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1986 Mazda RX7 car wont start

Tiny
86MAZDA
  • MEMBER
  • 1986 MAZDA RX7
  • 1.3L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 127,000 MILES
Hello and thank u in advance.

My car has been sitting for a yr due to over heating. I start every couple months and it either starts after a couple attempts or I push it in 2nd and it starts rite up. Granted I charge battery. Now a week ago I put in new radiator and thermostat so I can drive again. I had battery charged put new gas in cleaned plugs and rotated engine manually since has been sitting and it cranked over as to start but wouldn't. So I clutch start in 2nd and 3rd gear and all it did was putter. Battery died so recharge and tried to start again but this time I turn key and nothing happens. I hear starter solenoid and a clicking from engine not battery. Windows Dash lights headlights radio all work but cabin lights and blinkers don't work anymore. I can't figure out pl help
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Friday, February 28th, 2014 AT 2:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have battery tested for condtion including load teset
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Saturday, March 1st, 2014 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
86MAZDA
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  • 4 POSTS
To test the battery I removed the rx 7 battery which has a CCA of 640 and running amp of 800 and put in my 2000 kia sepia which has a CCA of 650 and 810. When I switched batteries I drove the rx7 battery in the kia for 2 days and had no problems starting just a squeaking belt. I put Kia battery in rx7 and same issue. It will want to crank then gradually die, when I try again nothing happens but gauge in rx7 reads on both batteries over 12 amps. I have checked fuses for engine and cabin and all are well. I hear that if a rotary is left sitting it can have carbon lock but it wants to crank a little so I'm not sure. Would a faulty ignition switch be to blame? Is there anything that causes non rotaries to not start when pushed and sitting or is this just an as usual rotary thing. Perhaps something clogged or bad switch/relay that I'm missing
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Saturday, March 1st, 2014 AT 11:24 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
That isnt' a way to test battery as it should be load tested as well and condition autoparts do for free. Put a volt gauge on your battery and try to start see how many volts if it drops below 9 then it may be the starter but if you have carbon lock take the plugs out ans spin it over. The starter should be pulled off and tested for draw auto parts do that as well. It may be abad connection or solenoid n starter which would require a another starter.
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Sunday, March 2nd, 2014 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
86MAZDA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok, I had battery tested and it was fine, so I changed the solenoid with a brand new one and the same issue persists. The gauge reads 12.5 volts and when attempt to start car it drops to 10 which is normal from what I read online. I turned the engine manually and no resistance so it seems no carbon lock and thats at least a positive. I assume I should take alternator off again and have it tested. Would it possible that the ignition switch is faulty given age of car? Since battery tested fine and alternator tested fine the only things I can think of are the alternator, ignition switch and coils packs which would cause nothing to happen when attempting to start. Is there anything else I'm missing?
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Thursday, March 6th, 2014 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the car wont' turn over it's probably your starter or is it turning over and not firing? I f your alternator tested ok don't replace it. So yo have fuel pressure? Fire to spark plugs? Or does it turnover and not run? If that is the case then check for spark at dist or spark plugs, fuel pressure and if you have both o fthose then check your compression
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Thursday, March 6th, 2014 AT 12:01 PM
Tiny
86MAZDA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
When I turn the key nothing happens just hear solenoid from starter and a click/buzz from engine compartment. It won't turn over to check if there is a spark. I don't have equipment to check so I can take coil pack starter and such to auto parts store to check it. I checked the fuel pump and fuel is moving through. What other methods can I check for fuel pressure? Is taking plugs out and checking for puffs of air when I crank engine the only way to check for compression? I'm not familiar with another method for checking.
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Saturday, March 8th, 2014 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Do yourself a favor have a pro diagnose an dfix this save money, time and aggravation I think you are tackling something you know nothing about.
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Sunday, March 9th, 2014 AT 8:11 AM

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