Car died, won't start
 

I'll try and make this as compressed as possible but I want to cover everything I've done..

Picked up an 86 rx7 and it didn't run when I got it, very clean but just wouldn't start.. Thought it was flooding (cranked but wouldn't spark and smelled like gas) so I followed all the online deflooding guides a couple time but didn't help.

Eventually stopped smelling like gas when I would crank it, checked that it was sparking, compression sounded good but wouldn't start. Checked the fuel lines and it didn't appear to be getting any gas so I tried it with my friends fuel pump and it started getting fuel.

The previous owner added a fuel cut off switch and we weren't sure which was on and off so we kept cranking it on/off/on/off EVENTUALLY it started up, died right away but after a few more times trying to start it, it finally started up again, feathered the gas to keep and running and got it to a state where it could idle and be turned off and on..

All this was done while connected to a battery charger to allow us to crank it (battery wouldn't hold a charge very well), disconnected it one time and the car died but eventually it was we got it running without the charger supporting it.

We took it around the block and it died half way, haven't been able to get it started again since, changed the battery for my friends battery and it still won't start (maybe his battery is crap) when the car stopped I think it was the battery cause it just petered out and power steering disengaged and the battery was never great to begin with..

Not sure if anyone here can help me?

TLDR: Car cranked but wouldn't start, deflooded by removing spark plugs and putting in ATF, changed fuel pump, got it started and drove half way around the block and it died, car will not start since..

Thanks!

welcome to the board. :)

first you need to sort out the power supply. have the battery checked and replace as necessary. how old is it? you may also want to have the alternator checked as well.

it is my humble opinion that may need to consult Aaron Cake's website and read his primer/guide on refurbishing a fuel system after the car has been inactive. it may make the road ahead of you a little smoother and it sure won't be time or money wasted if you plan to keep the car.

Thank you :)

I will check out the guide to refurbishing the fuel system but I have a question about the alternator, my car would still be able to start with a bad alternator would it not?

yes. with a good battery, it could start and run, but it wouldn't charge it. with a dead or questionable battery, it's pretty much a moot point.