hello my Rx8 friends ok so. I decided to swap my lower intake manifold cause the original was pretty beat up and causing vaccine leaks so I swapped it put everything back on and decided to go ahead and swAp the cables from the starter to the battery as well as the solenoid cable that runs to the starter the fuse box and to the battery. But it won’t turn over as when I turn the key nothing happens but when I touch the two bolts in the starter it will turn over. Could it be the antitheft that is triggering or do I have something fubared

 

Oh it’s a 2005

 

If the RX8 is anything like any other immobilizer equipped car that i've owned, even with a steel key the engine will crank but will shut off shortly after firing up.

It is possible that the small cable going to the starter is broken or disconnected. Is the wire getting 12V when you turn the key to start? Do a continuity check between that starter terminal and wherever it is routed to (sounds like the fuse box). Check for 12V at the fuse box when you crank. Don't know what the wiring looks like for this circuit but you might have blown a fuse when replacing cables...

 

Check your fuses and relays.

When you say "turn the key nothing happens" does the dash light up? If no, your IGN KEY fuse is probably blown.

 

I’m getting lights on my dash fuel pump kicks in everything seems to cut on but it won’t rurnover. I’m about to check everything I can With my multi meter. Any suggestions. Maybe cut open that cable running to the the starter see if there’s any abrasions or sort..

 

If you don't want spend hours on here and in your garage experimenting, I'd suggest taking it to your Mazda dealer. This is the kind of thing best left to a Mazda mechanic.

 

If it's the immobilizer, they car/key symbol on the dash will flash rapidly when you try to start the car (and not turn over, as you're observing).

If that's not happening, retrace your steps. Did you disconnect the battery fully while doing the electrical work?

 

Ok scratch that I was getting power to dash lights and sort but now I’m not getting anything battery is fully charged fuses seem to all be good. Man I’m not sure what happened last night I was getting dash lights fuel pump was turning on. Now nothing

 

The problem with taking it to a Mazda dealership is they require payment which I do not have. So I’m stuck either trying to fix or sale. But you know better than I am Rx8 is tough to sale even when running damn near impossible when it isn’t

 

And yes Loki I believe I did

 

Did you check the main fuse? You have to unbolt the terminal above it to see it, its in the fuse box.

But, that's a 120amp fuse so if it popped, you need to retrace all of your steps and redo what you did carefully. 120amps will start fires.

 

Yes that’s one of the things I checked I didn’t look blown but I’ll take care t out cause I know how my luck is so I’ll get back to y’all shortly thanks

 

If I understand you correctly and you have power down at the starter connection then it has to be either the ignition switch, 30 A accessory fuse, starter relay, starter interlock switch (clutch pedal) or the wiring