Can I safely jump start RX-8?
#1
Can I safely jump start RX-8?
My battery is dead after one week sitting in the garage. I did some reading and a question popped up:
Can I really jump start this car?
Somebody was saying in another thread that you should not jump-start RX-8 because of the spike in voltage while jump-starting. Is this true? Is it more safe to purchase a battery charger and charge it overnight? Has anybody run into problems after jump-starting their 8's?
Can I really jump start this car?
Somebody was saying in another thread that you should not jump-start RX-8 because of the spike in voltage while jump-starting. Is this true? Is it more safe to purchase a battery charger and charge it overnight? Has anybody run into problems after jump-starting their 8's?
#2
Administrator
charging it would be much better. also using a jump box is beter than jumping with another car. either way if you jump it you should drive it aroundf- dont just let itsit there and rev- thats the actual issue, the car sitting and revving high, not the jumping in the first place
#3
Not a problem as long as you disconnect the jumper cables after jumpstarting it.
See zoom44's post on this matter: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=409
This the thread where the post came from: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&page=28&pp=15
See zoom44's post on this matter: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=409
This the thread where the post came from: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&page=28&pp=15
#5
Registered
Originally Posted by Dima26
My battery is dead after one week sitting in the garage. I did some reading and a question popped up:
Can I really jump start this car?
Somebody was saying in another thread that you should not jump-start RX-8 because of the spike in voltage while jump-starting. Is this true? Is it more safe to purchase a battery charger and charge it overnight? Has anybody run into problems after jump-starting their 8's?
Can I really jump start this car?
Somebody was saying in another thread that you should not jump-start RX-8 because of the spike in voltage while jump-starting. Is this true? Is it more safe to purchase a battery charger and charge it overnight? Has anybody run into problems after jump-starting their 8's?
First, get a low-amp battery charger and charge the battery. One with a maintenance capability is nice because you can leave it attached over night if necessary and not worry about over charging. Then take the car to a dealer and tell him of the dead battery/trouble starting problem you are having. There are a couple of Mazda-recommended replacement batteries that are considerably better than the inadequate OEM. They may give you a new, better battery
Second, if the battery died in only a week, you probably have something draining the battery like a short or a component that is not powering down when you shut the car off. You will need to track that down. Make sure the trunk is shut tightly. A slightly open trunk lid can cause the trunk light to stay on and drain the battery over the time period you mention. This is also a known "problem".
#6
Thanks for all the replies and valuable suggestions. I bought a charger and set it for 6 A charge for a few hours. I am going to try to start the car in an hour (I need to go someplace).
Regarding the battery being dead in a week, I think it is the battery mostly. I do have Lo-Jack, which drains some power but not nearly enough to drain a sound battery in one week. Before that I noticed that if I leave the radio on (I have stock system) for just 10 minutes or so, the starter rotates the engine "not so happily" after that. On my previous car I could leave the audio on (with three 10'' subs) for 2-3 hours while waxing it and had never had any problems. I guess, I need to upgrade the battery. I will visit the dealer ane let you guys know what happens.
Regarding the battery being dead in a week, I think it is the battery mostly. I do have Lo-Jack, which drains some power but not nearly enough to drain a sound battery in one week. Before that I noticed that if I leave the radio on (I have stock system) for just 10 minutes or so, the starter rotates the engine "not so happily" after that. On my previous car I could leave the audio on (with three 10'' subs) for 2-3 hours while waxing it and had never had any problems. I guess, I need to upgrade the battery. I will visit the dealer ane let you guys know what happens.
#7
May Cause Anal Leakage
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Orlando & Chicago
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I guess, I need to upgrade the battery. I will visit the dealer ane let you guys know what happens.
There's also a TSB regarding the battery. See if this helps
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...42-04-1429.pdf
#8
Ok, I have some update regarding the cause. The light in the trunk was actually on. I opened the small compartment from the inside of the car and the light was on even though the trunk was closed. I opened it and closed it again and it was off. I did it many times and all times except one it was off. I guess, I will need to look at the way to fix it (don't want the dealer messing with my baby). Does anybody know if there is a way to adjust the thing that turns off the light so that it goes off even if the trunk is partly closed?
#9
Originally Posted by tiggerlee
There's also a TSB regarding the battery. See if this helps
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...42-04-1429.pdf
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...42-04-1429.pdf
#10
Registered
Originally Posted by Dima26
Ok, I have some update regarding the cause. The light in the trunk was actually on. I opened the small compartment from the inside of the car and the light was on even though the trunk was closed. I opened it and closed it again and it was off. I did it many times and all times except one it was off. I guess, I will need to look at the way to fix it (don't want the dealer messing with my baby). Does anybody know if there is a way to adjust the thing that turns off the light so that it goes off even if the trunk is partly closed?
#11
That's one solution. I feel reluctant removing the bulb if the light has problems. I do not have the spare tire. If the car is supposed to have the light when I open the trunk, I would like to have it there. If it stays on after the trunk is shut, I just need to find the cause and eliminate the cause, not the feature.
#13
what about kick start? is that fine? put in first gear turn key 1/2 while someone pushs you forward with clutch down and when you have enought momentum to release clutch quickly... is that bad for the car?
#15
Originally Posted by abbid
Warranty?
Id rather take it in to the dealer, because if you damage it in the process of attempting to fix it yourself, you may void the warranty to the whole electrical system...
Id rather take it in to the dealer, because if you damage it in the process of attempting to fix it yourself, you may void the warranty to the whole electrical system...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Touge
Canada Forum
0
07-28-2015 09:52 PM