SpearRX8

I keep getting CELs every week. This is the fourth or fifth time I have taken it to the dealer to have it checked and they keep telling me that it throws a code that mentions "shaft position sensor" and also "sensor angle". I get the CEL only when I start the car (but not everytime) which usually takes about 2 seconds to get going. I know about the starting procedures and I follow them perfectly. The only thing that the dealer does is reset the ECM. One time, they replaced the sensor. Any of you had the same issues and got it fixed.
Appreciate your help. It is frustrating so see the lack of technical knowhow that the Mazda dealerships in Miami have on the RX-8.
It is a great car but the lack of experience that the service technicians and service writers have on the rotary scares me. I am not talking only one dealer.

snap-on

We need the CODE!!!

zoom44

Print out this Technical Service Bulletin make sure you read it and understand it. then take it to the dealer the next time you have it in for this cel problem and make sure they read it and understand it. basically they have to perform the 20 brake stomps in 8 seconds task in order to clear the memory.

what if any repairs have been done to your car? what if any power train mods have you done to the car? we need to figure out why the the e-shaft profile that is in the memory is incorect in the first place.

zoom44

yeah that would help too:D :p

SpearRX8

Zoom 44,
The dealer told me that they stomped test the car to clear it. One time I did it as well. Just once though because I found myself consuming more gas for about two weeks everytime the stomping test is done. No cures as of to date.
Car is completely stock. No mods on it. The only other repair was that they put new brake pads due to the squeal problem which it is fixed and the two recalls.

Alright!! I pull out the service file I have on this car . The only codes that it mentions are these. Maybe this helps.
EGI System Diag.
930 W94
845 W94
952 W94
and they replaced the N3a1-18-221A which is the position sensor. Done on the second attempt to fix it.

Maybe one of you guys can help me figure this out so we can train the Mazda guys.

snap-on

Did the problem start as a misfire code..IE P0301-P0304?

zoom44

have you had this problem since the replacement of the sensor? also those dont appear on the list of cel codes i have, is there a description for them on your paper?

SpearRX8

The only thing I got that starts with a "p" is this. P0336. The other repair attemps do not mention anything else.
The problem started about one month after I got the car. Two months later and after the second attempt to fix it , they replaced the sensor but apparently, it was not it. During that time , they stomp test the car to reset, but again it did not cure the problem.

zoom44

P0336 Eccentric shaft position sensor circuit range/performance problem

so it seems like they did the correct thing in running thru the procedure to see what was wrong with the e-shaft sensor. there are several procedures involved looking for shorts, grnd problems etc before replacing the sensor. there is also a warning about making sure the new sensor is clean of any foreign material like metal shavings before installing it. it could be that when they installed the new one they didn't do it properly. i think they need to take that sensor out and go thru the whole procedure again to see where the fault is but lets wait for a 2nd opinion.

SpearRX8

Thanks for the reply Zoom 44. It mentions that they checked the contacts and ground at the sensor and PCM. "No signal of poor connection, no draw signal". This was done during the first time it was in. so they replaced the sensor. Funny thing is that the CEL comes on only when I start the car but not every time. Should I call Mazda and complain or give the dealer one more chance to fix.

snap-on

You should give them one more shot at it IMHO.

This problem does seem strange so they are dealing with something different here.

After the sensor...about all the curcuit has left is wiring and the PCM..

bxb40

Got the same P0336 code last night when I started the car. I cleaned it (using CanScan) and drove the car today without a problem. If it ever comes back, I would be interested to know what the resolution to your problem was, Spear... Did they finally solve it?

Moostafa29

Its nice to know that people search!

NoTears316

You guys should just buy my car. For some reason, in the 3 years I have owned my 8, I have never thrown a CEL and my car has more aftermarket parts installed then you could shake a stick at. Not that anyone should be shaking sticks at my car, but... you get the idea.

Red Devil

Of course, you realize you just cursed yourself.

NoTears316

Bah, I've said it before. I'm not scared.