Zeltar

Update:
Dealer Service Dept went to Mazda North American Headquarters to pick up car - transport it back to Dealer Service Dept. Upon start up, the Check Engine Light went back on. Either the vacuum control switch was the wrong fix, or another problem has tripped the CEL. The car remains at Headquarters. No RX-8 for me, today. I wonder if they are scratching their heads.

The SAGA continues...

93rdcurrent

Maybe they will just give you a new car. How long has it been?

Zeltar

Just over 2 months old, been in the shop 17 days with 5 different visits (invoices), 4 of which were for the CEL. I got it back today. The official verdict is that the secondary solenoid valve had to be replaced (PCM Code = PO661). Apparently, the extra night at Headquarters was due to a "porter panic" that either had to do with seeing the light without starting the car or a light on condition as a result of battery reconnection. Anyway, to get to this valve, they had to remove the intake manifold.

Today - the porter transfered my car back to the Service Department I took it too.

Since my VIN falls in the range, I also had them change out the oil pan. Kind of tired of visiting the service department so much.

The good news - I got to drive my car today. And, wow, after driving around a rental (Durango) for 9 days, it sure felt great to be back in the RX-8.

Lemon Law watch: If the CEL comes on in the next 17,200 miles, then it's an automatic Lemon. Or, if I have to take the car in for greater than 13 more days of warranty service for any covered item... it qualifies.

I'll update this thread if it happens again.

Rotary Nut

You want a lemon here is another one repurchased under the Virginia lemon law. Some of you may have already seen these threads about my '02 Passat W8. I firmly believe that most of these issues were due to the ineptitude of the dealerships' service dept. Please check it out if you have the time!

Re: '02 VW Passat W8 Buyback

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=725295

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=916694

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=907714

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=869873

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=942240

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=839434

Oh and as for the gas cap issue, as laughable as it may seem is a viable and valid fix for some of the CEL issues. My W8 had a CEL light 6 times in as many months and what I found out was that when the OBDII emmission controls and its related software was mandated by the govt. the systems got so sensitive that it would trigger a CEL light if the gas cap was not tightened at least three - five clicks.

In the case of my VW the evaporative emission control system is pressurized by a Leak Detection Pump. When you start the car the Evap system is pressurized by this pump as part of a required self test. The system then starts to leak down and the time it takes to leak down is measured and if it drops to a specific point before a specified period of time it means there is a leak in the Evap system and flags the CEL. Part of this problem is a loose or defective gas cap which will cause the leak in pressure and turn on the CEL light.
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Rotary Nut

Oh as an addendum to my last post they finally replaced the Leak Detection Pump. After replacing the gas cap twice they fogged the evap system and found a pinhole leak in the pump. This fixed my CEL problem.

KC-RX8

with this printout in hand.

I'll update this thread when I find out the CEL culprit.

KC-RX8

My CEL was a P...420 - False positive on the catalytic converter. Upgraded the EEPROMs to version "N3..." and I'm good to go - thank goodness!