In the last 2 days i have got a surge between 1500 and 2000rpm .

Normally on a cold start my car revs to 2100 rpm then slowly settles down to 1500 , then to 1200 then down to 900 rpm with no problems . ;)

The last 2 mornings i am seeing a swing between 2100rpm down to 1500 rpm then back up to 2100 rpm :eek: it does this several times and then finally settles down .

Theres no rough idling once i take off and car drives smoothly :cool:

Any one experience this ?? i have done 42,000km .

Maybe i need new spark plugs ??
bad cat sensor
Bad ignition coils
loose wiring

Any thoughts .

B....free
michael

I normally get one little surge like this on every start (see graph here http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=516006&postcount=22).

Seems to be the same problem on my car however it goes up and down between 2100RPM AND 1500RPM at leat 9 times before settling .

could it be a blocked fuel line / injector that clears after a certain time ??

B....free
michael

I get this, normally in the afternoon not the morning. But Lock, didnt you just install the pipercross filter?

Andrew

I get this, normally in the afternoon not the morning. But Lock, didnt you just install the pipercross filter?

Andrew

No i still have the stock filter in .

B...free
michael

I only get the initial surge you mentioned Lock.

i think it's normal, sometimes i get 1 surge and sometimes 2, no big deal. i think it just depends how the cold temperture is.

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm pretty happy to be getting any surges in the mornings!! :p :D :D :D

does the problem go away when you press the clutch?

If so the "In gear" or neutral switch is sticking. It will cause a rolling idle.


I think this could be it because if i put in reverse straight away it does not cause the rolling idle :cool:

Now how do i fix this ???

Worshop manual says for a slow return to idle check following .

.ECT sensor malfunction
The thermostat is stuck open
throttle body malfunction
Air leakage from intake air system .
Eccentric shaft bypass valve stuck open

However i feel youhave found the correct answer to my problem .

B...free
michael

"Cold start" in Surfers Paradise...ho ho

It was -11 in Walcha thismorning Lock, but they say the cold weather is coming in the next day or two!
Have enjoyed the discussion in your Duck thread very much.
jack

"Cold start" in Surfers Paradise...ho ho

It was -11 in Walcha thismorning Lock, but they say the cold weather is coming in the next day or two!
Have enjoyed the discussion in your Duck thread very much.
jack


:eek: i get cold when it drops to 15 , thats one of the reasons i left melbourne its wet and freezing .

Going overseas to the PHILLIPINES for the month of September partly bussiness but mostly R&R THE TEMPERATURE THERE WILL BE 29 /30 :)
The scuba diving on the island of MINDORO ,sabang beach puerto gallero , and i here the women are as hot as the weather :D

Glad you enjoyed my Duck thread its hard to get some of these guys to comment on controversial matters , so i was quite suprised that some actually came out and responded .

Hoping you and family are all well , are you coming to wakefield in october ??

B...free
michael

Unfortunately not doing Wakefield, Lock. Initially thought it was the long w'end, when half our friends from Sydney want to come to "spring in Walcha". Timbo corrected me, however the Nats weekend is the Forster-Tuncurry Golden Oldies rugby carnival, an event I have not missed in over a decade.
Might this be the year to break the mould?

..Might this be the year to break the mould?

You bet... We'll pick you up on the way through.. :D Are you closer to Brisbane or Sydney?

I get a surge like you're describing pretty much every cold morning........ it's normally 6-8 degrees ambient when I fire it up in the morning.

You bet... We'll pick you up on the way through.. :D Are you closer to Brisbane or Sydney?


Myself and the Hymster meet up with Jack and his lovely wife last time , we went to Wakefield it was :cool:

B...free
michael

We rendezvoused with Jax and Mrs Jax just north of Newcastle. Closer to Sydney than Brisbane.

If Mr Jax can't make it, then perhaps Mrs. Jax can have the car for the weekend and join us at Wakefield? :) It's only football after all.. :D

Ditto on the cold weather.......bollocks

Yep get the old cold morning jiggle occasionally to. Especially if I roll backward on idle while it's warming, driveway has a slope and I swing around. Tend to get a small double surge.

So what was the conclusion with this?

