Hello everyone, I am new here and new to rotary engine. Not sure if this is the right place to post this. However, I desperately need help. I have a 2006 RX-8 which will not start. I went to start it one day before work and it started then shortly after, it just turns off. I go to start it again and it doesn't start. I had my father take a look at it and he came up with that it was the starter. So I got one at the nearest AutoZone which was easy to replace. After doing so, it still did not start. It almost sounds like a compression issue. Not really sure. I got a OBD2 Carista Tool. I went to run it and found nothing only to realize I had unhooked the battery when I changed the starter which reset any codes I had. So I am lost from here. I know my catalytic converter is clogged as I did get an error code a long while ago for that but not sure if thats it. Please help me. I cant afford mazda dealership and I can't afford to keep buying things I don't need.

 

The catalyst may not be clogged but even if it was it should still start. Did you try to deflood the engine? Is the car cranking over well with the new starter? Here is a guide that I follow to deflood the engine. If this does not work to start the car, we will have to dig deeper. Once you do get it started, take it to an exhaust shop to inspect your catalyst. A bad catalyst can kill the engine. If the deflood procedure doesn't work, your next step is removing spark plugs to inspect and possibly replace. If that doesn't work, you will need a compression test.

 

I have not, I will definitely try that out tomorrow. When I try to start all I hear is like a faint cranking but doesn't sound like enough to do anything.

 

It may be time for a new battery. Make sure it has at least 650 CCA ( cold cranking amps).
Is it getting fuel? Spark?
There is a YouTube video called Things to check if your RX8 won’t start. Check that out.

 

If you know your cat is bad, gut it or get a midpipe ASAP.
Do not drive it with a bad cat.

 

RX Beginner,

Diagnosis often ID.s little foxes rather than a silver bullet. Sounds like you may have minimally two issues:

1. If your starter is cranking weakly check a) battery + and - terminals for secure corrosion free connections, and b) your battery health. Try starting the car via a battery booster or jump from another car.
2.Bad cats kill ignition systems, i.e. coils, leads, & plugs. Bad ignition systems kill rotaries. So, SINCE you've already had some indication of a bad cat...as h/b said ...get it checked asap (i.e. as soon as you get it started).
3. Finally, unless checked &/or changed recently... check your ignition system: plugs, leads, coils. Replace ALL of any of these which fail test.

Again, your "issue" m/b some combination of these things. Just work thru the list...battery / starter connections..., battery..., de-flooding..., plugs..., leads..., coils. If you're still having issues... compression test.

All the best.

 

In my experience a battery on 8s last around 3 years.

If the battery is at all weak or won't hold a charge, replace it.

If it's flooded, it can be a little tricky to deflood it.
Ironically I had to buy a new battery and do it to mine this morning.

There are a couple of ways to do it, the owner's manual has one method. If you don't have one, there are a couple of DIY threads that can help.
This one worked for me:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...lumber-182410/


You'll also need to reset the DSC and NVRAM.
(20 brake pedal stomp)