New Member RX-7 Technical Post your first technical questions here, in an easy flame free environment, before jumping into the main technical sections.

1988 RX7 won't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 11:19 AM
  #1  
jpshuyler's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: West Virginia
1988 RX7 won't start

Hi, Three weeks ago I bought a non-turbo RX7 and up until 2 days ago it ran fine. My son called me and said the car wouldn't start. I noticed it was low on oil, added a qt and it started fine. The next morning it would not start again. When you turn the key it does nothing, no clicking or anything. If you try to start it with the headlights on, the lights don't dim at all. We messed with the clutch/neutral switch and after many tries it started twice and ran fine. Now it won't start again. It's seems the starter is not getting any juice to it. Do you think it could be the clutch/neutral switch, I am hesitant to buy one as they are so expensive and I'm not sure that's the problem. Do you think it could be the ignition switch? Is there anyway to test it? Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, JP
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 10:24 AM
  #2  
hanman's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL
Sounds like maybe the starter. Why don't you pull it and have it checked at a auto parts store. If the lights aren't dimming when you turn it over, it is usually the starter.
Bad battery cables on these cars are also a common fail point. It is best to just replace them. I make my own. It is cheaper.
If you find it is the neutral safety switch, I would look for a used one. Try Jeff Redpath at Apex Auto Parts in Oklahoma City. He deals in used RX parts. www.rx7addict@aol.com
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 12:46 PM
  #3  
nightrider's Avatar
NiGHT$RIDER
iTrader: (-1)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Rio rancho
hit the starter with a hammer not hit but tap it while some one trys to start it or bush or try to jumb it with the neg on the engine block
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2008 | 11:22 AM
  #4  
ExcessFC's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Boise
The hammer trick is one of the greatest there are. Good luck
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2008 | 01:20 PM
  #5  
AreExSevenProject's Avatar
drift city
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
i agree sounds like a starter or ground preblem. But on the other hand that car sounds like it is goign to give you some hell Get a continuty checker....lol
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2008 | 01:54 PM
  #6  
nightrider's Avatar
NiGHT$RIDER
iTrader: (-1)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Rio rancho
its blown lol damn rotarys nah jk
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2008 | 11:08 PM
  #7  
GTmachine's Avatar
looking for a s4 t2 swap
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: St.Louis
Yeah it definetly sounds like a bad sarter or lack of ground. Tap...Tap....Tap...Vrooom!!! Yeah! Good luck.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2015 | 01:43 PM
  #8  
Rx7 issues help's Avatar
Can Post Only in New Member Section
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Please help don't know what it could be

Hi my name is Derly I have a 1988 rx7 and it started one night when I went to turn it on and it wouldn't start well I've been working on it all week thought it was a flood but it wasn't I changed the spark plugs and the fuel filter.The car sometime start but when it does start I have to rev it otherwise it don't work or when I'm trying to start it you hear the engine wanting to start but something is killing it or not letting it start can you guys help me out and tell me what it can be
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
Jul 1, 2023 04:40 PM
ItsJBohmzB
Build Threads
171
Apr 24, 2017 01:11 PM
Im faster
General Rotary Tech Support
4
Aug 19, 2015 02:57 PM
86glxNA
New Member RX-7 Technical
7
Aug 18, 2015 03:33 PM
86glxNA
New Member RX-7 Technical
3
Aug 15, 2015 01:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:40 PM.