Hello, I just recently landed a 89' rx-7 13b rotor and am having a few problems. The car will start and run fine I just have to flip the ignition over and over until it cranks (awful for the sparkplug I know) and whenever I come across a stop sign or stop light I have to monitor my RPMS like crazy for fear of them dropping because when the RPM's hit 0 or the car tries to come to a complete stop, it turns off. It's put me in a few really bad situations at stoplights so I need to get it fixed asap. It also smokes pretty bad when started which I figured was the oil and if so was looking for a fuel additive recommendation to try and clear the gas chamber. Thanks for whoever replies !

 

Congratulations on your going rotary. A couple questions just to make certain we're on the same page. When you say"flip the ignition over and over until it cranks", do you mean that the starter is turning the engine over but it will not fire up or does it mean the starter does not turn (crank) the engine?
Another, will the engine idle after warming up?
And speaking of being on the same page, you shouls download the available info from here 1989-91 Mazda RX-7 Factory Service Manual

 

Well both, the starter doesn't turn the engine until i turn it multiple times and even then it doesnt crank or fire up until i turn it multiple times.

 

The intermittent starter problem is more than likely a poor ground. That is what I'd tackle next. If the ground is good and the problem persists then the solenoid and ignition switch, in that order would be my most suspect components to check and verify.
When it does start, will it idle?

 

As stated above, you have not pinpointed where your issue is; it could be a poor trans/engine --> chassis ground, the ignition switch itself, the factory security relay, the starter/solenoid, etc.

I would first do a sanity check and jump the starter signal wire to the B+ terminal (directly at the starter) with a screwdriver. If it cranks each and every time, you can focus your efforts further up the chain.
I would then follow up with a DMM measurement of the voltage at the starter signal terminal (again, directly on the starter) during cranking. If your voltage is not present or significantly lower than battery voltage (remember, battery voltage will dip during cranking) when the issue occurs, you now have the information you need to pinpoint where in the chain the issue lies.

This does sounds like the typical "click click start" problem, which has been documented and covered very well over the last 30+ years these cars have been on the road; a lot of information for you out there if you search. The commonly accepted "fix" for this is the add a "starter booster" relay. I do not agree with this method, the reason which I explain in detail in this thread below. In a nutshell, the factory electrical system relies on the load of the starter solenoid coil to properly function, and by adding a starter booster you have now isolated that load...and circuits no longer function as intended.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati.../#post12380274