Well, she makes a high pitched whizzing FAST airy sound. Sounds like nothing is catching , just all spin. Its not a slow chugging noise..
sigh..
I tried the EGI trick three times.
Same sound, high pitched whizzzzzzzzzzzzzz..

Its a scary sound actually, sounds like she screaming.

 

If the engine isn't cranking at all, then it's probably a bad starter. The price of 100-200 at AutoZone sounds about right.

If you have a metric socket set, wrenches, and a pair of jack stands you could replace the starter yourself.

It's possible to do so without the jack stands, but it would be a tight fit under the car (I've done it when I replaced my battery cables).

 

Oh, and it definitely sounds like the starter isn't engaging the flywheel. I had a Ford Bronco and went through six starters before getting rid of it (an oil leak ruined the Bendix on each one before we knew why).

By the way, not every shop in the country is out to put one over on somebody. While I was in southern Michigan doing some Novell training, I thought that my alternator failed. So, I left it overnight at a service station. The next morning, it turned out to just be a loose wire (which runs to the main fuse box) that I didn't tighten down when I replaced the battery cables.

So, instead of being charged $300, I was charged only $36 and change for diagnostics.

I spoke to the mechanic who did the work and told me what was wrong and how he fixed it.

 

also we need to make sure you know shayla that you CANNOT start your RX7 and then shut it off without letting it reach operating temperature. If you just start it for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then shut it off it will probably flood every single time. So just remember to let it warm up each time it is started.

 

Whenever I start it, i've always let it warm up. I've never had this problem. O.o

 

It sounds like you have all your bases covered then.

 

Sounds to me like you need a man . Get a volenteer that's local to help you out. Gotta be someone on this board from around your area.


-Robert

 

Oi..

Yeah, that would be nice. But Then guys start asking me to lift my skirt up...

I'll figure it out eventually, I have to learn somehow.

Thanks guys.

Shayla

 

Ya, but learning on a car you need to drive is a big pain in the ***. Plus it's alot easir to learn by helping/watching rather than the expensive way of breaking/fixing

Good luck to you though .. some real man on here will send you a PM and offer to help i'm sure.


-Robert

 

its just the starter. buy one from a member or used off ebay. its not too hard to change it if you have any mechanical skill at all, if you cant change it call around and get prices just be careful who you take it to

 

I'd be happy to help, if I were in Oregon. For whatever it's worth, I wouldn't ask you to lift anything up.

You're doing just fine on your own so far. You diagnosed the problem, you've gone to experts, and you are already learning.

Don't sweat it, your car will be up and running again very soon.

 

One more thing, I have only read parts of this long *** post, but; if there is a griding noise it is your flywheeel. If there is no grinding noise it is your starter. 90% of the time your starter solnoid is not allowing the arm on the starter to come out all the way to engage the flywheel ... this can be fixed with a new starter, but I would start by taking apart the solnoid and cleaning it up first. That is a free fix if it works, and costs you nothing but a little time if it doesn't. Most of the time it does work.


-Robert

 

I'm going to get some rest for now.
You guys have been very helpful.
Thanks

 

I'm suprised that an Oregon club member hasn't offered to drop by to diagnose the problem.

Male or female, Shayla is a member how could use some some objective help...

It should be easy to tell a bum starter from a flooded engine!

 

If I lived out there I would be there but I don't.Check the for sale sections on the forums...i'll keep my eyes peeled.

 

OK how do I take apart the Solenoid and clean it ?

 

Meanwhile, im still looking for a new starter.

 

Honestly....... I still don't think it's your starter.

I think that it is super flooded, and you are being given the "easy answer" by the auto zone guy. But then again I haven't seen the car so I can't be sure. I have an easy test for you that will rule out the possibility of the starter without getting your hands dirty. Is the car automatic or 5 speed?

If it is 5speed, do you have to push the clutch to get it to start? If not, try this:

First thing: Place your car in the street, or somewhere with NOTHING around it.

Get in the car. Put the car in 1st gear. Remove the e-brake. Don't touch any pedals. turn the key and then release. If the car jerks forward, your starter is fine. If the car doesn't move, then you need a new starter. In essence you are making the engine run on the starter motor alone.

AGAIN: Do this somewhere that you wont hit anything!!! ie NOT the garage!

Don't keep cranking the starter, just turn it and release it quickly - if the starter is ok, then the car will lurch forward.

If the car doesn't move, then your starter is bad - and I humbly stand corrected. But if the car does move - then it's time for a major unflooding.

 

Yes its a 5 speed manual, and pushing the clutch is needed to start it.

 

Unfortunately, the clutch switch should prevent this.

Rob

 

Ok...

Well, since im not getting anywhere with this, and I'm way too much of a newb to do anything,I'll call up an auto shop and have her fixed by professional auto mechanics. I don't care the price, I just want her fixed.

Shayla

 

To bad I weren't closer. Sounds like an easy fix. Sounds like your starter is loose. It happened to me with my first 7.

POST IN THE NW SECTION. I garauntee you will get someone in portland that will help you out.

If it is the starter that is broken, they can be bought used for $50ish. If it is flooded it will cost nothing to fix.

Good luck

 

Be prepaired though.....

First thing they'll tell you is that you have no compression and you need a new motor. This is only half true - you might have no compression, but that's only because the car is so flooded. (If that is indeed the problem.) If they tell you your motor is blown, you'll need another opinion (or 2).

How mechanically inclined are you? Do you have any tools? Do you have enough confidence to remove a spark plug or two? I understand if you don't, it can be pretty intimidating under the hood if you have never worked on a car before!

If you do feel confident enough to remove the plugs, pull one or two just to see if they are all wet. Have you posted in the North West forum looking for help? I'm surprised no one nearby has offered to take a look at it.

 

Good call Crawling under a 3-ton car is rather nerve-wrecking the very first time, plus wrestling with over-torqued bolts- Of course, now I don't give it a second thought.

 

Where area of Portland do you live in. I hardly have anytime, but if you close I might be able to come up, but I am in beaverton.