Fragyz

Hello everyone, i have just bought my first rx8 a few weeks ago, it is a blue 2004 5-speed manual. Me and my dad bought the car for about $5000, but it barely runs and will not go over about 25 mph. The CEL is on but it isn't giving us a code. I was wondering if anyone might know what might be wrong, and what are some basic things i will need to know about the car, thanks.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

have you use a code reader to try and pull the CEL info?
you mention it's a 5 speed manual. US version is a 6 speed manual. Or is yours an Automatic with the manual shift paddles?

It sounds to me like your vehicle has gone into 'limp mode', the RX-8 is designed to do this when certain system check parameters fail or it has a CEL that it sees as something vital and it limits rpm and speed in order to 'protect itself' so to speak.
Get down to Auto Zone or a local auto parts store ASAP and give us the code number or you can simply look up the codes info here once you have it.

ALL RX-8 CEL codes: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/rx-8-technical-info-cel-codes-pcm-pin-list-collision-guide-26291/

what else can you tell us about the car?
any modifications? any other lights illuminated on the dashboard? are any of them flashing?

Was the vehicle working fine when your dad bought it or was that part of the reason you only paid $5k.

mods: can we get this moved to the trouble shooting subforum?

Fragyz

Sorry i meant to say 6-speed, but,
Yes, the reason we bought it for only 5k is that it wasn't running right. There have been no modifications, and the CEL is the only light on.

It was Giving us a P0410 but we fixed the O2 sensor and then it stopped giving us a code but the CEL was still on and the car was still not running correctly

monchie

Did you buy this car as-is? If not, you could take it back were you bought it and have them check it out, if you have warranty on it. Anyway, get the new CEL read.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Reading failure Monchie. He posted the CEL in the prior post, so why are you telling him to get the CEL read?

Read more, post less.

Next time you try driving it and it's not accelerating, give it a few moments of trying, then stop and hop out of the car, look underneath, center of the car. Look for the cat and the O2 sensor in the side of it (on the driver's side). If you can see any glowing red at all (even if really faint), your cat is clogged. Continuing to drive it could result in a fire (we have lost RX-8s to this), and additional severe damage. Dealers will tell you "oh the cat is fine because it's not throwing a code", but most of the time, cat failure from clogging won't throw a code on our cars.

This is my gut feeling that your problem is. I could still be wrong though. Let us know if you aren't seeing that.

RXeligion

Does this car have fewer than 100K miles on it? If so - take it to a dealer! It could result in Mazda buying you a new motor. Its only available to 04's (I'm pretty sure) so not everyone thinks about it straight away. I would recommend testing compression if you want to figure this out yourself. The cat IS a usual suspect, though...

Wingznut

iTrader: (1)

Looking for a clogged catalytic converter is an excellent suggestion... That would certainly cause a lack of power issue.

Even still, it is quite odd that your CEL is on, but you are unable to pull a code. Makes me wonder if there is an ECU problem. Here is a procedure to reset it. Might want to give that a shot.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The 8yr 100,000 mile engine warranty covers every single year of RX-8s, not just 2004s. This includes the series 2 cars.

monchie

There you go. So, don't tell me what to do and what not to do...okay!

RXeligion

I stand corrected and can sign off for the night a bit wiser... Thanks RIWWP

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Highlight the few words before that....

Fragyz

Thank you guys. i will definitely try these solutions and get back to you on what i find out

pistonhater

sounds like the purchase of the car was quite "risky" to begin with!!!

I second the opinion of taking the car to the dealer for a diagnostic test. All Mazda service centers should have at least one tech on staff that has additional training to deal with rotaries. If they don't have one, they'll bring one from a different dealer. At least that's how they do it here where I live. My local Mazda said they don't even allow the other techs near the RX-8s, LOL - unless it's something simple like an oil change, etc.

Best case scenario: the dealer finds you need a new engine, and they give you a new engine. From what I've read on the forums, you would still have to pay for all other expenses involving the engine swap (fluid changes, wires, etc.)

Worse case scenario: your engine is fine but you have tons of other things wrong with the car. At least the dealer should be able to "properly" diagnose the problem. They would charge you for the diagnostic test only - in case you decide to fix the car yourself.

Good luck!