jnettrecker

Hey guys. I wanted to post this in the tech forum but it wouldn't let me for some reason. I love this car we just got but am new to the Rotary scene and need some help answering some questions. I have been reading the stickies and have learned a ton already. Although I used to be a motorcycle mechanic and have a general wrench turning knowledge, I know absolutely nothing about these cars, other than what I have learned here. I apologize in advance for the length of my post, just trying to give all the information I can.

The Car:
- Blue 2004 Mazda RX-8 w/ AT. 127,000 mi.

Questions:

- High beams and driving lights do not work. Looks like bulbs are fine. Any "best" place to start trouble shooting? I don't even know where the fuse panel is, ha.

- This has a factory GPS system that comes up out of the dash. It says Insert Disk and after checking the obvious DVD player in the center console, there isn't a disk in there. I have went from dealership to Mazda Navication to Navtech talking to people and come to find out the most recent disk was updated in 2008 and they want $199 for that sucker! My questions are, is there anyone who has burned a copy successfully? (If so I'd be happy to pay for one). Is there a way to port a newer map into that system? Is there a way to hack it to be able to play DVD movies? Seems like a waste of hardware to just be sitting there……

- I had to have the dealership where I bought it replace the condenser the day after I bought it, because it was destroyed from road debris. Fortunately they did it for free. THe tech said that here in TX (it is 106F here today) the car would never cool properly unless the belly pan was left off. He recommended a mesh type replacement. Do you know anyone who will make one for me to install?

- I have searched online and eBay and am clueless as to what year of FOB (Keyless Entry) will work with this 2004. The dealership did not have a fob for the car, so I have no idea to find out if it is a OEM keyless entry or if it is a factory installed keyless entry (seems like those are the 2 options). A link to where to get one that doesn't cost my inheritance would be freaking awesome!

- Spare tire. The car came with a satin black full size 18" x 8" Mazda wheel, which I would happily trade for a factory spare! It takes up the whole trunk, lol. There is a tire on it but I plan on keeping for the car since it is the same as what is on there. Any suggestions on where to look for a factory spare?

- The AT light has come on twice but has gone back off. I checked the fluid with the car running, warm in park and it looked fine. I pulled the codes and I'll have to get the exact CEL code but it was something about communication lost to transmission controller.

Thanks in advance for your help!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

That would have been an insurance replacement normally, so I guess you got lucky. The splash pan story is a myth. Leave the stock one alone. A properly vented hood is far better, due to the pressure differentials.

Keep an eye on the classifieds. A spare tire was not standard with the RX-8 so they are pretty rare. You might be able to order one through a dealer still, but will probably pay through the nose for it.

We have the same bolt pattern of other Mazdas (3s, 6s, 5s, CX-5s, 7s, and 9s), so one of their's might work, but I stress 'might'. Our brakes are bigger than I think all of those, and you could easily run into interference between the wheel and the caliper on the smaller spares of those other cars. Most people that want a spare just carry around a full size wheel.

jnettrecker

ttt

Any input on the other items?