i need someone smarter than i am
 

ok maybe someone w/ a clear mind can help me......my 86 RX7 started last night then shut down.... i found that if i put a 30a fuse in the spare main fuse slot that i could start it......but when i turn the key off the engine keeps going.....but nothing else. so i start exploring. it has something to do w/ the engine fuse under the dash not getting power to it.......could it be a relay? if so, which one? what i did as a temp fix is ran a wire from the battery to the engine fuse and put a toggle to kill the motor......please help, my mind is tangled in the wiring and i need a fresh thought process to help me.

You're in Ohio? Dover is down near New Philly if I remember right.

Head over to OhioRotaries.com, I've already copied your post over for ya. There are some locals on there that don't come around here much that could probably help.
http://www.ohiorotaries.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=242

Have you actually blown any fuses?

no fuses blown....mind boggling........thanks for the lead, i appriciate it

so basically ur ignition system works only when the key is at the start position? without using that mystery fuse. Ur problem has got to be in the circuit involving the "run" key position.

?
 

this i know..... either its a short(open) in the wiring or the fuse box?

Have you checked the 2nd gen forums? I know some wonderful person posed a Factory Service Manual for us firstgenners, and FC'er mightve done the same.

I know it sucks, but get a test light or a multimeter* and start tracing. I would start at the fuse panel and the underhood components. If nothing is amiss there then pull the column open.

*Radio Shack P/N 22-802, best $20 I ever spent at the shack