Skyl3r

Hello All,

My car: 1980 RX-7 12A Carb'd

Story:
I started my car up, it started fine though there was a bit of smoke. I assumed this was because last time I drove it, I only drove it around the block, so it might have flooded some.
I took the car up the street after letting it warm up; at the end of the street, I popped out of gear to wait at a stop sign and my car just died. I tried to start it again and it only would turn.
(then I had the embarrassing roll of shame back down my street )

Problem:
When I turn the key, lights come on, engine turns but there is no combustion at all.
I've tested for spark and there is none, though I have not tested the wires yet.


Things I've tested:

• My initial thought was the engine was flooded, so I pulled the spark plugs to look at them. They were soaked in gas, so I ordered new plugs and pulled the spark plugs out and left them out for a day and spun the engine by hand to get all the gas out. This didn't work. Same results
• Tried starter fluid and had no combustion at all; so I figured there must be no spark (I did a simple test to determine this was the case)
• I replaced distributor rotor and cap. This didn't fix anything
• I verified the battery is putting out 12v. It is

I don't think it could be the wires, because they wouldn't have all failed at once.

I don't think it's engine compression because even if the compression was bad, you'd think all the starter fluid would have at least got some sort of reaction.


I think coils are my most likely bet, though I still need to get a multimeter and test.

Any ideas from anyone who may have had an issue like this before or know more about the car than I do?

lduley

iTrader: (1)

Being your is a 80 your problem is probably bad ignitors. Extremely common to go bad being the age that they are

Skyl3r

Hello Iduley,

I greatly appreciate your response.
Now bare with me, because this could be a stupid question; but I've been struggling to find an answer.
I've found the appropriate RX-7 ignitors at Atkins Rotary, but they cost $90 apiece. I was researching DLIDFIS setups and the ignitors used can be purchased for $5. Is there a cheaper option for simply replacing my ignitors?
At the point that I'm spending $90-180 for new ignitors, it feels like I'd probably be better off just taking the leap and setting up DLIDFIS.

Thanks

lduley

iTrader: (1)

That would be your choice, do some scrounging in the 1st gen technical section, and make your decision with the knowledge from there.

Skyl3r

Well, I ended up deciding to go with the igniters from Atkins. I may go direct igniter sometime in the future.
After some research, all symptoms of ICM failure line right up with what I've experienced. I fully expect the ICM replacement to fix this. Thanks for the suggestion!