Won't start sometimes-DESPARATE! 93 FD RX7
 

Hello Everyone,
No-it is not what you think, it's about my car! The damn thing won't turn-over---sometimes. It will eventually, if you keep asking it to. I have a new battery, new starter, $500 bill form the Mazda dealer and no resolve. Then I am looking at one last night for sale in Katy, TX and they describe the problem. They said they heard to disable factory ALARM should fix, which I did today, and still same issue. I LOVE THIS CAR, and I just want to fix it without rigging it. I am thinking of doing that though. But I thought I would reach out for help first. It sounds like this is a common issue...thanks for any help!
All stock-no mods YET...:egrin:

Does this primarily happen when the engine is warm or dead cold?

Have you attempted to unflood the engine?

Does it happen after you run the car and stop it without the engine getting fully warmed?

David

We need more info of the car like is it bone stock or upgrade? And what are the upgrades?

Da
 

Sorry for not being specific:
When you turn the key, sometimes it will crank and start fine, other times it just clicks and I was told by one mechanic, when it does this I am only getting 6V at the starter. Then you turn the key back and forth, and it will eventually cranks and starts and runs fine. It does not matter if it's cold - hot, it is very intermittent. While at the dealer, he verified the ignition, and all other components are working properly. NO MODS ON THIS CAR YET.
Here is what the car owner in TX said about theirs, and I have the same issue! The other issue is with the ignition. The vehicle has a glitch in the ignition system where sometimes nothing happens when you turn the key. When that happens, I have always been able to keep trying a few times and eventually it starts. According to the records that I obtained from the original owner, this issue started early in its life. Mazda has been unable to fix. I was recently advised that it probably has to do with the security system and that disabling the security system may fix the problem.

Thanks for any help
 

Please read my reply to dgeesaman---again, thank you for any help.

Chances are it is the security relay or the clutch relay switch. You can make a jumper for both of them and test this (total cost about $1). I'd take the time to do this before going to mechanic. Chances are it will be one or the other....99% certainty.

Automatic ---- so no clutch switch, and I did disable the security system, with no change. I do not know how to bypass. Does anyone know how to bypass the security system of an FD? I also believe this is where the problem is.

THANKS! Paul

Ignition switch?

Dealer said ignition was good-I think I will go around the security system and see if this helps.
THANKS!

Unreal-DUDE! Force13B - your the best! I did not understand your post and today I clicked on this:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.ph...ighlight=click
It took me ten minutes to do this procedure.
Now my car starts every-time! I followed what it said to do and it is working perfectly! Thank you so much. I am sorry did not click on it sooner, if I had seen this link I would have. Very happy!

I NEED THIS FIX!!. Your link doesnt not work anymore.... same problem w/ 93 rx7 fd. Please help

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-relay-872841/

I took this from Force13B ;) Hes the man

click-click start answer
 

I bought the "FIX" from Petit Racing in Florida. They have a wire-bypass kit for you starter wiring so that your starter will always get 12volts. When you turn the key and it does not turn over and just clicks, I measured about 6volts at the starter. You can build your own or buy theirs at $49. It will fix it for good. The dealer was not helpful with this issue, even though there is service bulletin out there....GOOD LUCK, and just know it will never leave you stranded, you sometimes just need patients...and a few more turns of the key. My sometimes took 3 or 4.

Dealerships really are worthless. They love to guess what the problem is and "fix" things that aren't broke, and they aren't cheap.

Glad to hear you got it fixed though, nothing I hate more than starting problems.

Thanks for posting the update.
Not a big fan of dealerships either. But in their defense, most of the tech's were still in grade school when the FD was new. And remember, it was only imported here for 3 years and in low numbers. Dealership service departments just aren't likely to have much of an experience base.
That's what makes this forum such a great resource if you're a DIY guy...or like me, live in the middle of fly-over country with no rotary specialty shops close-by.

I was having this problem, try checking the fuse box. Also clean all the connectors with electrical connection cleaner.

Compression check as well.

Dealerships in germany are no freaking better, they want you to pay outrageous prices for sparkplugs and wires. 260 euros for the wires and 320 euros for the Plugs.. That is absolutely insane. Wankel supposedly Originated from Germany, but obviously none of these fools thought it was important to keep a FEW technology masters around.. you could make serious bank here. lol

Thanks for this thread and answers, didn't even need to make one of my own!