tmak1456

I just bought an '87 TII a few couple days ago. It has 130,000 on the odometer, 70,000 on the transmission, and the engine was rebuilt by PF Supercars around 50,000 miles ago. It has a turbo timer a boost gauge a wideband an aftermarket intake, and a Racing Beat exhaust. When I bought the car it started fine every time, but for some reason you had to REALLY press down the clutch and give it a little gas when it starts to turn over. The p.o. thought that there may have been either a bad fuel pump, but more likely a bad ground. It started in this manor (having to fully depress the clutch pedal, and the some) with no problem, but this morning I started having some problems. I went out this morning for a while and when I stopped at the gas station for a drink and it took quite a few tries to get it to start. I went to dmv to register it after that and upon leaving I noticed it started fine. I figured "no problem, this morning must have been a fluke." After that I went to visit someone and when I came out it wouldn't start. I started to roll it backwards to get it out of the way so I could take a look at it, but decided to try starting it one more time. It started the 2nd or 3rd try. So I got it home now and can't get it to start at all.

I looked thoroughly through my Haynes repair manual, the fsm linked in the FAQ, and searched for similar problems. All I can come up with is maybe a bad starter, ignition switch, magnetic switch, or a wire somewhere along the way is frayed or broken. I'm not sure what to check first, or if I'm even on the right path, and any input would be greatly appreciated.

RXSpeed16

iTrader: (41)

Sounds like the common hot start flooding issue with rotaries. Lots of info about it on the forum, but leading causes are low compression or leaky fuel injectors. The most common band-aid is a fuel pump cut switch that disables the fuel pump when cranking so it doesn't flood. While the actual fix is to get the injectors cleaned or engine rebuilt.
As for really having to press the clutch before starting, your clutch pedal sensor may be out of adjustment.

tmak1456

Thanks for the ideas. It ended up simply being that the clutch pedal switch was not getting full depressed. I put a spacer on the back of the clutch pedal and I have no problems. Luckily it has no problems starting warm, and compression is good.