I never had what I'd consider chronic hard starts, but, it seems like in general, I've had to crank a just a little longer (maybe half a second to a second) to start since I got the 4206F recall (only new plugs and flash update). I don't have the new starter / battery combo. Didn't think it was necessary - and really still don't think the amount of cranking is excessive.... just an observation.

Anyone else experience this?

 

Well sounds like you do need that new started / battery combo
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/long-starting-100402/

 

Part of the new flash, from what I understand, reduces initial fuel input at startup to prevent flooding.

This may mean a couple more cranks to fire her up...

Chris...

 

Since having the recall performed, my car seems to take a little extra cranking to start when cold also. It does seem to start quicker when it is warmed up though.

 

Yeah, already know about the TSB... Might wait until the battery starts to go south before I do it... Rather go for the Optima, but free is good.... <g>

I'd forgotten about the "less fuel at startup" anti-flooding measure in the new flash - makes perfect sense now. I haven't seen any difference in hot starts...

Thanks for the replies...

 

Hmmm. I've had harder starts the past couple days pre-recall (which will be performed next week). A bit colder wx these days. I have the new starter but I may need a new battery. I'll be sure to mention it.

 

I reported this same issue on 09/22/06 and was blown off (Incorrectly) by people on this board that the ECU had to 'learn again'

I now have 1000 miles since the new Flash (42,000 Total now) and my car still takes long to start. Funny thing is it always started FINE before the new flash!


See last post on this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...page=119&pp=15

I predict there will be another NEW flash SOON, because now, the car does not start right, (especially when cold ) it cranks much longer than it used to and sounds like it might not catch. (bear in mind, cold is 70 degrees in florida right now).

I had the spark plugs and starter replaced at 37,000 miles. ( the battery was replaced at 30k miles) good thing too, because the ould starter would not have been able to start it now.

Before the new flash my car started REALLY fast. Oh, and my fuel mileage has gone down with the new flash.

I like Mazda and my RX-8, but SOMEONE in the RX-8 team needs to be FIRED!

 

My car always had a hard time starting (but I thought that's how the rotary started)... Since I've had the new starter/battery combo the rotary starts as soon as I turn the key! It also has a awkward whine added to it...

 

Do you have the latest flash? My car started really fast with the new starter/battery BEFORE getting the latest flash.

 

Just adding my own observations..

I had a new battery/starter installed before the 4206 recall. It made a difference, instananious start compared to maybe taking 1-2 seconds beforehand. For the record I've never had flooding problems or really hard start problems in the past.

After the 4206 recall, it does seem to take "just a little" longer than it used to. As the OP stated; maybe just an extra .5-1 second longer... don't know why, but I noticed the difference.

 

I think the new flash leans out the startup mixture just a bit too much. I predict that when the thermometer starts dropping into the 30s and 20s, there will be quite a few RX-8s not able to start. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

Im in the same boat as you. Definately takes longer to start, an extra couple of cranks.

 

Seems to start as quickly as before except for one time where it took longer. Never had that once before. Hope it is not a trend.

 

First couple of time after the recall took about 2 seconds to start. Now it starts right up.

 

I had the starter/pugs/battery bit done a while ago. Made a big difference - started right up. Now after the recall, it's a little longer when cold, but really longer when warm. For example, I can be at full operating temperature for a while, shut it down for 30 minutes while in a store, try to start it and it takes substantially longer - at least 5 to 10 seconds.

Weird.

 

I had the same issue after the recall, startups taking longer than usual. Took a 270 mi. road trip and after I had made 250 mi. the car lost power. Just up and died. Turns out my ignition coils burned up or some such. This two days after I had gotten the car back for the recall retune and new cat. I'm not the happiest person right now considering the car is at a dealership 300 mi. away because they didn't have the part in stock. Won't see it for a week.

 

Had my recall(s) done 2 days ago. No startup change. I did ping today pretty badly (could feel the timing being pulled). The dealer filled the gas tank, with probably cheap gas, and who knows what octane. I was at WOT in 2nd at about 45-50mph going uphill in a tight corner, and it's about 25 degrees colder today than it has been, so maybe it's something else. But my money's on bad gas. I'll just take it easy and burn through this tank, and see what happens on the next.

 

Same problem here. The best flash by far to date was the S flash, got my best gas mileage and the car noticeably started a LOT better and stronger, to the point where I wondered if they had swapped in the new starter without telling me (they didn't). Now my 8's back to the same old somewhat flaky starts as before.

I have the 4 speed AT, and also noticed that up until getting the S flash, I would occasionally have a problem with revs suddenly jumping up another 500 RPMs right during the 2-3 shift when in the sportronic mode. The S flash seemingly eliminated the problem and I never once had this happen with the S flash, but with the new flash, that stupid rev spike up is back again.

 

Ditto (except for the pugs).

 

Same issue here after the recall. I wouldn't say it is a problem, but it just takes a couple more rotations to get it firing than before.

 

My car has had the battery/starter/plugs TSB done. And yup - since the new flash it has been MUCH slower to start. One time I cranked it and it literally took 15 seconds to fire - AFTER I released the key. I cranked it...the engine turned over - I released, because it didn't sound like it would fire...whomp...whomp...sputter...whomp...varoom.

:-/