'86 RX7 Rally Car

Chasing Magic Smoke
Spent all weekend on the wiring. Things I have found so far:
-Main fuse was (partially) bypassed (fixed)
-Horn had an extremely elaborate workaround involving a doorbell and no relay (removed, not fixed)
-Blower motor had workaround involving all current going through a sketchy RadioShack switch (not fixed)
-The harness that goes to the vent/fan controls and diagnostic panel is all kinds of berkeleyed up (brought to work to fix in free time)
-Broken wire behind fuse box (fixed)
-A number of other splices using duct tape (fixed)

So far, I have the lights/signals all working- blower motor, horn, pop-up motors, and diagnostic panel currently non-operational.

Fixing other peoples E36 M3'ty up wiring SUCKS!

Im glad your doing it though.

In reply to java230:

Yeah, it is definitely the least fun portion of these repairs so far.

Repairing the harness I brought to work today, I found a couple of swapped wires and a couple of broken half-assed splices, so hopefully I improved things a bit. I've still got 10 bonus wires that don't go anywhere, hoping they're for the radio- wiring diagram seems to indicate as much, with a couple of exceptions.

OK, so with the repaired dash harness back in, I now have functioning HVAC controls, and the blower motor relay clicks, but the blower motor won't run. Resistor?

Diagnostic lights and wipers still non-functional. Starter only cranks when ignition switch is bypassed, so I need a new ignition switch despite my best efforts at fixing this one.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: /snip Starter only cranks when ignition switch is bypassed, so I need a new ignition switch despite my best efforts at fixing this one.

Racecar button! come on!!

In reply to java230:

Maybe if the ignition switch I ordered is also broken. This car is not going to have locking doors, or a steering lock, so I'd kind of prefer a keyed ignition.

In reply to ¯_(ツ)_/¯:

No. Pushbutton. because reacecar!!

Had to stay late at work yesterday, but still managed to pop my new ignition switch in. The starter works consistently now and somehow so do the wipers!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: Had to stay late at work yesterday, but still managed to pop my new ignition switch in. The starter works consistently now and somehow so do the wipers!

Im mildly disappointed. But at least it works...

I know I'm late to the party but FERD TRERCTER GRER.

Also I feel like this is definitive proof that the windshield wipers on FCs are an anti-theft device

Progress has been at a standstill thanks to ESPR (AWESOME) and travel for work (LAME) but these showed up in the mail:

They look nice. What are they?

HotBits rally coilovers.

Brakes and clutch bled, ran the car for a while and changed the oil as well.

Wiring has me stumped. Gauges work, hazards work, headlights, brake lights, etc. Idiot lights are dead and the wiper control/turn signals work when they feel like it. Any RX7 gurus have any thoughts? I've been chasing wires all over the place and can't seem to locate the issue.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: Progress has been at a standstill thanks to ESPR (AWESOME) and travel for work (LAME) but these showed up in the mail:

I'm having a difficult time comprehending Chris Nonack purchasing high-end equipment for his rallycar, based on past precedent ;)

Looking good though. I think yours will probably beat mine to the stages unless I pick up the pace!

Even E36 M3ty dampers are expensive for the FC... I figured it was worth it to go a little higher end in this case. Plus, HotBits are cheap(ish) compared to most of the rally options.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: Even E36 M3ty dampers are expensive for the FC... I figured it was worth it to go a little higher end in this case. Plus, HotBits are cheap(ish) compared to most of the rally options.

Yeah, for mine they'll have to wait for a while. The build is gonna take my whole budget and then some, so will just be sticking with HDs and ground controls for the first few events and hopefully they'll hold up :)

Electrical update- left the battery attached overnight (ignition off) and it's completely dead this morning. Annoying, but maybe finding the draw will lead me to a solution to other problems as well.

I HATE electrical problems!!!

My Mark VII has also recently decided that it should drain the battery. HATE!!!!!

Anyway, best of luck with the electrical gremlin(s), your fortitude and determination so far have been inspirational.

aaaaaaaaaaaand the car's on the ground:

Why? Because the GF's 318ti has decided to leak coolant and gas, and I only have 4 jackstands. 3rd BMW I've owned, 3rd time saying NEVER AGAIN.

The wiper switch issue is a long standing issue with fc.

If you search a bit, they can be rebuilt. Some people will rebuild them for you for s fee.

Probably same issue with the turn signal switch.

think outside the box on electrical. I had a bad draw on my car a few years back and finally figured out it was the old (non-functional) power antenna motor in the trunk that was drawing at all times, even though it didn't work a lick. So could be something dumb like that.

In reply to irish44j:

Roger that, there are a large number of still unaccounted for "mystery wires" on this car which were painted blue when one of the POs painted the interior- although most aren't connected to anything, things like my long-dead headlight motors could be an issue.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

I'm sure that's something I can do myself, I'll look it up. Thanks!

Das Bavarian Krappenwagen no longer leaks, and the RX7 is back up in the air:

I somehow failed to notice the DTSS bushings were completely shot until I put the wheels on for the first time.