I was driving spirited, and I took a turn at like 45 50 mph (late at night with D.Sc. off) there were no cars at all. Well, after I got around the apex my engine light flickered and now its on. I checked the oil and it was in the middle of low and high mark. I also checked the gas cap and that a negative its not the gas cap. My whole problem is I cant take the car in till Thursday since IM in school on Tuesday 1-5 and weds 1-10. SO when I bring my car in I will also get my 12,000 miles check up.

Probably Misfire, it has happened to others

Now i know misfires are bad do u think it could have damaged the engine or the ecu just needs to be cleared

From what I know, a misfire happens when the sparkplugs fail to light the mixture. I don't think it does anything bad to the engine, it just pumps out unburned fuel. I believe that because of the super rich mixture in the high rpm range of US RX-8's (10:1), they are more prone to misfires, plug fouling and therefore flooding. You just need to get the ECU cleared and check your sparkplugs.

I had the cel light come on once during spirited playing on a huge empty parking lot (one they hold autocrosses on). It scared the heck out of me. I didn't count how many starts it was before it went off, but it wasn't until the next day and I was driving it often as I could so maybe 10-12 starts.

My CE light came on as I was doing 95 on the PA turnpike, acellerating to pass in 5th gear. It stopped pulling like it was at redline, but was nowhere close.. look down, flashing CE light.

Misfire code, plugs replaced. But I have no idea if they put in the "hot" plugs or not. Don't think I'd need them as I don't baby this car ;)

Check this service bulletin off Rosenthal's site:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/01_027_03.htm

That service bulletin is for the oil pan replacement, which is related to the oil light coming on. These guys are talking about the check engine light (CEL), it's different.

Picked up my RX-8 today from the service department, after I threw my 1st CEL.

I don't know what code it gave them, but it suggested checking the O2 readings, connections to the catalytic converter, and the eccentric shaft sensor. After those showed OK, Mazda USA told them to reprogram the PCM.

I had a similar thing happen while driving somewhat quickly. It hit about 7000 and then just dropped right off. Thought I busted something but it went off after a few minutes and then read the manual and it said that if you are low in fuel, the check engine will occasionally come on and I was near empty. Don't know if this scenario is the same, but something to keep in mind anyways.

it went away for a day thanm came back when i took a turn at 30mph it went back on. Also my dealer said mazda will be comming out with another ecu reflash in a about a month, that will improve Mpg and fix the little bugs

My CEL came on last Friday while running some errands. I took it in to the dealer since I was pretty close and they had it most of the day (too many other cars needed the diagnostic computer). They gave me a rental Mazda 6 (cool) and I got the RX-8 back before they closed that night. The tech said they had to reflash the ECU and there was a fuel setting (I can't remember which one) which was supposed to be between 0 and 8 and mine was at 8.67 (or something) and that's what triggered the CEL. After the fix the reading was 0.2. My service mgr said that if the CEL comes on and stays on solid, don't panic. Bring the car in, but it's still OK to use it for a few days until you can schedule the appointment. If the CEL comes on and starts flashing, SHUT THE CAR OFF and have it TOWED.

My solid CEL was diagnosed as throwing a "CEL Code 420". After the 1st full day of the PCM reflash, there have been no other issues.

My light came on about 2 months ago, when I took it to the dealership, the technician told me that will be a problem with this cars since they have a computer upgrade. They upgraded the computer when I took it in and haven't got any problems since them.

RX8Power

eclps0,
How about a little more info on what the dealer said about an ECU re-program to "improve mpg and fix little things". Any more details, has anybody else heard this?

I guess that means you need a new engine :p

i hope i can get my car back for tommrow, for teh big meet at towers. they also said tehy cant fix my engine light since they are waiting for the new ecu reflash.

Mine came on at about 1,400 miles, while I was at 7K in second gear. It flashed at me and I immediately dropped it into sixth and cruised down the road. It then just went away, and has since to return in 600 miles of driving. I will be taking it in on Saturday to get it's first oil change and have them see which code it threw. I will post the findings when I have them.

