On the way home, my 8 threw a CEL just cruising through a neighborhood. It's not flashing, just solid on. I shut down the car when I got home, then restarted. CEL still there.

Just got off the phone with my service rep. He said he can't take me until next the middle of next week, and that the CEL was no big deal as long as it wasn't flashing. No extra precautions necessary when driving (I asked).

....why does this rub me the wrong way?

 

Typically a solid-on check light indicates some kind of sensor failure or strange reading, generally emissions related (like 02 sensor readings from the cat, or gas-tank/evap leak test failure). You may get worse mileage or something like that with it on, but it most probably isn't anything engine threatening.

If it's flasing it generally indicates a more urgent issue, like misfire or something of that nature. I'd say it's fine to wait until the middle of the week to take it in as long as performance/driving isn't noticeably affected.

Simon.

 

Alrighty, thanks for the update

 

Got to love this site ~ !

 

Let us know what happened!
I had constant CEL twice on my car, first time they replaced fauled spark plugs. The 2nd time it was leaked coolant inside the engine, getting a new engine putting in as we speak....

 

WOW...

This problem got a lot worse REAL quick.

Turns out, the PCM codes (PO420 and PO400) are Catalytic Converter issues, and my cat is currently getting sent to Mazda corporate for review to get warranty support.

Haven't other people here reported cats basically exploding or coming apart on them? Looks like I just joined the club...

 

I've had a CEL occur twice on my 8. The first one was due to an oversensative vacum sensor. Tech flashed the PCM and it was all good. The second one occured about a week and a half ago. I have an appointment tomorrow but..... the CEL went out yesterday when I was going to the store. I am still taking it in because my front brakes are squealing with every stop but I will have them hook it up to the computer just to be safe. The car has been running great despite the cels though. I have 3900 miles on it.

 

More and more people are reporting clogged cat issues on the RX-8. Also, the CEL will blink if the PCM senses loads it doesn't "like". For example; since I began my mods my CEL has been on. I have learned to ignore it. Whenever I go over 4K rpm, the light blinks. Whether full-throttle, or not, it will blink above 4K. Car runs great and the sensors don't like the fact that I have a different intake and no cat on it.

Charles

 

They didn't really tell me what exactly caused the problem, just replaced the cat outright. They just attributed it to an "internal failure" that caused low efficiency.