Hi,
Just bought a black rx8 on past Sunday. My wife and I love the car. Never had anything nice like this one. I just happen to notice that after I turn off the engine and remove the key, the security indicator light comes on flashing continuously. Is this normal? (more like a indication that security system is working?). Manual seems to indicate that the light will flash if the key is turned to ACC position. Any input greatly appreciated.


--shu

 

The light flashes every 2 seconds whenever the system is armed.

If the light is on when the key is in the ON position, then it's probably indicating some kind of problem.

 

According to the manual, it means the engine immobilizer is working like it's supposed to.

 

You mean there's a USER MANUAL for the car? One that might list all sorts of information?

Wow! What a concept!

:D

Sorry, couldnt help it. I dont know how everybody that gets the car doesnt read the manual.

 

I have the manual thanks to the forum friends that posted it as a pdf file, but I won't have the car until next year (can't afford it yet) :p

 

I'm with you, Genom! You just spent $30k on a new car and you don't want to know about all of the features, gadgets, maintenance, etc...???

You don't have to read it word for word, just skim through it, and most importantly, refer to it when you have a problem.

 

Where do you find the manual?

 

mines in this black fabric case in my glove compartment. try looking there :p

 

The Security Light Indicator in my 8 starts to flash continuesly after engine is off and key is removed. I had this car for two weeks now, it wasn't doing this before. I don't think it's normal.

 

the original poster said he read the manual at least about the question he had and the manual seemed vague. give the guy a break.

 

are you sure it wasnt doing it before? if it wasnt then it wasnt normal.

 

It is operating correctly. Either you didn't notice it previously, or it was broken but has miraculously fixed itself!

 

Mine always blinks like it's supposed to when the engine is off.

 

I find the owners manual rather vauge on the subject, and claim at least a rudimentary grasp of the English language. Moreover; it just seems odd to have a continually flashing light to indicate that everything is hunky-dory! And how frikkin' intuitive is it to use one that looks like a Volvo 122 in profile with some squggly black streak down it's side?

Sheesh, I wonder at the dark current draw of this unduly complex car! But then, I'm an old fart who learned early to turn the MGs lights off as soon as I could find the way home by feel; thus increasing the chance of a key start next morning.

{{{{

 

This was the first "problem" I encountered too. I noticed the light the next morning after putting the car in the garage, but had to get to work. I asked my wife who was staying home to handle it (lest the battery be draining), and it took her quite a while to figure it out and confirm that the continuously blinking light is normal.

BTW, the "immobilizer" system is rather vaguely described in the manual. I need to fill out insurance forms for my 8, and I am unsure what type of "immobilizer" it is... "fuel cutoff," "ignition cutoff" or "starter cutoff"? Eventually, I decided on "ignition cutoff," but I'm not positive.

 

My 2004 RX-8 just started doing this last night. I've owned and driven it from 7K miles to the 90K it has now. And this light never showed up until last night. I never even noticed it on start up. But now the Car with a Key shape in the middle, Red Light is flashing every time I turn off my ignition, and stays blinking until start up. It stays off while engine is running.

Has anyone ever figured out how to stop it and go back to the original slow flash for security, instead of this disable?

 

Google "RX8Club DIY: Diagnostic Outputs"
There is an immobilizer diagnostic test there.