe, is this tied to the fuel pump and tells it to turn on? Because I am getting nothing on the fuel pump itself. I don’t hear it kick on when I put the key to the ON position. Is this the reason why? Or part of the reason… either way, it can’t be. Thank you for any advice. Found this tied to a connector that was partially attached on one end and not the other 🤨
The relay in the picture is the circuit opening relay. Guess what it does....It provides power to the fuel pump relay. That wire specifically is the 12V supply for the relay coil, and should be HOT when the key is on. Splice that baby back together and it should click when you turn the key. And if your fuel pump relay is working, your fuel pump will turn on....or at least your pump will get voltage.
The relay in the picture is the circuit opening relay. Guess what it does....It provides power to the fuel pump relay. That wire specifically is the 12V supply for the relay coil, and should be HOT when the key is on. Splice that baby back together and it should click when you turn the key. And if your fuel pump relay is working, your fuel pump will turn on....or at least your pump will get voltage.
lol my gosh 🤦🏻♂️ Now we hear the fuel pump kick on 👍🏼 However, now the car won’t turn over 🙃 ::sigh:: sooooo, uhhh, yup lol is it possible the starter now went out?? Could that be a possibility? I hear a humming sound, but like I said it doesn’t even “turn over” now.
Last edited by Paul_Diaz_Photography1; Sep 5, 2022 at 12:39 PM.
So you can hear the starter spinning but the engine isn't cranking over? Is the humming from the fuel pump or the starter motor?
Something is “humming” when I turn the key to try to crank. When I unplug the clip from which I just reconnected the torn wire and attempt to turn the car on, I hear nothing. As soon as plug the clip back in and attempt to turn the car on, I get that humming sound that I stated earlier. I believe the sound is coming from the fuel pump.
I am pretty sure it’s the fuel pump making that sound because when I unplug the clip that leads into the fuel pump itself, there is no sound. Unless there isn’t suppose to be because somehow that clip is tied to the starter as well and if it’s not plugged in there shouldn’t be any power circulating therefore not sending signal to the starter. 🤔 if what I just wrote makes sense.
Last edited by Paul_Diaz_Photography1; Sep 5, 2022 at 09:22 PM.
Yeah, sounds like you're hearing the fuel pump. If you really wanted you could always verify by removing the fuel line from the filter and make sure you're getting fuel flow.
The starter system is complelty seperate from the fuel system, so sound like you have some other issues going on. Do you have the factory service manuals (FSM)? If not, I highly suggest downloading them:
Yeah, sounds like you're hearing the fuel pump. If you really wanted you could always verify by removing the fuel line from the filter and make sure you're getting fuel flow.
The starter system is complelty seperate from the fuel system, so sound like you have some other issues going on. Do you have the factory service manuals (FSM)? If not, I highly suggest downloading them:
clearly not great, but still functioning if you have power. Apparently the person didn't know the main fuse is bolted down on the sides....Rookies....haha
Update: So we tried to start it after dumping the old gas out as well as replacing the fuel pump. Changed the spark plugs and wires. All it did was turn over but wouldn’t fire… almost as if it wasn’t getting fuel 🤨 we checked the spark plugs and we have spark and here’s the part where it gets a little tricky lol I remember the previous owner stating he installed a fuel cut off switch but can’t seem to locate it. I text him and that’s what he responded back to me (see pic). He says it’s underneath the steering column but I can’t seem to find it. I shared some photos of underneath the column that maybe someone can point out or point me into the right direction. Thank you
before cranking how did you lube rotor seals? Just beginning getting 91 convertible going after 3 years HELP
You need to go through that wiring under the dash and put it back to original. That relay doesnt go there.
Test if your fuel pump is working by turning the key to the run position and pushing open the flap door on the AFM. You should hear the pump kick on.
Theres a 10ga or 12ga Black/red wire that goes from the key switch to the starter cut relay. thats to engage your starter. Make sure thats connected to the ignition switch. If youve verified the starter is not engaging, try to jump at the starter cut relay which is near the brake master. If youve verified that the starter is spinning but not engaging then its probably fucked. I'd still try jumping the posts on the starter under the car just to be sure.
Also, fuel pump wire coming off of the ignition is black/white.
You need to go through that wiring under the dash and put it back to original. That relay doesnt go there.
Test if your fuel pump is working by turning the key to the run position and pushing open the flap door on the AFM. You should hear the pump kick on.
Theres a 10ga or 12ga Black/red wire that goes from the key switch to the starter cut relay. thats to engage your starter. Make sure thats connected to the ignition switch. If youve verified the starter is not engaging, try to jump at the starter cut relay which is near the brake master. If youve verified that the starter is spinning but not engaging then its probably fucked. I'd still try jumping the posts on the starter under the car just to be sure.
Also, fuel pump wire coming off of the ignition is black/white.
Thank you so much! I will follow your suggestions and I appreciate your response! I want to get this FC running so bad lol
Two things: One: Can anybody tell me if that white clip is suppose to be connected? It was unconnected when I was replacing my starter. I connected the two back together. Should I have done that?
and
two: this new starter that I have has two parts that are stacked on top of each other, my original starter had them side-by-side. I forgot to snap a picture of the “before” so I can connect everything like how it’s suppose to be. Does the wire with the little black plastic cover go on top? Or on the bottom for the starter I have… thank you for any help.
Last edited by Paul_Diaz_Photography1; Sep 18, 2022 at 07:00 PM.
This is what I’m getting (watch video) after replacing the Starter. The spark plugs and wires. And all the belts. Cleaned the gas tank. New fuel pump. I am clearly missing something, I just don’t know what it is yet lol any suggestions??
