ok ... just picked up an '85 rx-7 and am getting some of the bugs worked out (or figured out!)

first - was using the headlights and turned the car off when i parked without turning h-lights off. no biggie - just turned them off. didnt go back down. started the car up - turned the lights on, then off again. nope - still not going down. there appears to be a switch of some sort for the headlights just left of the steering wheel but it didnt do anything. IS THERE A TRICK TO THIS THAT I AM MISSING? if not, is there an easy fix to this?

second, i guess over a series of owners, some parts have been removed from the engine compartment. there are a few items not connected and i believe my local shop (non-rx specialaized) suggest they should have been connected to the solenoid (? going by memory ... dont have their report here). again - does this sound like a common "work-around" or is it someone being "creative" ?!?

third, a fuel pump (secondary one?) has been hooked up to the cruise control switch to help warm starting. creative ... or insane?

thanks for any input,

 

I can answer the lack of component question as the car probably had all the ugly, unessesary emmissions equipment removed. This is common in FB's.

Headlights, donno.

Fuel Pump: Do you mean a fuel shut off switch to help avoid flooding?

Is your RX-7 12A or 13B Fuel Injection?

 

Check your fusible links for the headlights, little box on your driver side strut tower. Do a search in the first gen section for it, theres a few options to replace it.

 

Fuseable links is a good start... Also the headlight switch itself tends to get crusty with time. Spend some time with your tool set, digital multi meter, and a good wiring diagram, and you'll be o.k.

The fuel pumps are electric, and a cutoff switch is common to help starting period.

 

there is no such thing as a stupid question just an ill placed one

 

The headlights pop up when you turn them on and also go up with the secondary switch so that they can be washed or kept up overnight when it snows, or ices.

The non fuel injected cars (12a motor) have a hot start assist electric motor that runs a cable to the carb. This motor is controlled from the starter through a fusible link. Are you sure that you are looking at a second fuel pump???

 

Fuel Pump: Do you mean a fuel shut off switch to help avoid flooding?

Is your RX-7 12A or 13B Fuel Injection?
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it is a 12a. it seems like the switch actually helps fuel get and stay at the engine to get it going initally. i almost guaranteed one stall before she gets warmed up.

but i have some ideas to try and the headlights ... thanks - knew i could count on you folks!

sounds like i dont have to woory about missing parts though!

 

had a stereo added (have the original if anyone is looking though i dont think the cassette works very well) and now i seem to have lost the dash lights and rear lights (brake lights are fine, but when h-lights are turned on, rear lights dont come on). seems to be blowing the fuse. is the headlight door on the same fuse (might explain why they wont go down)? seems like a lot of things to be on the same wiring line ....

 

Get yourself a Haynes manual from Crappy Tire. It'll help you immensely with figuring this kind of thing out. The wiring diagrams are decent enough. Have you tried to manually crank the headlights back down? (disconnect the battery before trying this) Then turn them on and see if they will raise again. That way, you'll know if it involves just one or both retractor circuits. How did you hook up the new stereo?: using the existing lines and grounds or new ones? It's starting to sound like you have a ground fault.

 

Better place for the manuals is www.rotaryheads.com These are the Factory Service Manuals

Click the links on the left hand side that say "pdf manuals"

 

^^True...good call.^^

I don't know what I was thinking when I suggested sending someone to Crappy Tire on purpose. They probably wouldn't have it in stock anyway.

 

The Kincardine one ALWAYS stocks the FC one!

 

funny enough ... when i was thinking of picking up this 1st gen, i happened to be in crappy tire ... they had a 2nd gen manual! the stereo was installed by best buy. just dropped it back there (where i found out it was blowing a fuse that i gather covers the dash and rear lights. just seems odd that the same circuit would also control the headlights. however ... heading for the referred sight to check out the manuals!

 

you should have a Headlight fuse and a retractor fuse on the main fuse block in the engine bay..as for the stereo,I'm going to bet that you used the cigarette lighter fuse to Power the Stereo and then used the Wire from the Illumination light on it to Make give it power like the Inside Dash lights..you should Find where the stereo is powered Under the dash..Take the hot Side and put a spade Connector on that..that way you can at least Have the Stereo working off of the ignition switch,without hacking up any wiring.