I get what I believe you are getting but only in the afternoons. I cant believe its the temp as its generaly about 5-10 degrees warmer in the arvo atm.

I have some Video showing this but cant get it up until tomorrow.

Andrew

I think he is going to put a heater in the garage before he starts his car ;) :D

So what was the conclusion with this?



Andrew

The gear selector seems to be stuck upon cold starts causing this problem so
Keeping your foot on the clucth on cold starts wont give the rolling surge , as the gear selector is disengaged .

As to a more permenant fix i am still waiting for an answer .



B....free

Michael

Hmmm.. Not sure what gear selector stuck really means.. Is the spigot bearing dry when it is cold and this is still turning the main shaft of the gear box??? :confused:

Surely, the drag on the main shaft of the gearbox of a car in neutral would not cause this??? :confused:

Very strange, but is it really a problem??? Are we worried that in the longer term that it will lead to a stall on cold start problem?? :eek:

The gear selector seems to be stuck upon cold starts causing this problem so
Keeping your foot on the clucth on cold starts wont give the rolling surge , as the gear selector is disengaged .

As to a more permenant fix i am still waiting for an answer .
l

This makes no sense :confused: Do you mean you cannot budge the gearstick, which has been left in gear, so that when starting the car you have to press the clutch? (In which case, you need to have your gearbox examined) Gear position or selection should not affect the cold start program, although whether the clutch is engaged or not may, as it will be a load factor taken into account by the program.

More importantly, I have more, colder cold starts...and I don't have this surging problem. Just the initial high idle, as previously discussed.

OK lets be more precise i am led to believe that the "in gear "or neutral switch is sticking ....causing this rolling idle situation on cold starts .

B...free
michael

OK I want to check that this is the same problem.

htp://rx-8.harrisfamily.id.au/ColdStart.wmv (8Mb)

First part is the morning. Ambient Temp was 10 deg, I got in the car, didnt clutch, didnt move gearstick.

Second is at 7pm at night and amb read 17 deg. This time, before I started, I clutch, checked it was in Nuetral by moving gearstick left->right.

Sorry for the quality.

Personally I dont think this is a problem, its just bizzare. The first time I though something was wrong, but it happens so often its obviously something the car just does. I am just curious what it is.

Andrew

auzoom ... Looks similar to what I get every start... see the link to an RPM graph in my first post in this thread

Yeah, see now it gets wierder as I only get it in the afternoon.

Andrew

Lock, how is the resolution of this problem going? Or is the dealer playing hard because of your Canzoomer unit?

Lock, how is the resolution of this problem going? Or is the dealer playing hard because of your Canzoomer unit?
I am sure they will not find it. Lock probably hide it under his pants to boost "his performance" :p oops :o

Lock, how is the resolution of this problem going? Or is the dealer playing hard because of your Canzoomer unit?

When i spoke to the dealer he didnt have a clue as to what the problem may be , he kept on saying its a bad batch of petrol, what a lot of BS .

We know what the problem is the "in gear "or neutral switch is sticking ....causing this rolling idle situation on cold starts .


Keeping the clucth in on the cold starts overcomes the problem .

The forum member who gave me the heads up on the problem so far wont give me the answer to the solution on how to solve the sticking of the neutral stick , because i will not adhere to his condition of not signing of my call as B...free for one week :p

As you all know i can be a stuborn bastard and i wont give in to blackmail , he can stick his solution if he truly knows it far up his arse :D

One of the guys at the dealership drove my car and was smiling from ear to ear he loved the difference theCZ unit and the short shifter made :)

B.....free
michael

I am sure they will not find it. Lock probably hide it under his pants to boost "his performance" :p oops :o


Taka

I have 3 healthy SONS :cool: to carry on my family name :D ;) and a great track record so i know my performance is more than adequate :D :p :)

You only have 1 Daughter :)


B...free
michael

\The forum member who gave me the heads up on the problem so far wont give me the answer to the solution on how to solve the sticking of the neutral stick , because i will not adhere to his condition of not signing of my call as B...free for one week :p


I say out the person so we all know who is holding back on helping other people.

Andrew

I agree - that is just stupid stuff.

How you choose to sign off is your business.

Name him and shame him Michael.

I agree - that is just stupid stuff.

