2004 RX8 check engine light is on and can only reach 4000 rpm-car is driveable but no hp-just replaced battery and last year a catalytic converter-Any advice or similar issues and diagnosis?

 

you need to plug or hire someone to plug a scanner into the car and find out the code or codes that are causing the check engine light to be on.

there are probably 200 different codes, and any one of them can turn the light on

 

What about the loss of power? This happened about 2 weeks ago and I thought the gas cap was not secured. So I disconnected the battery cables, re-tightened the cap and it was running fine ever since, until today. In fact it was fine Saturday night, sat all day yesterday and when I got in it today the problem was back.

 

More info about your car...mileage, any mods, anything...

When did the last time you change the coils, plugs, and wires?

 

Have owned for about 2 years-just turned 84k miles-never any wires/plugs etc since I owned

 

stock 6 speed w/ no modifications

 

The loss of power could be you may just need a tune-up...start with that.

 

Why is it intermittent? Do you think it could have anything to do with the new battery? I was thinking it may not be the correct battery for this car. I previously had a Porsche that required a specific battery but was unsure if Mazda had the same demand. It's just weird that it starts, idles smoothly, runs fine but zero hp.

 

ricivic,

Our ignition fails regularly. Replacing it is a normal maintenance item. Plugs, coils, and wires, on average about every 30,000 miles. If you don't have new ignition you will make no progress in diagnosing ANY other power loss problem. Weakening ignition that hasn't quite "failed" yet is a ~28hp loss, and will accelerate cat failure, lead to engine damage, O2 damage, etc... You might have multiple failures that started from failing ignition.

Get the code read (it will be one from this list: https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...n-guide-26291/), and replace the ignition. ~$200 for everything from autoparts stores.

Until you do that, we won't make any progress in being able to help you.

 

so my rx8 is running great but the check engine light went on I got a tune up and the light turned off but then surley about a week later it came back on and it came back on and off but when I did my tune up I never changed my coils is that a problem or is my calytical convertor the problem? the engine light sometimes flashes when I go fast but sometimes it doesn't but my engine light is still on. I don't know what it is can somebody help me?

 

How many miles and what year Is your car? Not changing coils after a certain milage could make a big difference. What are the codes? AND read RIWWP links in his sig, it shows symptoms and causes of flashing engine light etc.

 

Flashing is always a misfire. Go to an autoparts store and have them tell you the codes that are being thrown (it's usually free) and write them down.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...t-here-222280/

 

Well its a 2

 

Well its a 2004 rx 8 with 70,000 miles and what store should I goto to get the codes like an auto zone place or whatever

 

I used to go to Advance Auto parts.

I since have bought a Bluetooth dongle($35) & the Torque app for my Android phone that lets me read & clear my own codes.

 

I have mil dash light on in limp mode obd says mil off no codes.
Trying to figure out if aftermarket remote starter could Be the cause or if anyones had this issue before. For a couple months it would go in limp mode but after restarting the engine it would go away. NOw after 5 seconds it’s in limp mode every time.

 

Sounds like you need a better OBD reader.

 

Tried 3 different code readers. Even asked Mazda dealer and they said theirs wouldn’t read it either

 

Just went through this very issue. It wound up being the oil metering pump and sensor.

 

Expensive sucker too lol. I just replaced mine back in June and added a SOHN while it was being worked on. Turns out I had a small leak in the radiator hose just above the OMP and that apparently Helped push along its demise. It was 16 years old and after hearing about so many others failing I am guessing it is just time.