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2004 rx8 will not turn over

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Old 02-27-2017, 12:05 PM
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2004 rx8 will not turn over

I just bought a 2004 rx8 from a guy and when I turn the key the dash lights work but nothing else. Radio, seat adjustment, windows, etc. I've done a little research and it sounds to me that things can get pretty complicated in the order you do things with this car and how you do them. So I figure asking the professionals would be my best bet before I do anything at all. However I am on my way to purchase a chiltons manual to try to understand this car better. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Old 02-27-2017, 12:08 PM
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does it do anything at all? is the battery charged? clean and inspect the terminals
Old 02-27-2017, 12:36 PM
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Likely a battery, battery connection or fuse issue.
Old 02-27-2017, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Willyb
I just bought a 2004 rx8 from a guy and when I turn the key the dash lights work but nothing else. Radio, seat adjustment, windows, etc. I've done a little research and it sounds to me that things can get pretty complicated in the order you do things with this car and how you do them. So I figure asking the professionals would be my best bet before I do anything at all. However I am on my way to purchase a chiltons manual to try to understand this car better. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
There is no Chilton's manual for the RX-8, or Haynes, other than the Factory Service Manual (FSM). Google search for the FSM.

If there is a Chilton's I'd be keen on having one of those Unobtainium manuals.
Old 02-27-2017, 12:53 PM
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Chilton's shows a digital manual but I can't find a paper one.
Old 02-27-2017, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Willyb
I just bought a 2004 rx8 from a guy and when I turn the key the dash lights work but nothing else. Radio, seat adjustment, windows, etc. I've done a little research and it sounds to me that things can get pretty complicated in the order you do things with this car and how you do them. So I figure asking the professionals would be my best bet before I do anything at all. However I am on my way to purchase a chiltons manual to try to understand this car better. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Originally Posted by 200.mph
does it do anything at all? is the battery charged? clean and inspect the terminals
the lights on the dash come on when I turn the key. The wipers work but nothing else works. No clicking when I turn the key, radio won't come on, seats won't adjust, headlight, blinkers, hazards all work. Battery is fully charged. I only got one key from the guy and it's not a key with a chip in it. Could that be the problem?
Old 02-27-2017, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Willyb
the lights on the dash come on when I turn the key. The wipers work but nothing else works. No clicking when I turn the key, radio won't come on, seats won't adjust, headlight, blinkers, hazards all work. Battery is fully charged. I only got one key from the guy and it's not a key with a chip in it. Could that be the problem?

is the immobilizer light flashing on the dash?

you need a programmed key to get it to start
Old 03-01-2017, 05:44 AM
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Have you checked the fuse block for blown fuses? That's where I'd start and then I'd check to make sure all of the grounding points are clean and tight.
Old 03-06-2017, 09:01 AM
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Starting the Engine
• Starter
• Battery
• Engine Compression
• Grounding Wires
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors

and add fuses and the immobolizer feature of the smart keys to this list, as mentioned above by dannobre and mazdaverx7

Last edited by gwilliams6; 03-06-2017 at 09:03 AM.
Old 03-06-2017, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gwilliams6
Starting the Engine
• Starter
• Battery
• Engine Compression
• Grounding Wires
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Injectors

and add fuses and the immobolizer feature of the smart keys to this list, as mentioned above by dannobre and mazdaverx7
when I turn the key it does nothing. the dash lights, headlights, blinkers, wipers are the only thing that work. I was told possibly the Body Control Module may be at fault. I plugged a code reader into the port and it also does nothing. I don't even know for sure where the BCM is located.
Old 03-06-2017, 02:02 PM
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Did you already check all grounds. RX8s take a very healthy battery (cranking amps)and good grounds to start. A weak battery might be enough to turn the dash lights on, BUT is NOT enough juice to get the starter to turn over or move the power seats.. It is common fail point with these cars. An old battery, or even one that has sat a while (it will still drain from alarm system active and/or and any lights left on, like an ajar door or ajar trunk lid). Try jumping the car. An old battery, even charged up, but with old weak cells may fail to start the car. How old is the battery? They only last a couple years in these cars, on average.

If the battery is fresh, and it wont start, or even jump start,then it could be the starter, and/or some other electrical issue.

Last edited by gwilliams6; 03-06-2017 at 02:12 PM.
Old 03-19-2017, 10:10 PM
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I have charged the battery and even hooked jumper cables to my truck to give it more cranking. I bypassed the starter with a starter button so it turns over but still doesn't start. checked the fuses and only one fuse tests hot in the fuse box at the left kick panel inside the car, one row of fuses don't test hot under the hood in the fuse box next to the air cleaner. the fuse box cover shows where the main fuse is supposed to be located but there is no main fuse in the place where it is supposed to be, nor is there a spot for a fuse. So I have no clue where i'm supposed to check the main fuse. Sorry it's taken me so long to reply as I've been sick and haven't had a chance to get online to check my responses. I appreciate any advice I can get on this matter. Thanks




Old 03-24-2017, 01:08 PM
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Main fuse is on the side of the fuse box at the front left corner.....by where the wires attach
Old 03-29-2017, 01:50 AM
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found the main fuse thanks...checked it and it was blown. Put a new one in (obviously) and everything that wasn't working from the start started working except for the stereo and it still doesn't start. I tried the deflood thing, but it didn't work. I bought a spark tester and tested the spark.. 1 out of 4 showed spark. So i'm thinking maybe coils? Maybe a relay?
Old 04-26-2021, 12:36 PM
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I need help my car wont turn on and my alarm is going off

Hello i parked my Rx8 in my garge this winter and on one of the night it got to -52 C and my battery died, I then took the battery out of the car and brought it inside to charge. once i put the battery back inside the car and hooked up the battery I came to find my horn going off as well as the lights flashing and when i tried to start the car the lights on the dash wont light up and the car wont let me start it. has anyone else had this problem before and know what i could do to get it started?
Old 04-26-2021, 01:52 PM
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Did you disable the alarm with the remote?

Is the immobilizer light on?

Sounds like you tripped the security system



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