How you choose to sign off is your business.

Name him and shame him Michael.

OK HERES THE THREAD

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=66728

The last part of his call sign aptly describes him :D

B...free
michael

Taka

I have 3 healthy SONS :cool: to carry on my family name :D ;) and a great track record so i know my performance is more than adequate :D :p :)

You only have 1 Daughter :)


B...free
michael


Cheez, after all this time we still haven't got over this male superiority crap have we? And we go on about primitive tribal beliefs in other countries, so what's the difference? Looks like we're not so different after all.

Sorry Michael - I don't get it. :confused:

Sounds like he was just having a gag with you. Has there been PMs exchanged 'cause there's been no response from him on that thread?

Anyways - you gave in to his demands! :p :D

Sorry Michael - I don't get it. :confused:

Sounds like he was just having a gag with you. Has there been PMs exchanged 'cause there's been no response from him on that thread?

Anyways - you gave in to his demands! :p :D


No i havent heard from him , but Gomez seems to think that Australian cars are different in that we dont have the same set up as them . :confused:

B...free
michael

Did you get the switch replaced? The clutch/starter interlock switch is attached to the clutch pedal. The switch that causes the rolling idle is a two wire (blue/red and black/blue) detent style that screws into the top left of the tranny case. The switch is on page B-1f of the diagrams.

I wasn't jerking you off Michael..I just thought you understood I meant to replace it.

It won't happen again.

Did you get the switch replaced? The clutch/starter interlock switch is attached to the clutch pedal. The switch that causes the rolling idle is a two wire (blue/red and black/blue) detent style that screws into the top left of the tranny case. The switch is on page B-1f of the diagrams.

I wasn't jerking you off Michael..I just thought you understood I meant to replace it.

It won't happen again.

Going to see them on monday i have downloaded the relevant detailsof the clucth /starter interlock switch from the RX8 MANUAL :cool: , with the relevant diagrams and instructions on how to replace it :)

Glad to see that your NOT a mugg after all :p ;) :D


B...free
michael

I'm glad we worked this out..

Now I can sleep at night.

B...cool

:p

I had been in over east ( live in perth ) came home and my wife said the car wouldnt start -
tried at about midnight . It would turn over slowly but not start. Rang mazdat the next day and they sent someone out to look and susequently towed the car in. This was the second time this had happened - first abiut 12 months ago (winter). Any way 3 days later I got my car back new starter motor and not a lot of information. changed the plugs to hotter ones. I had changed the battery about 2 weeks before and they were going to do that as well until I said it was new ( better than the std unit).
I vev read with interest comments onthis site before and maybe someone could letme know more
By the way it appesr to be reving hgher initially and the power feel seems to be different
Ive yet to be on an open road to see iftheer are any changes to the feel at hhg speed and I have not checked the fuel consumtion.
the comments passed inthis forum see]mto have been precurses

Flick, Welcome

Sounds like flooding to me, since the starter motor and a flash to ECU is the common prescription to this problem.

I think if you have those change and remember to warm up the car before shutting or doing 3000rpm for 10 second before shutting a cold engine - that will prevent a 3rd unscheduled pit stop at Mazda ;)

I mentioned my flooding problem at my 40k service last week. I have been informed by my Mazda dealer that the appropriate parts have been ordered and that I would be contacted to make a time for installation.

BTW, I faxed the advice of the flooding problem in advance of my service. I presume the dealer's warranty manager had to give his approval before the warranty claim could proceed.

Being in business, I always have a written record of any problem like this, and I can only suggest that timely written advice of problems written in a calm, polite and objective manner is the way to go.

This whole cold start flooding problem is interesting to me because I've mistakenly done the usual things on the nono list a couple of times and not had a problem (e.g. moving the car a short way to wash it and forgetting to give it a quick rev before switching off).

From memory, most of the guys who have had this problem seem to have older cars (i.e. 2003 models). Is that right? If so, I wonder if the earlier cars are more susceptible to this kind of thing, even after the 'patch' fix? :confused:

Mine is a 2004 model.

