Dangrzne79

Hi everyone, I wanted to see if anyone can help me on this one... I got into my car this morning and turned the ignition and it hesitated, but then turned over but it is very rough sounding and theres no power when I step on the pedal. After a couple minutes the CEL comes on and flashes steadily. I'm wondering what this could be? I have an '04 6MT with 48k on it, the only issues its ever had was the flooding issue which was taken in and fixed at the dealership last year. The car was running great yesterday with no hint of a problem. Just wondering if it could be the engine or not and does anyone know if the warranty is still valid for an '04? Thanks alot.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

hey dangrzne,

flashing CEL usually signals an engine misfire. Common causes of that are bad ignition coils or spark plugs.
48,000 on original coils / plugs? If so, that could be your problem right there.

Ignition coils can be bought from www.finishlineperformance.com for about $25 each (you'll need for4) and if you're on the original plugs, might not be a bad idea to change those as well.

Dangrzne79

Thanks for the reply, the plugs were changed out when it was brought in for the TSB, so should be about 10k on those. I will try changing the coils and plug wires and see what happens. I appreciate the help!

Thumper3322

I just had the same problem. Also needed a new CAT. Get the upgraded coils from BHR.

Here is my post, might help u out.

https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/my-8-hesitation-question-159545/

Dangrzne79

I ordered new OEM coils and magnecor wires, they came in friday. I installed the coils so far, but when I removed the plug wires, I noticed there was a lot of rust/corrosion on one of the leading plugs so I ordered a new set of plugs and before I try starting it up I will wait for those to come in on tuesday and get those installed. Hopefully that was the problem. I wonder if some water may have gotten in there somehow?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i would bet that it was the lower plug toward the front of the car.. it happens a lot.. seems it comes loose..

beers

Dangrzne79

So I changed out the plugs, wires, and coils tonight and still the car will not start at all. Could this be some type of fuel problem? Fuel pump maybe? The car doesn't even want to turn over at all.

Thumper3322

Battery?? lol sounds like a starter if it won't turn over at all.

Dangrzne79

The starter motor turns but thats it. Just runs and runs, the engine doesn't start. I thought it might be flooded so I tried pulling the fuel injector fuse and turning the key for a few seconds and retrying it, but still nothing.

Thumper3322

Try the deflooding procedure, hold your foot to the floor, crank for 10 seconds, stop then try again. Maybe no spark from the new coils, plugs or wires! Might be worth taking it in and get the diagnoses on it, then just fix it yourself. Any CEL?

Dangrzne79

There was a CEL when it first had the problem... it just blinked though, no solid light. Started up and ran really rough and then I got a little scared and shut it off and now it hasn't been able to start since. After what I've been reading on here it seems as though it may be flooded, since it seemed to not get sufficient fuel burn and then shutting it down cold. I just hooked up the battery charger to give it some juice and I will try the de-flooding procedures again. Only other thing I noticed was the battery charger was reading 12.5 volts. Shouldn't it be somewhere in the 14 range? Could it be a bad battery? I have no way to try and push start it or jump start it with another car. (I'm in a townhome and the car is sitting in a cramped 1 car garage.)

Thumper3322

That is the same CEL prob I had, it was a misfire. Any smoke or gas smell? You could try taking off the cat, or at least loosening it so it can breath. Mine was melted pretty bad and so the exhaust fumes had no where to go. Got really bad gas smell cause the gas wasn't burning and some smoke. Really rough idle. If you take off the CAT and it still won't start, compression test would prob be next. Take it in! If it is the CAT since you already replaced the coils, wires and plugs, then that is covered under warranty up to 80,000 miles or 8 years. I'm still waiting on my coils so see if mine will be ok. Had the CAT done already, under warranty.

As for the battery, ya could have a higher volt reading, but as long as it is cranking it and doesn't sound to weak it should still start. Charge her up, do the deflooding and cross your fingers!!

Dangrzne79

Thanks for all the advice. I did smell gas initially, which reminded me of my '88 RX7 back in the day. That thing flooded all the time. Last time the 8 flooded, I had it taken to the dealer and they did all the TSBs on it at the time, this is the first issue I've had since then. I will let the battery charge for a while, but it seems like right now it barely runs for 5-7 seconds without dying and there seems to be a bit of corrosion on it. I will try charging it and if that doesn't work I will get a new battery anyway. After that, looks like it will be going to the dealer...

Thumper3322

np! what do you mean it runs 5-7 seconds before dying? Thought you said the car won't start? If it runs and dies it could also be alternator. Personally if you charge it and the car won't start, I wouldn't buy a new battery. Does your charger have a quick start? You could try that as well.

Dangrzne79

Sorry, I should have clarified, what I meant was the battery seems to die after 5-7 seconds and then I have to charge it up again. The car doesn't start at all. I did end up getting a new battery and installed it... retried the de-flooding method of putting my foot to the floor and running the starter for 10 seconds. After about 3 goes, the car seemed like it wanted to start and almost did, and smoke came out of the tailpipes. I seem to be getting somewhere but didn't have much time to mess with it, had to get to work. Will try some more when I get home.

Thumper3322

Ok ya bad battery! Good she's alive!! That's what mine did, it took awhile and she started really rough, but just let her run and she will work herself out. Personally once you get her running good again and up to normal temps, run the **** out of her. Make her HOT HOT HOT!! You don't want excess gas, carbon or whatever sitting in your CAT. Sounds like she will go now, just keep trying and make sure to let sit before cranks so you don't burn out the starter. GL!

Dangrzne79

So I couldn't wait to get off work to try to get this thing started up, so I went home on an extended lunch break and tinkered with it...I ended up pulling the fuel pump fuse AND relay just in case one was somehow allowing fuel in, ran the starter for 10 seconds 3-4 times, then put the fuse and relay back in and it started right up! I let it idle for a minute to make sure it wouldn't die and then took her for a drive. Runs great, the coils and plugs really must have been what was making it run like crap because its driving as good, if not better than it ever has. Thanks for all the help and advice, it really saved me from having to dump a bunch of needless money in the dealer's pocket. After all was said and done, here's what I put into it.... Coils $110, Spark plugs $80, Magnecor Wires $70, Battery $90, Battery charger $50. $400 isn't too bad considering the dealer wanted over $300 just to de-flood it!

Thumper3322

Couldn't wait LOL!! I hear that! Pulling those fuses pretty much does the same thing as the deflood. Doesn't allow fuel in and gets what is in there out. Good stuff!! Must be nice to have her back, I'm dying without mine That's an awesome price for all of that! New plugs/wires installed by the dealer is $700-800. I had it done before knowing anything about it. I got a good deal tho just over $400 since I was kinda dating a chick that worked there lol. That is nutz $300 for a de-flood. Fukin rip off!

Cheers, glad she is alive again!