I have had my RX-8 for a year and have specific issues I would like to discuss but am unable to post in any of the issue specific forums! I am a member on several other forums related to other vehicles I own (Ford Superduty, Miata, Porsche, Jeep, etc) and have never run into this limitation on any of them.

 

10 posts and 30 days requirement to make a new thread was put in place a few years back when we had a bad spambot problem here.
ask someone on the moderation team for help

 

Well this is my 2004 RX-8 that I have done a build on and would like to share with the community. I also have a few issues that I need to resolve so I have questions as well. Thanks.

RX-8 build for the track (8TRAK)

 

You can post them here in the new members section. That's totally normal and expected.

 

Welcome, and fill us in with what you've done and what issues you're having.

 

Well I want to do a complete build thread, but I did the Keisler automation conversion. Plus I installed Ohlin race coil-overs and Corbeau seats and harnesses with a 4 point rollbar.
I am having an issue with the Tach/digital speedo and wanted to know if I can just replace that module in the cluster or if i have to replace the whole cluster.

 

Just swap the whole cluster. There is a guy on eBay who can fix the mileage for you as well. He’s based out of Colorado. Swapping the cluster takes all of 10 minutes.

 

What is the actual issue with the speedo/tach?

 

Thanks. Next question, the ABS light is on but the whole system is intact. What should I check for?

 

You are going to have a lot of CAN errors. Without the RX8 crank sensor or a CAN message the car doesnt know what to do with no data to the dash..

Easiest thing is likely to go to a standalone dash that matches the ECU that you are using

 

The speedo runs off the ABS sensors in each wheel, there isn't a vehicle speed sensor, so if your ABS is unhappy, that might be the speedo issue. Same for the tach if the ECU you're running isn't putting out a CAN rpm signal. So replacing the cluster with another 8 cluster won't accomplish a heck of a lot, +1 to going standalone.

Can you read the ABS code?

 

This conversion uses the RX-8 CAS. When driving the tach and speedo work most of the time. They will just drop out occasionally for a second. It did the same thing before the conversion. The only two things remaining were the sensor and the tach/speedo module. I replaced the sensor but the issue persists.

 

Learned something new today.. didn't realize that the manual used the 4 abs sensors to determine speed.

@1StopJeff If you're building a track car, sign up for mazda motorsports. Then buy all 4 sensors brand new. This is what I would be doing if I were you.

I looked up my car which is a 2010 and found these part numbers and prices
43-711 F151-43-71Y SENSOR(R),RR-A.B.S. $58.57
43-711Z F151-43-72Y SENSOR(L),RR-A.B.S. $58.57
43-71ZA F151-43-70XA HARNESS (R),FRT-A.B.S. $53.40
43-72ZA F151-43-73XA HARNESS (L),FRT-A.B.S. $55.22


For the $220 plus shipping.. I'd rather drop that money than muck around trying to find out which one is causing the issue.

 

@Speed7, good idea. I raced SM for 10 years and bought a lot through Mazda Motorsports. Hopefully that will fix my ABS issue but the tach/speedo issue acts like a bad ground in the module.

 

Yeah when it comes to issues like this.. I always have to calculate my time vs money.. figure out what I have more of.. usually I have less time and just toss a whole new part at it. FWIW.. I've not had one of these fail yet. But with any electronics they can die over time. My track car is a 2009 and is not used for any day to day driving. So it's only in use 4 weekends a year. So in "theory" I shouldn't have an issue with that part for awhile.

 

Any update on how your issues are going? Did the ABS sensors fix the speedometer issue?

 

I haven't replaced them yet. I did hook the scanner to the Mazda ODB2 port and there were no ABS related codes. So next is to replace the sensors.