I suspect that it might have something to do with the ageing of the batteries. I have been noticing over the past few months (even in warmer conditions) that crank times have become longer and slower. On Saturday, I returned from lunch and left it in the driveway to wash it. I didn't start it up until we went out that evening. It took quite a few turns to spin it over, and I thought we might have a problem. Starts yesterday and today weren't quick either.

So my hypothesis is that if your battery has sufficient grunt to give the motor a good spin, the cold start problem is much less likely to be apparent, although the underlying reasons are still there.

Well recently the Melbourne weather becoming very cold in the morning.

My car starts very easily but there is a sharp noise like a squeal from the engine. Only once - sounds like knocking or something, that the car feel like dying and something is preventing it.

It never stall, have a light or flow any DTC codes. So I am ignoring it. Should I tell Mazda guys about it?

BTW it happened last winter too. It does not occur when the weather is warm or my wife is talking when I start the engine :D

Pardon my ignorance but shouldn't car batteries last longer than 2 years?

Could it be that either the standard battery is inadequate for the power demands of the car or perhaps the electrical system is inefficient? :confused:

Would be interested to know if it is a teething problem in the early cars that was sorted at the factory for later cars.

I wonder if his trunk is shut?

Edit...boot

Revolver, you're probably right concerning battery life. If battery capacity is inadequate and power demands are high, then it is likely that battery life will be reduced. I think that Mazda recognize this in that the fixit pack contains a new (and presumably larger capacity) battery, more powerful starter motor and hotter plugs. Whether these parts are included in the 2004 builds, I wouldn't know.

And as you can see other places on this site, inadequate batteries requiring Mazda upgrades has been a big issue for North American RX8 owners. Seems that most manufacturers supply minimal batteries as original equipment and hope to survive the warranty period. :mad:

The replacement battery contains more "grunt", not necessarily extending its life over the original but it has the ability to supply more current on cranking. This is required as the new starter motor is larger and will draw more current whilst running (cranking the engine).

Mine's booked in for Thursday week for the upgrade.

we just recently had 22below Celsius and I have experienced some very strange problems with my rx-8. It didn't start at all at first. There was no battery problem, but it happend to me during summer too. the electrical engine is very slow and the car always has a very idle start. so the other day i had to call in some friends and push-start the car. it did start and after that i had flames coming out my exhaust for about 20 seconds. i even filmed it. then the rpm was going from 2500 to 4000 then lower and lower for about 10 minutes untill it settled at around 1500. strange stuff... and after that the check engine lamp staied on. i shut down the engine after a while and started it again. lamp still on. today the lamp is still on. do you guys know what might have happend because the guys that do the service in my city are just total idiots and i'd much rather ask anyone else but them.

Only time I have heard about flames was when people had flooded. When this happened most people were worried about cat failure. To reset the engine light you can try the 20 sec brake pedal tap thing, but you may not wantto do that as I am not sure what is saved and what isnt. Safest bet is to get it back to bazda and at least get he engine codes, then you have a better chance of people explaining what the car is complaining about.

Andrew

Sounds like you have a cooked catalyst (and maybe O2 sensor). When the engine floods and you try to start it unsuccessfully the cat fills with fuel. When you finally get it started that fuel ignites and generates a lot of heat. I've heard of glowing red cats when trying to restart flooded engines, which is not good for the ceramic catalyst.

Take your car back to Mazda and insist on the upgraded starter package (which gives you a bigger battery and a faster starter motor).

You should probably post this in the general issues forum.. you'll get more noticed there.

Sco, just for information, if you do the brake ecu reset, what is kept and lost as far as engine light codes?

Andrew

The codes and the "Freeze Frame" data are cleared (lost)

Wasn't some guy also saying you could get flames by idling at high revs for a period, switching off and then switching on again ( :icon5: or something like that)? I remember there were a number of guys trying to replicate it because they thought the whole flame thing looked cool. :uhh:

From memory, the footage of the flames was also shot in snowy conditions? :scratchhe

Coincidence?

Otherwise, what they said. Since getting the upgraded plugs, battery and starter motor I haven't had any problems whatsoever :fingersx: . Mind you, it hasn't hit 22 below in Sydney! :SHOCKED:

Hymee, I dont understand how I was able to do the brake ecu reset when I was at Winton and spun and have the service people tell me what the codes were a few days later?

Cheers

Andrew