Senna

So less than a week after I drive the car home the dealer calls to tell me there's a recall for my car they need to take care of?

After several attempts to get back to them the guy tells me it's a "no start" issue and they need to check the plugs and compression.

I've checked Rosenthal's list of recalls and they have the "no start" recall listed for model years 2004-05.

Guess Mazda didn't get this resolved before mine got built-February 2006.

Anyone else with '06's experience any problems with no start?

I'm considering not taking it in at this point. The car runs great and I've had no problems at all starting the car. I'm afraid they'll try to fix one problem and create another.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

mysql101

TSB is entirely different than a recall.

Senna

Thanks...I was just using his terminology.

mysql101

do you know if you have the upgraded starter? If you don't, the upgrade is well worth it. Otherwise going in for this is a waste of time.

Senna

No, I don't know. I'll have to check into it. Any idea as to how I would know? I'm leary of what they might do if I take it in...

mysql101

it would be difficult to explain. The new starter has more torque and spins over faster. You wouldn't be able to tell since this is your first RX-8.

Zoom49

Most likely they just forgot to install the new plugs and do the cranking test that is now required before delivery of any new 2006.

Senna

That might explain the box of four NGK plugs I found in the glove box???

Senna

Without a point of reference mind you...from what I can tell it sounds like it spins plenty fast.

Anyone else find 4 plugs in their glove box upon receiving the car??

Rhawb

If it sounds kind of like it's struggling to start the car up, you have the original starter - it's definitely more lethargic than normal starters. The replacement will crank just like a normal car, if not a bit stronger.

Zoom49

Your 2006 allready has the new faster starter. You just need the new plugs installed and the dealer to fill out his paperwork, He just forgot to perform this
requirement.

mysql101

even with the new starter, you can have times when the car turns over for a few seconds before starting up. I've only had it happen once since the upgrade, but it can happen.

Aseras

wait a while and save yourself $120 for a new set of plugs....

soldano

yes i found them in the glove box as well and am also wondering about this tsb...

snizzle

Guys, how can I tell if I have the old starter?

I've got a 2004 model and it does have to crank unusually long sometimes. It does start every time though.

Zoom49

Here is the TSB info on Mazda changing plugs on 2006 RX-8 at delivery.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...86#post1329286

"Guys, how can I tell if I have the old starter?"
I believe that all RX-8 built before 5/2005 have old starter. New faster starter makes a big difference in cranking speed even if you did not have flooding issues.

soldano

as a follow-up to finding spark plugs in the glove box, it looks like our dealers failed to perform the final quality inspection at the time of delivery. depending on how long you've had the car and how it's running, you could schedule a post-delivery FQI with the dealer, call mazda for guidance or just hold onto the extra spark plugs as somebody else suggested.

alfy28

Has nothing to do with the topic, but i love the Ayrton Senna avatar.

msrecant

The dates the flooding updates went into production are:

- Updated Engine Control Unit firmware often referred to as an ECU or PCM flash. The exact level (M, N, etc) doesn't matter, you just want them to update you car to the latest level. If you have had all the RX-8 recalls done then this has been done.

- 640 CCA battery. Comes standard on all RX-8s built after 6/1/2004.

- Upgraded starter. Comes standard on all RX-8s built after 12/1/2004.

- Improved leading spark plugs. Comes standard on all RX-8s built after 3/22/2005.

- 3/8/2006 they updated the Dealer pre-delivery procedure to include checking the battery charge level and unconditionally replacing the spark plugs.

Go48

Well, if you want to crawl under your car and check the numbers see the attached image. The upgraded starter motor is longer and has an "A" following the original part number.

Smoker

msrecant, Go48, dudes you guys are awesome. Those are some killer info. Thanks a lot.

ucfracerx8

They (being the dealer) is supposed to install new spark plugs prior to delivery. I believe that they are not supposed to do so until they do final prep on the car as the idea is to give the owner fresh spark plugs and the ones that are in the car when it comes off the truck and used to move the car around the lot are removed and discarded??? Sent back to Mazda??? Who knows. I believe BunnyGirl said she had to wait longer for her car so the dealer could do this. Maybe she has more information.

BunnyGirl

Yeah. My "prep time" took a little longer than expected partly because they didn't remember at the time that they had to change out the plugs and do a battery test as well before I could have it. I also had "issues" with parts unavailability when it was at port so it sat there two weeks longer than originally intended. Then after it was unloaded and unpacked they were prepping it and I got a call to change the time of my appointment to sign the paperwork from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. since they said 06s required additional prep time for a few extra steps added including changing out the plugs and testing the battery. When I got there they took me into the shop and the guy was just finishing up on my car getting all the sticky stuff and dust off.

Go48

Glad to help.

voodooray

My dealer handed me the spark plugs when I picked up the car and said change them at around 1500 miles...which happens to be now, damn the miles clock up fast..I need to stop making up excuses to drive it :D