Hi. Decided to delurk to report on my own problem with CELs. Mine came on Monday at exactly 600 miles. Took it to the dealer (Roger Beasley Mazda North here in Austin) and they replaced the evap pump. Three days later - today - the CEL came on again. Just called the service guy, who expressed puzzlement and said it threw only one code, that was for the pump, so that's all they dealt with. I'm taking it in again on Monday; maybe they'll fix it for good this time. Any suggestions as to what might be going on? I checked the gas cap - it's on tight - and all I can think of to say about what I was doing when the CELs came on was that I was accelerating - but not doing anything too outrageous. I assume they considered a misfire and checked the plugs, but maybe not. Is that the sort of thing that the computer would report?

I have had a chronic CEL since roughly 1200 miles now just above 4300. Dealer said it was an engine misfire code, but that the computer error log (what?) didn't post a corresponding engine misfire. Service guy also told me about the forthcoming ECU flash to resolve the problem (what was the problem again?) I am skeptical to say the least. I am going in for an oil change and another round of diagnostic on the CEL this weekend. Hopefully I will know something more definitive after that visit. I'll post anything I find out.

F_m

I am also interested in this information about improved mileage and lil' things

Mine was reflashed at my first oil change, service saying it was due on my car....though they never gave me the specifics. I would imagine that they don't even know. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty confident they have no idea what the reflash is about seeing as though they don't even know what grade oil goes in the RX-8 to begin with.

Originally posted by oosik
As a matter of fact, I'm pretty confident they have no idea what the reflash is about seeing as though they don't even know what grade oil goes in the RX-8 to begin with.

Scary!!

i have had three occasions now of my check engine light coming on, two of which have also come with the oil light flashing on as well. already had the oil pan replacement done on the first flash. the dealer told me when they were updating the program this time i was down a quart and a half of oil. i have read about the ce light coming on in other posts but are any of you having the oil problems i seem to be having or am i alone on this one?

they said there computer is down and cant fix my engine light but they replaced my oil pan. NOw with the breaks this is for everyone if you drive your car agressively and heat up teh rotors they will glaze and turn a blue tint. This happened to me and they have to replcae them ( NOT UNDER WARRENTY) i just passed the warrenty mark on breaks and rotors 47 miles. This is bullsh!t. i have past records complaining about this but now they say they found its the rotors. When before tehy said its normal. I just want my car back i will bitch at them tommrow. Just telling you guys dont heat up your rotors to much beacuse they wont fix them under warrenty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mine came on today too - the low fuel light had been on for a while. I'm assuming it's emissions-related. If there is a reflash to take care of it, I'll definitely take it in. I've also been having what sounds like a creaking suspension noise towards the left-front wheel.

CEL turned out to be engine misfire. They gave me new plugs and started to instruct me on how to avoid flooding my engine. I told the guy I new about the potential for flooding and am very cautious about this. Asked him what else could be causing this and he couldn't give me an answer. Didn't get the flash update, because "Mazda won't let us flash unless a service bulletin instructs or recall necessitates." quite different from the "... we flash whenever you bring your car in and it isn't up to the latest firmware" I got the first time I took it in. Delearship is under new management and despite the weird CEL issue, I still have faith in the service guys although the sales staff could use an overhaul.

Sorry for the ramble.

F_m

Originally posted by khoney
Mine came on today too - the low fuel light had been on for a while. I'm assuming it's emissions-related. If there is a reflash to take care of it, I'll definitely take it in. I've also been having what sounds like a creaking suspension noise towards the left-front wheel.

My CEL turned back off yesterday. I was going to disconnect the battery when I got home, so it spared me the effort :)

I have a CEL on now too. The dealer told me there was a firmware upgrade for the ECU, but will have to check what codes are stored.

It goes in Tuesday, so I will know that night.

