CEL Question...
 

Before I explain my situation, I'd like to tell you that I have a 2004 AUTOMATIC rx-8. Many of you probably expected that already seeing that most threads that deal with problems invlove 04 Auto 8s.

Well... Last friday, I got a CEL out of nowhere. Confused the hell out of me. Once the light turned on, the car's shifting from 3rd to 4th is delayed. It'll stay on 3rd until it gets to about 6k rpm before finally shifting to 4th and i'd barely be on the gas. But when in auto/manual, it shifts on command which makes me believe that the CEL put my shift map into safe mode or something.

Then, early Sunday afternoon, the CEL went off. That was a relief but when I drove it, it was doing the same thing. Delayed shifting and random downshifts into 2nd gear when driving on an avg. incline.

Yeah, not having that CEL anymore definately makes me feel better psychologically but also fills me with doubt on why it went off all of a sudden and why my problems with shifting still persist.

I talked to Mazda Service and the guy there said that it could have been anything but most likely the gas cap not being closed properly. I'm still taking it in this Friday to have the codes run and to have all recalls checked but I figured presenting the issue on here can at least calm my nerves...or put me deeper in s**t. Hopefully calm my nerves though.

If any of you have experienced this or known of this happen, please share. I'd love to know what is gonig on and if it's just something little that's ecpected when the CEL comes on.

Thanks in advance!

I dont think the CEL has anything to do with your issue. like the Mazda tech said the CEL was probably just Gas Cap.

most CEL on this car will turn itself off in 2 drive cycles (if it does not happen again in 2 drive cycle).

anyway, how many miles on the car ? new or used ? fluid change date ? (if any) what kind of fluid ? what kind of TSB/Recall have you done ?

there are just over 23k miles on the car, it was used when I bought it, I got oil changed, injectors cleaned, and engine flushed at Spoilers Auto Spa about 3 weeks ago. I would have to look into what recalls have already been done on the car, once I know, i'll let you know!

Engine flushed ? ... >_<

Well, you should check the recall first, make it quick. so if theres any problem they can replace your engine.

Oh, you might want to change your ATF as well.

Yeah since i'm not gonna be able to take my car in until Friday, i'm going to take my car top Advanced Auto Parts tonight to have them run the codes to at least find out what's going on. I was actually planning to have my ATF changed this weekend, looks like it's more of a priority now.

See if you can pull the code out.

Well, change ur ATF after ur dealership checks ur car and its ok.

I got a couple of CELs in the last month or two on my 05 AT. Determined it was bad gas from a particular gas station. Would happen when i got down to a half tank after having filled up at the same place. I'd add fresh gas from somewhere else and the CEL would go away quickly. At least I'm hoping that's what it was :)

I didn't notice anything strange with the transmission, but I drive in manual mode about 95% of the time for fun and to help prevent carbon buildup.

I took the car to Advanced Auto tonight and I got the code "P0442: EVAP Emission Control System Leak (small)."

Is that a recall? The guy told me that it was a small vacuum leak. That's covered under the factory warranty right??

That's one of the codes that comes up for a leaky gas cap. Recall MSP13

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-07-1748.pdf

talks of P0455, large leak, and is directed at 2006-2007 models, but if you're still within the bumper-to-bumper warranty they should fix this. IMHO, any time you get a CEL fixing it should be under warranty.

Ken

Its probably the gas cap not sealing well.

So just bring it to dealership.

Oh in the mean time go print ALL of the TSBs, bring it to dealerships and have them *fix it all*

if its not broken ? well, Break it and let them fix it (shhhhhhh .....), say, Sun Visor ? :)

hahaha sounds like a plan to me! So this leaky gas cap has nothing to do with me having to get the engine replaced right?

Ok.. so, I just got off of the phone with my Mazda Dealer's Service Rep. and he tells me that they're going to replace the entire intake manifold under warranty. They're going to keep my car there over the weekend and said it should be done by monday evening.

He also tells me that my shifting problem was just my car going into Safe Mode because of the CEL. He said they reset it and that it should be fine...we'll see about that...they probably put a piece of duct-tape somewhere on the transmission...lazy pricks.

Well...that's the best update that I can give at the moment, when I hear more, i'll be sure to post.

lol

most of the time, replacing the intake manifold wont fix the problem.

Did you ask what exactly the problem was ?

well since i'm no genius when it comes to cars, I don't know what the relationship is between a vacuum leak and changing out the intake manifold, but one of the guys there in service told me that if I had a small vacuum leak, that the intake manifold would need be replaced.

Trust me, i'm going to make sure that car gets COMPLETELY fixed. I wasn't able to print out the TSBs yet but if I was to, how would I go about bringing it to the dealer's attention. Because I honestly don't see them humoring me if I walk in there with a sheet of things that may go wrong, along with my demands for them to fix it. haha

Dude I'm telling you, lift your hood after you get it back, they LOVE to use duct tape for the problems me and you have been having.

I should know that's how they got me out of their hair the first time I went in :rant:

these are the times I wish there was such a thing as "Duct Tape / Temporary Adhesive Detector"

It'll be like that episode on Family Guy when Peter buys a car with a picture of an engine under the hood! hahaaa...

I'll lift my hood and see a crayon drawing of an intake manifold and some scotch tape hahah I wouldn't be surprised at all! Most likely the drawing won't even be a good one. I can't see those retards being able to color between the lines...

So true :lol2:

Got the final verdict on my car! Updated: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/dealership-possibly-pulling-my-leg-need-help-120216/

Vacuum leak ... it could be the intake BUT. are they sure about that?

ITs just sad these days that people in dealerships cant fix shit without the *instructions manual*.

Read my Signature, thats EXACTLY what is happening right now.

Like me, I had this problem of P0662, the SSV solenoid problem.

that pos dealership gave me the look and tried to void my warranty, they want to blame it on my intake.

I found the fix by reading the wire harness diagram myself. I just clean the connector with distilled water, and put a plastic cap on the intake manifold nipple. cost me what 4-5 bucks? took me 10 minutes, CEL went away for 2K miles already, no signs of coming back, no pending code nothing. car is back to normal.

watch when I have the time I will go back to that same dealership, and have them fix a bunch of TSBs. just to piss them off.