just bought my first wankel
 

I've always wanted an FC as a drift car, so i bought myself a 1987 gxl that's completely stock but not running. it's been sitting for about 7 years in a garage so it's safe to assume the fuel is stale and there's various issues with the car. I'm a seasoned mechanic but I wanted to get some input from a rotary specific forum to see if I'm missing anything here. I've got spark, the starter will turn the motor if i jump 12v to the solenoid. when I put the key on acc the lights and accessories work, but when i turn to start the car nothing happens. also I don't hear the fuel pump kicking on. I tried to jump the pump but it seems the pressure is variable because there are 4 wires on the pump so i'm pissing in the wind there.This engine and car seems relatively simple, but I am assuming there is maybe a factory alarm or something that's been tampered with maybe even corroded from sitting. I'm pretty stuck where I'm at before I give up and start running toggle switches to the electrical components. also my headlights popped up and won't go down. how can i jump the fuel pump? why am i not getting 12v to the starter solenoid? (there are no broken wires anywhere i looked up and down it has to be computer related) why am i not getting voltage anywhere on the fuel pump wires when i turn the key to acc? any input, of course, greatly appreciated.

Re: just bought my first wankel
 

I'm not sure about your fuel pump issue but about getting 12 volts to the starter to turn the engine over... Start by cleaning the ground on the starter wire bolted to the strut tower on the driver side of the car. If you have P/S and A/C it'll be a tight squeeze. That ground is known to cause problems like yours. It sticks into the wheel well letting water and grime ruin the ground over time. Clean the ground and replace the bolt and try to clean as many grounds as you can. Go to the starter wires at the starter and clean the terminals. Look for the starter ground on the block (it should be on the drivers side and bolted to the engine by the long starter bolt) and clean that too. Since you are a mechanic I'm sure you know that bad ground lead to low voltage. If the grounds are dirty/bad the voltage will be low running to the starter solenoid and not enough to allow it to kick over to turn the starter. If the grounds are good your solenoid is bad.