FLSaffire

Hello everyone, I am new here, so please forgive me if I do anything in error! I've just registered here, as I am having problems with my 1990 Mazda RX7. Going by the forum suggestions I tried downloading from the link for my cars tech manual?? but of course it took me elsewhere, so if anyone knows where I can get this, it would help me while trouble shooting. OK, here I go, was finally able to get my car back on the road a little while back, so yes, it was sitting for a bit, but I kept it started off and on. It has a new battery. Problems I noticed with the car once it was back to being driven are as follows; wiper motor made funny noise, would not turn on wipers, then went out completely, retractable headlights not retracting back down, so both remain open, got radio to work but when I turned on headlights it would go out...so somehow theres a short?? Alright those basically are the only problems I noticed before this major one I'm about to write......Extremely happy to finally get my car back on the road, well I went out to start it one morning to visit my family and it would not start, it made the noise like it would start but would not turn over the motor, so eventually after trying a few times, I of course killed the battery.....ok, my son tried to help me to jump it with his car, he hooked up the cables, I was sitting in my car and heard slight crackling type noises then light smoke coming from the ac vent drivers left hand side. I immediately told him to disconnect the cables. He swears up and down that he hooked them up correctly and I believe him, as he is very responsible type person. Anyway, my ex tried to jump it again with his truck and it will not do nothing at all.
I cannot afford to have Mazda pick it up, so I am hoping I can resolve this on my own, unless it's beyond what I can do of course. Well there it is, anyone have any advise on my first step in resolving this? thank you so much in advance.....

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

condensed answer:
Foxed.ca for manuals.

Disconnect the battery and look for damage caused by the Boost first.
Check the MAIN fuse in the engine bay( 100 amp fuse to see if it is Blown.
NOTE: the Cable with the YELLOW STRIPE IS NEGATIVE on these cars.

FLSaffire

Ok, I got the battery cable off (yellow striped cable was on correctly). Trying to gain access to the 100 amp fuse, will have to wait for my son to come back from work for small enough wrench w/e to remove the 2 bolts/screws, so i can pull the fuse out to check it. I'll keep you updated, will be later on this afternoon. So far I do see a small hairline crack about an inch long on one of the cables, not sure it this is evidence?? thank you for responding, much appreciation!!

satch

iTrader: (1)

If the wipers or turn signals work w/key to on then the Main fuse is good.

FLSaffire

Finally got the main fuse out and was told YES it is blown, yea right? Will get another one, I can't see any visible damage from the boost....
Should i do or check something else prior to changing main fuse and trying to jump it again?? thank you

satch

iTrader: (1)

You'll find out soon enough if you have other related problems.

FLSaffire

ordered the fuse online, no one in this small town carries it, so I'll update when it arrives and I give it a try in starting, until then...ty

FLSaffire

Fuse came in today, upon further inspection the negative cable (with yellow stripe) has a RED clamp or w/e it's called, sooooo my son did put the cable on the wrong one thinking RED is positive...not doing a thing upon trying to jump, no voltage at all

Melach22

Thanks for this info!

FLSaffire

Can anyone tell me my next step? check ECU? if so where is it located? thanks

satch

iTrader: (1)

You need to figure out whether the Ignition Switch is receiving voltage or not. W/key to on do the wipers or turn signals work or not. If not then the switch is not being powered.

FLSaffire

I think the ignition switch is getting voltage because when we were trying to jump it and I turned the key, the voltage gauge on the car itself did shutter or move ever so slightly and back down.

satch

iTrader: (1)

Then what exactly do you mean by no voltage at all? What type of voltage are you expecting and where are you expecting it at. And it would take but a few seconds to check what I suggested you do.

FLSaffire

I guess in my mind, I'm thinking if the gauge moved a bit when I turned the key then it's getting some kind of connection?? When I turn the key, no- no lights work or turn signals work.

satch

iTrader: (1)

The lights are independent of the Ignition Switch. The engine fusebox is powered by the battery which supplies these fuses w/constant voltage. One of these fuses is the Head fuse which powers the headlights. If they don't work then one scenario is this fuse is not receiving power which should be easy to check. Also, you need to check to see if the wire coming off of the firewall side of the fusebox that comes from the Main fuse has constant voltage as well. This wire drops down below the fusebox about a foot and mates w/another wire that leads to the Ignition Switch.