CEL came on again right at startup I am very irritated with this. I didn't flood my car and the only code it seems to set is misfire. I am running 93 and can not figure it out.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

My service mgr said that if the CEL comes on and stays on solid, don't panic. Bring the car in, but it's still OK to use it for a few days until you can schedule the appointment. If the CEL comes on and starts flashing, SHUT THE CAR OFF and have it TOWED.

What's the difference? My CEL came on (flashing) once for 15-20 sec under hard acceleration--between 6-7k RPM. The car seemed to be in "limp mode" for that brief time, but once it turned off, the car was fine. I want to know what circumstances warrant "turn the car off and have it towed."

My CEL came on again at about 1/4 tank. I wasn't doing anything in particular to cause it. SInce this was the 2nd time in less than 200 miles, I took it in. They pulled a P0420 code, which they told me was related to the catalytic converter. They also told me there was no ECU reflash available. So they basically did what I would've done - disconnect the battery to clear the KAM.

Is there or is there not an ECU reflash available? And is the 'misfire' code a P0420 code?

Originally posted by mdmaclean
I have a CEL on now too. The dealer told me there was a firmware upgrade for the ECU, but will have to check what codes are stored.

It goes in Tuesday, so I will know that night.

The dealer did the re-flash, so I suppose it was the thermostat code. I was driving on a very cold day (-29C), and had the car parked outside all day. The car was very cold.

I have said this on other sections of the forum but my engine light came on and it turns out the cat has gone...mazda guy asked me if I hadn't noticed the rattling noice of 'pieces of cat' in the exhaust..need a new one of those too...(3,500 miles, picked up in Dec 03)

Originally posted by Pillman
I have said this on other sections of the forum but my engine light came on and it turns out the cat has gone...mazda guy asked me if I hadn't noticed the rattling noice of 'pieces of cat' in the exhaust..need a new one of those too...(3,500 miles, picked up in Dec 03) I guess Mazdas detuning of the car due to emissions was for not, they created more problems than they originally had. They need to give us our 250 H.P. back as well as restoring the advertised MPG and replace the cat under warranty as needed!

Originally posted by Pillman
I have said this on other sections of the forum but my engine light came on and it turns out the cat has gone...mazda guy asked me if I hadn't noticed the rattling noice of 'pieces of cat' in the exhaust..need a new one of those too...(3,500 miles, picked up in Dec 03)

Just wondering if u had the CZ mod, 2 c if that had nething 2 do w/ it. I wonder if the reflash changes fuel/air mixtures also, prob not, just a bug fixer, mayb it will fix the engine flooding bug :) .

I've started getting an Engine Light on the Autobahn.... usually crusing at around 120 for at least 5 min then the CEL light blinks.... I slow down.... CEL goes away.... Bring the car to a german dealer and all they tell me is that the car isnt shelling out a fault code :( this sucks............

Got another CEL (3rd time), this time with 93 octane gas. I haven't had it checked - probably another cat inefficiency code (P0420). If this is Mazda's plan to train me to ignore a CEL, it's working. I don;t have the free time to run to the dealership every time a light comes on.

Ok, the CEL went off after about 5 restarts, and came on again about 100 miles later. I was just cruising on a flat road at about 55. THis is really starting to irritate me. It's probably another P0420 code. This is now 4 times in about 600 miles.

For those of you who have gotten codes, PLEASE POST THE NUMBER! A general description doesn't mean much if we are to try and see how prevalent each problem is.

I got an engine light took it in and i got my O2 sensor and CAT replaced. They said their was a build up of moisture.

My CEL came on the day I picked my 8 up. Took it in to the dealer, they pulled a P0420 code. Said it had something to do with the cat, but didn't seem to know much more beyond that. Took them four days to get a reflash done. First, they were waiting for some kind of software download from Mazda, then they couldn't figure out how to make their computer talk to my car...anyway, got it back today. Hoping this isn't a recurring problem, but reading this thread doesn't give me much hope :-)

Here's the text from the service invoice:
505 PCM REFLASH WARR. FOUND P0420 STORED IN PCM. REFLASH PCM FOR P0420. UPDATED TO LEVEL 'L'. PERFORMED DRIVE CYCLE AND CHECKED FOR DTC'S...NONE STORED AND/OR PENDING. CHECKED DRIVE MODE 6...PASS 80 @ .83, ALL OK AT THIS TIME.

