Car Won't Start - Any Ideas?
 

I own a 2005 RX-8. 39,000 miles. Everything was fine a month ago. Started great - drove great. I went overseas for a month. Came back, jumped in the car. Won't start. Turns over fine (battery was replaced 3 months ago.) Sounds like it isn't igniting - maybe flooded? How could this happen just sitting in a warm California garage for a month?

At this point it may have to be towed to the shop. Any ideas what it might be? How do you unflood one of these things?

Put the throttle to the floor and crank the engine for several seconds. That may clear it out if it's flooded. Then try to start like normal. Note that you can drain the battery quickly doing this, so it helps if you hook it up to a charger or jump it.

^+1

Yes, push the peddle to the floor and crank the engine for 10 seconds. Stop. Turn the key to off, then turn on again without pressing the peddle and crank the engine. It that doesnt work.. then...

Pull off the intake filter and grab some starter fluid. You will need a friend for this. Have your friend crank the engine while you spray some fluid into the intake. Hopefully this will get it started. If it works, it will stink like hell and prolly blow some smoke out the exhaust. If that doesnt work... try 3rd step.

Step 3 would be jump starting it like you would an ATV... Throw it in 2nd and tow it. I dont recommend this version personally though. If that doesnt work, do step 4.

Step 4 - Tow to dealer.

Thanks - I'll give that a try. I used to own an RX-7, and I actually installed a switch to turn off the fuel pump it flooded so often.

spray away! hopefully you get it going!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5SpUSvI4qQ

jajajaja i did the same thing with mine (rx-7 turbo ll ) turn off with the switch and turn it on and then the key 15 dollars fix :naughty::naughty::naughty:

How long did you crank it? I have a truck that I let sit for months. It takes quite a bit of cranking to get it to light off after it sits for a while. I think the fuel system dries up. You need to give the fuel pump a chance to fill things up again. Keep cranking.

-1.3L

If you did what they recomended you probably flooded it.

You need to put it on a charger.

One month and the Alarm and clock will discharge your battery.

Ask me how I know.

My 8 sat for about 3 months, and then started up just fine. Sitting for a month shouldn't drain the battery. You can run a clock off of a car battery for about a thousand years.

Well. I tried this all day yesterday. No luck. Looks like it goes to the dealer on Monday. The yellow engine light blinks on and off after I crank it for a while, if that helps anyone figure this out. Also, after cranking it a while I can hear it fire ever few seconds. Never catches however.

If you haven't seen this thread, you might want to give this a try before heading to the dealer:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/deflooded-removing-fuel-pump-fuse-139571/

reset the shaft profile?

Don't take it to a dealer... they're going to charge a ton to deflood.

If you don't have a battery charger, you may need one. Because you'll be giving your starter a work out and it will probably drain your battery.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-under-5-mins-55517/

^
Hooking up the washer fluid has worked when I seriously flooded my car twice.

The tow start would be the 2nd to last resort.... last being the dealership.

Spray some washer fluid in there, and make sure your foot is to the floor on the gas pedal so you don't introduce more gas into there.

If all else fails check the coils

Does it have gas?

Started - but what a price!
 

Well, I finally decided it had to be towed to the dealer. AAA picked it up at no charge. Car (2005 RX-8) had slightly less than 40K miles. Dealer said the spark plugs needed to be changed at 35K, but give me a break. So they changed four plugs and four ignition coils. Dealer said coils on 2004 and 2005 failed a lot. Had the oil changed, too.

Cost: $700.

(At least they threw in a "free" car wash.)