my horrible first two days owning an rx8 (power steering problem currently)
 

Bought the car two days ago.

2005 rx8 64k mi.

First had a starting problem the second day of owning it in which was resolved and was due to the button behind the clutch not fully engaging. After being stuck in the rain for a few hours figured that out.

While trying to trouble shoot this problem I disconnected the battery to clean terminals because of slight corrosion that I now noticed the battery is leaking acid. Checked with multi meter and battery is fine.

Got car started and now the steering icon with the exclamation mark is now present with no power steering.

I informing the previous owner and he told me to check the power steering fluid. ( in which I thought was funny)

Then he informed me he had replaced the what he called the (ecu for powersteering)

For the day I had it running good I loved the car handles like a dream.

Any ideas or suggestions would help me out a lot.

I looked up some suggestions and all I could find is cleaning the electrical connections.

Also was considering by-passing the button that the clutch hits when starting any ideas or adivice on that.

Thanks,
Vince

reset power steering.

https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...-reset-232098/

https://www.google.com/search?q=rx8+...w=1374&bih=960

every time you disconnect the battery you need to reset the PS and DSC.

look up a diy on changing a battery for the correct procedure, but it is something like...

turn acc on, turn the steering wheel all the way left then all the way right then turn off then turn the engine on and it should come back on.

im not sure 100% if that is the procedure, i have not done it in a while but it is something like that..


EDIT: damn, paimon.sorror beat me to it.

doubleEDIT: the previous owner you bought it from is a dumbass.. from their response they know nothing about the rx8.. i would go ahead and assume he rarely checked his oil/ did not get it replaced at regular intervals and probably hasnt changed the coils plugs and wires out yet.

i would go ahead and do that now.

Vince there are a few different possibilities here. Let's start with the most simple one. Every time you disconnect the battery your traction control will be off. All you have to do is drive the car around (take a few turns) and the light will go away. Another thing you can do, according to the manual, is turn the key to on position and turn your steering wheel left and right (not sure about the exact process as I am not currently looking at the manual but it is something like that).

Second, maybe your connections are dirty (perhaps due to a coolant overflow) and need to be cleaned. Third, your harness might be bad and needs to be changed.

Here is some info on the last two possibilities: https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...-light-221639/

Ugggghhhhh....Paimon soror comes first, EricB second, me third :crying:

Thanks all to the fast responses.

I got a nissan as well and been on zilvia.net a lot but your guys quick responses on this forum are awesome.

It actually doesn't have traction control it is a sport.

I simply cleaned the connections as noted and disconnected battery again and put it back on and it worked!

Thanks again really appreciate it!

Also, definitely doing plugs, coils, wires and changing oil.

any websites I can order these parts from or the common autozone or o'reilly's the best option?

As far as oil I am so confused.

I've researched a lot and everyone contradicts each other from no way don't use synthetic to use synthetic.

Always just used mobil 1 synthetic any suggestions?

Thanks again!

Vince

Reading the owner's manual is a good idea.

Also a guy at a rotory specialist informed me I need a new tank for the coolant and also suggested draining the anti-freeze and just use distilled water?

Thoughts?

i say stop posting and start reading .... you are asking questions that have been answered a billion times. Not to mention you should fill out your sig and profile to tell us exactly where you live and details of the car for the future.

^+1

Use the search function or google your question adding :rx8club. You will be linked to all the relevant posts. People give quick responses here but you also need to put some effort trying to find an answer to your questions.

Asking for an opinion on oil won't get you any farther here than what you already found. Everyone STILL has a different opinion on oil choice.

Only used straight distilled water if (AND ONLY IF!) you either do not experience any freezing temperatures, or you can add in an anti-freeze mix to prevent it from freezing during the winter months.

Freezing point of water with straight water in your system means a frozen solid block, burst coolant lines, and probably a busted engine.


See the sigs in my thread, they will help you greatly. One even has the basics of what you need to know in order to pick your oil.

really?? when i had to replace my battery about a week ago the DSC and PS lights came on, turned off the car and started it back up and everything went back to normal.

I wouldn't use straight water even distilled water. Antifreeze has corrosion inhibitors in it for a reason. Switch to Evans NNP if you want some security. Its higher boiling point should prevent cooking coolant seals if you overheat. Otherwise just use plain 50/50.

you should stop getting advise from this so called "rotary specialist"

street car is not a race car. even if ur car never sees freezing temp and you change it every 100 miles or so (which I doubt ANYONE would), it will RUST. and Pure H2O is bad for water pumps. shouldn't the specialist knew about that?

you'd think right.

will use search more.

Thanks again!

Vince

hey guys
i hope some one can help me with this problem i am having

so i just bought a RX8 and in my second day im experiencing a power steering problem where my icon come on and my powering steering don't work. how ever this problem comes on and off once i fiddle with the starting of my vehicle can any one tell me the problem

Have you tried looking at these links and following the procedures?