GB9436

Hello! I'm just under 20 and have done the apparently unforgivable sin (said every non-RX8 owner in the world) of buying an RX-8 as my first car. It's a 2009 GT auto, even though I don't exactly know how to properly drive a true manual, I would've preferred one- but I only need 1 hand to count the number of RX-8s of any year or trim I could find on sale in Michigan right now. On the plus side, even though it has 80,000 miles already, I've witnessed no signs of seal problems and have been taking steps to prevent carbon buildup and engine flooding, and most of the other minor but essential care actions (as I've learned is pretty much essential for any RX8 owner).

Two main questions I have, firstly common problems not related to the engine. I bought my RX-8 at the end of May and didn't notice right away that both high beams as well as both fog lights do not work. After a fuse check I have been unsuccessful in determining the cause of this issue; my only thought is faulty wiring. Even though I don't night drive my RX-8, I believe these are still important to have functioning for winter, so what is the best way to find the cause and/or fix? Another big problem I've been having is my oil level warning light tends to start flashing when the engine gets up to temperature before driving. The weirdest part is that this only happens half the time, the other half the warning light doesn't turn on at all. As I've read in the manual, if it stays solid, this means the oil level is low, but if it flashes "there is a problem with the system". What exactly does this mean, a bad oil sensor? And if so what is the best way to go about fixing this? It might be helpful to find out options for aftermarket temperature gauges since I've heard these will greatly help you monitor the engine internals. And lastly, although a bit minor, one of my taillights has a slightly broken seal and has fogged up. Is this a common issue and what is the best fix?

My other big question is about the community- a lot of people on the internet talk about how easy it can be to find car enthusiasts in your area, however all I ever find when I try looking this up is classic muscle car shows near Detroit. I understand this is quite region-specific, but is there any scheduled RX-8 or even just general JDM events in Michigan in the near future? Otherwise, because I'm quite eager to meet fellow owners and learn more, specifically about modding (the do's, don'ts, and anything highly recommend), I'd be eager to know if there is someone in my area who can give me a head start!

Thanks if you're reading this for sparing a bit of patience for a beginner enthusiast. Hopefully it's okay to ask about some of these things outside of their respective sub-forums to start out since I don't believe I can post there yet.

CaymanRotary

Welcome to the club! Sorry to hear having some minor problems. Hope this might help you out. The headlights, if it is not an issue with the fuses, it may be an issue with the bulbs themselves. Remove them and ensure they are not burnt out. Be careful not to touch the glass portion. A new set of lights for this car are $150. Seems more likely to be a fuse/wiring issue though because all of the front lights are all not working.

Your next issue with the flashing oil light is an error with the OMP's. You should be getting engine codes for it. Have you been able to run a scan tool on it yet?

As far as community, wouldn't really know. Don't live in the US.

GB9436

Thanks, firstly. I wouldn't really know how to find out about the bulbs until I can remove them. As for the oil sensor, I have heard of scan tools but don't know exactly what to look for, also, OMP? Oil metering pump, right? I'm not sure what you mean by engine codes but this is probably just a newbie lack of knowledge on my part. Apologies!

CaymanRotary

Yea, you will need to figure out how to remove them. Not sure how they come out in a series 2 but there should be a guide online if you search. To scan for codes, you will need an OBD2 scan tool. I just got a cheap Bluetooth one you can hook to your phone and use with the Torque app. You'll want to see what codes are popping up as that will tell you exactly what fault is occurring.

delhi

Not only did you buy an RX-8 as your first car, you committed the deadliest of rotary sins by buying an automatic RX-8. Sell ASAP and say 9000 Hail Mary's to cleanse yourself from this unholy purchase.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Start with the New and Potential Owners section at RX8help.com. You can google for general concepts like engine codes.

Welcome aboard!

CaymanRotary

I disagree that the auto is trash. I have one and it's still good fun. Even the manual is beaten by a 2020 Corrolla.

GB9436

Lol, thanks guys. I have made progress on the oil sensor but getting results and possibly fixing will take some time. Also, is it better if I start a new thread to ask more questions here? Again, I don't believe I can post in the other main sub-forums yet. Another recent concern has been the dreaded engine coolant warning light periodically coming on occasionally while revving high or highway cruising around 80. Don't want to start another sh*tshow as I've seen other people start threads to ask about the same issue and get flamed for it. I assume the best fix is to replace the overflow tank & sensor entirely? Read the main thread about this and as far as I know that's the conclusion everyone came to.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Confirm that the coolant is not actually low. DO NOT OPEN the overflow tank while the car is warm if you enjoy having a face!

Otherwise yep the coolant sensor issue is pretty common. If you're going to take it out the coolant tank you risk breaking the radiator nipple for it, so either go slow or plan to replace the radiator at the same time.

CaymanRotary

As long as you confirm its the sensor and not the coolant actually being low then yes, replace the overflow bottle. The sensor is built into the bottle and for that reason, you cannot change just the senor.

averson7

I didn't get a rx for my first car tho lol. Mine is a 05 rx 8 6 speed manual. Velocity red. I bought it and then found out it is having trouble starting up after driving it. If I let it sit for about an hour I'll be able to start it up but after driving it and turning it off that's it for an hour. It will just turn and turn but not fire if I try to start it. I changed the spark plugs and wires and have ordered the new upgrade starter. Should that help? Also tho my car has died on me twice, both times with the ac on so it was drawing more current and nice my rpms down till it died, obviously it died when I was at a light and it was in neutral but it's still not good at all. What do you all think is the next move after installing the new starter? Also I could use any tips for this car, i didn't know it needed only conventional oil so any more tips like that would be greatly appreciated. Also I have been wondering about premixing? The rotary professional at the mazda dealership said definitely don't do it at all. What is your alls thoughts on that as well? Thank you all!