I guess LEVEL 'L' must be a PCM firmware version indicator... Not sure what the "pass 80 @ .83" bit is about.

i also had the same thing,took mazda 1 day to download the new reflash to there computer and after the flash i have noticied a big diffrence in fuel mileage and accelaration.i have 16,000 miles and know the cars power and fuel consumption very well and this reflash has most definitly increased both,very happy.:D

I had my CEL come on today, first it started flashing, (slowly); it started to act like it wanted to go into into limp mode. I was cruising about 95 MPH or so, turning about 6k in fourth, I immediately up-shifted to 6th, which brought the RPM's down to around 4k. It stopped trying to go into limp mode, but the CEL stayed on. I'm scheduled to go in for a check of the throw-out bearing on Monday, so I'll have this looked at then. I have somewhat strange question... since I saw a couple of mentions in this thread about the O2 sensor, does anyone know if the fact that I live at 7200' above sea level - and have a lower level of oxygen, if that might be part of the reason for the CEL? I did have it filled up on fuel, and I checked the gas cap when I got home - it was tight.
Or am I barking up the wrong tree?:confused:

Seems like a reasonable tree to bark up to me. I once had a Jaguar that didn't like mountains -- CEL would come on after driving at altitude for a while.

But on the other hand, I wouldn't expect an O2 sensor fault to cause it to go into limp mode...

My 8 (11/03, 7k) threw the CEL Saturday, and its been started maybe thrice since then. This is my first OBDII car. Is there a way to get the indicator to blink like my 92 Explorer, or is a reader required?

Thanks.

Ok... here's what happened. Misfire due to engine being cold. Apparently, allowing 15 minutes to warm up, about ten minutes of stop and go driving isn't enough on a cold day to get the engine warmed up enough for a run down the ol' interstate. On the throw-out bearing question, the tech wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but said he'd keep an eye open for anyone else reporting the same problem... he's thinking the problem might be related to temperature. I can't think of anything to use to say BS to this, so... I'll go along for now.
Also, if anyone isn't already aware of this: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=253594#post253594
Check your VIN! No - the dealer didn't say anything about it when I was in earlier, and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, this was just issued (allegedly) today. I left the dealer at about 9:00 or so this morning, and they may not have had the info yet.

A month a go, CEL came on after driving about 10 miles, 65mph on I66. Dealer said it was cat inefficiency code (P0420) but they found nothing wrong. This morning, similar conditions, 25 F, half tank of gas, CEL again. I guess I'll take it in to be checked but anyone considering turning it off and waiting for a 2nd validation CEL before taking it in to be checked? Maybe I'll wait for the airbag recall to combine the issues and save a dealer dropoff.

Originally posted by eclps0
they said there computer is down and cant fix my engine light but they replaced my oil pan. NOw with the breaks this is for everyone if you drive your car agressively and heat up teh rotors they will glaze and turn a blue tint. This happened to me and they have to replcae them ( NOT UNDER WARRENTY) i just passed the warrenty mark on breaks and rotors 47 miles. This is bullsh!t. i have past records complaining about this but now they say they found its the rotors. When before tehy said its normal. I just want my car back i will bitch at them tommrow. Just telling you guys dont heat up your rotors to much beacuse they wont fix them under warrenty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What?????????
The rotors are not under warranty?????????

I think he might be talking about break rotors, like on your wheels. Not the rotors in the engine.

BRAKE!!!! Grade school English!

I see it mis-used more often than not around here...

Oh how funny!
I didn't catch that earlier.
HEHE!

Now I understand the warranty issue.

