1986 s4 absolutely base rx7 here, new member and I usually never find myself to post on here due to the fact that It's satisfying to find a problem and fix it yourself but sometimes there's a few problems that completely baffle you.

My RX7 currently has this weird thing going on where I turn the key, the starter clicks and it shorts(?) Out. The lights and motors don't work UNTIL I open and slam the door. Then everything works again.

Also if anyone wants to direct me to a person/place where I can source an S4 T2 engine, for a swap. I'd rather not have to deal with swapping an S5 to an S4 chassis. I am in highschool after all.

 

The starter click issue, clean your battery terminals and cables, and clean oil off of wires at the starter.

As for the other issue, What lights and motors are you taking about?

 

They're the same issue. The process is:
I turn the key. It clicks and shorts out and no electronics work (headlight motors, headlights, hazards, etc). I take the key out. I open and slam the door close. All the electronics work again.

 

When you slam the door, your probably fixing whatever broken, loose, or shorted wire by moving it.

If you lose all power it's somewhere between the positive battry cable and the 100amp under hood fuse or the negative battery cabe and ground.

 

This had only started happening after replacing the hood to a T2 hood and has never once happened before, I had also replaced the 100A fuse prior. Then again, me hitting a pothole and breaking the lower control arm ball join might also be related to the problem. Heh.

 

If you replaced the 100amp fuse, I'd start there.

 

What would I be testing/looking for?

 

Well. There's a large wire there, that comes from the battery or the alternator, that bolts to that 100amp fuse. Make sure the contact is good and it's not loose. Then you can check continuity from there to the battery terminal. Try running a temporary ground wire from the negative terminal to the back of the starter.

Basically trace the battery wire from the 100amp fuse to the battery, and check all grounds.

Could also be your main relay which I think is behind the trailing coil. Next time you lose powerr try to tap it with a screwdriver handle or something and see if it makeS it work.