DB08-RX8

If you premix, plan on removing or gutting your cat converter. Also check the CPS, I was having the same problem and thought it was my fuel pump, turned about my crank sensor was going bad.

DB08-RX8

If you plan on driving in the snow, make sure your car has been under coated because they will rust fast.

averson7

ok u said check the cps, I'll have to look that up. Cause ya my dad was saying that almost sounds like a fuel pump since it's turning but just not firing. Do u think I just wasted 80 bucks on a new starter then? I was reading that the 04 and 05 models had inadequate starters. Is that accurate or did I fall for it? Lol I wouldn't be surprised, I've already learned to expect the worse and hope for the best.
and ya i guess I won't premix then, I'm glad I found that out. But ya so the only real mechanical tip is just use conventional oil? Nothing else that's a must with rotary engines?
and ya so your cat was also dying on you and not starting? Would the cps being faulty cause it to die?

DB08-RX8

I’d check plugs and bench test your coils before swapping the CPS- crank position sensor. The stock coils don’t last long as I’ve read, I swapped to D585 ls coils, new wires and plugs. It was like night and day, car cranks faster and seems a tad better on throttle response.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

You can premix with the cat in moderate amounts. Cats die from fuel not (correctly chosen) oil.

You can use synthetic oil. 20 years ago that was different, but oil chemistry and the meaning of 'synthetic' has evolved. Conventional oil won't hurt either, as long as you change it regularly. Same for premixing, inform yourself and make a decision. There are MANY MANY threads on oil selection, feel free to read through them.

Did you have a compression test before buying the car? Because what you're describing sounds like low compression. It could be the fuel pump as well but its easier to test compression than replace the fuel pump, please start your own thread instead for further troubleshooting. Have you already read the New & Potential section at rx8help.com? Please do, it will explain many aspects of rotary ownership.

I don't think the starter was a waste, if it's the faster 2.0kw starter. A faster starter is never bad.
Definitely plan to replace the coils as mentioned above, if you're not certain they're new. And again every 25k miles or switch to a good D585 based kit.

DB08-RX8

Loki, would it be to more beneficial to install a sohn adapter before starting to premix?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

My strategy, and I'm happy to debate it, has been to run a Sohn so I burn cheap 2 stroke instead of expensive synthetic which stays in the engine and protects the bearings. I also premix a cup or so per tank to get oil into places the stock injection system won't: side seals, seal springs, etc. JASO FD oil spec requires a certain amount of detergents and a low ash/mineral content so over long term it cleans up gums and varnishes that may build up around seals and springs, as well as seal and lubricate the entire perimeter of the combustion chamber.

Keep in mind that I race, or used to anyway, so the oil requirements are a little higher and I don't mind spending a bit more on it.

So to answer the question, I would premix anyway, and decide if you need a Sohn after you've selected your oil strategy.

GB9436

It's a good thing that you guys are bringing up premixing and removing the CAT because I haven't done either yet however I plan to do so within the next year. If anyone could drop a link to the best guide on fitting an S1 catback such as HKS Legamax to S2 like mine I'd greatly appreciate it. A tad off-topic but I'd rather ask now than later when I'm ready to do it but don't have a set of instructions yet.

averson7

I don't think I'm going to premix, idk I know the guy at the dealership said not to, and I'm not reaching with it, just driving it to and from work, now while I'm driving on the highway I'll def be whipping around and stuff but I'll never be taking it to a track, not anytime soon anyways lol. But ya I'm going to try the starter and see if that helps my problem, but it's acting like it's not idling right or something

averson7

alright well I got the new starter and hooked it up, it took about an hour. After doing that and hooking the battery back up I turned the car on and it struggled like regular to start... could that be coils then? I just bought and changed the spark plugs, wires, and a new starter. And also on top of that when I got in to drive all of a sudden the dash light with the car and swirly lines, the dsc tcs indicator light. Is just on period now. I pressed the dsc button over and over and it doesn't pop up on the dash like it used to. And also it used to not have that dash light on at all, until I undid the battery and put a new starter on,, then I hooked the battery back up and now the light is stuck on and the dsc button won't do anything. Any remedies? Undo the battery again?

DB08-RX8

Crank your car, while running turn your steering wheel all the way to the right then left, it should go out. YouTube coil check by Whitney automotive, it’s very informing on bench testing rx8 coils.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

^^ This. After disconnecting the battery, the car needs to re calibrate the steering wheel angle and other sensors. The next time you start the car it should be fine.
Is the starter you put on actually the higher power model?

Also start your own thread before we get carried away from the original poster's questions.

I'll repeat the main question: did you have a compression test?
Coils definitely need replacement if you're not certain of their condition, but all of that is moot if you need a new engine.

GB9436

Update: I ordered a Bluedriver and on arrival today I put it in and ran it, it gave me 3 codes: P1684, P1685, and U2064. It says the first two indeed have to do with the OMP, being position sensor circuit and stepping motor #1 control circuit, respectively. The third is a warning light code as requested by another control module, such as the PCM under which OMP is I believe. After several searches I haven't gotten very far, as the internet says the P codes are for something much different on most cars and the main thread on here I found for CEL codes doesn't have any of these 3 codes listed on it. Any help, perhaps..?

tacryer

Just bought my first RX8 (103k m, 06 blue 6 spd) 3 weeks ago. I replaced the oil and gave a tune up as I have NO idea when it was last done. My radiator broke and had to replace it (I also just put my fuel pump in today after it shut down on me on the freeway!) Anyway, I was getting that code with the coolant and knew there was plenty. Thanks for the tip! Now off to hunt for some more fixes! LOVE this car!!