Originally Posted by sheeRXhilir8tion

So you haven't deleted the pump and it's somewhat functional but not entirely hence the DTC and that's why you've masked it?

Your key-on theory sounds plausible. I can't really test it on that car because the pump is disconnected but I just got another '8 and the air pump is going. Will mask it and see how this one behaves then let you know if it does the same thing as yours.

Originally Posted by sheeRXhilir8tion

From what I've read and from personal experience, yes.

And yes, I also feel the same way as you about it...PRETTY IMPORTANT! (And in my particular case it doesn't even prevent the light from coming on, so...not feeling like I really got what I paid for...)

Side note: The last time I had to pass smog (different RX-8) I did so with a cat delete but had to switch from VT to ME. Oddly, the cat was not an issue at all but the deleted sec. air pump monitor would not "ready", even after multiple drive cycles. Eventually I had to reconnect it. It became ready right away and I was able to pass. This was particularly confusing because my other '8 which had the same setup had just passed smog the previous year without the air pump readiness issue (although the mechanic noticed it was physically not there so I bolted the thing back in place without connecting the wires or removing the plate).