Picked up car on Monday - CEL light came on Friday at 332 miles total. I ran the first tank of gas to empty for verification of actual mileage per gallon (14mpg). I am disgusted and angry at the same time. Now I want my Chevy Truck back!!

I guess I should have gotten the gap insurance so I can drive this thing off a cliff.

Incidentally - they gave me an RX8 on Sunday to take home before mine was fully prepped and ready - and yes the CEL light was on in that car as well (it had under 100 miles).

First of all the CEL light is not causing damage. Second of all do you have an auto or manual. Third, the ecu has a learning phase up to about 600mi i believe, so that is when you will start getting the real gas milage. Mine was around 16, but ever since about 800mi I have been getting ove 20mi/g consistently. Also why do you need to fun your tank to empty for verification of acutal milage? You can just go and fill it up, count how many gallons you added, and divide the miles you went by the gallons added. If you top off your car then this works.

My car is the six speed manual. I certainly hope that my mileage will increase after a short break-in period. Also, I run the car on a full tank of gas to empy for verification so monitor actual variations in my driving conditions over a four day period. It wouldn't do any good to just do a couple of gallons when all mileage was highway for instance. So I wanted to know how it measured given both highway and around town mileage.

I still think that one tank is too small for a real reading. For example I got 29mi/g on my last tank in my highlander. I usually don't get over 24mi/g. One tank is too small, you will still get sampling error on it.

Procomp34:

Not very wise IMHO to run the car to empty - even today's fuel pumps do not like being run dry. The gas acts as an coolant for the fuel pump.

I've about 2700 miles on my RX-8 - my impression is that gas mileage has improved.

Going on a 400 mile trip in two weeks - I'll get a good idea of true highway mileage - I'll be on the 90 for over 600 miles.

John

Thanks Rotarian - I'll keep an eye on my fuel consumption. And RX8_GT I wasn't literal in running the car to empty. I still had at least a gallon and 1/2 in the tank.

The fuel consumption isn't really my problem as my last truck got around 10 mpg with the 40 inch tires and 8 inch lift kit.

I do have a major problem with the CEL coming on after only 300+ miles. Has anyone else had this happen so soon?

Originally posted by procomp34
I do have a major problem with the CEL coming on after only 300+ miles. Has anyone else had this happen so soon?
Hey, on our 2001 BMW 325 it came on in the first week. Something loose was tightened and car has run fine (except for defective radiator fan motors) ever since. Nowadays the newer the car, the more likely something very minor will trip it. See this thread --
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18887

CEL went on, I was doing about 40-45 range, and my oil light went off, I had just topped off the oil in the car last week and it was gone I had a gallon of oil (4 quarts I bought last week) and re filled it I keep going outside to see if I'm leaking which I don't believe I am the car's too new and I don't abuse the hell out of it, it went into limp mode and stayed there for a while until I hit 3rd and when I came to a stop at a light it limped along until I got into 2nd. I have an AT (yeah yeah car's missing the third pedal I know) and it's got just south of 3100 miles on it and I picked it up in late november. Any ideas? other thne demons in the car?

Check out this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19733&highlight=pcv). I checked mine, and I have the same problem with oil consumption. I'm getting it addressed next week when I have the recall work done.

Made it by the dealer yesterday about my CEL - they ran a diagnostic check and code 430 came up. They will need to replace my catalytic converter and that should make my gas mileage improve. My dealership was very friendly and handled the situation in a very pro-active manner.

It probably just means your car is due for an oil change.

If your MIL light is not flashing you shoud be safe to drive.
If flashing you have a misfire and could be damaging the cat.

Based on experience I believe their conclusion and advice re the same code will now change, due to MNA interpretation of the March 11 TSB (re flooding issues): FROM: replace the Catalytic converter. TO: Have the "L" reflash. They will likely clear the code and test drive; if CEL does not immediately reappear they will simply do the reflash. See steps 9-10,

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/01-011-04.htm