4g63mightymax

Hello all! My name is Jeremy, I'm in Massachusetts, and I just bought myself a salvage title / fresh water flood damaged 05 RX8 for a little project. Initially I just want to clean it all up and get it running & driving. From there, who knows....

After 1 day of ownership, and 2.5 hours of quality time with the new toy, here is what I got so far:

2005 Mazda RX8, 6-speed, apparently had 8 inches of water inside it. Judging by the line on the back of the seats, I would say that is a good estimate. The headlights, directionals, taillights, interior lights, horn, sunroof, power windows and locks, seat heaters, and blower motor all currently work. However, the engine does not turn over with the key. If I jump the starter relay, the engine definitely spins, but it doesn't have any spark. When I turn the key to the run position, the security light flashes quickly, then goes out, then flashes once - pauses - and flashes 6 times, and repeats. I assume this is a code 16, which means my keyless entry module isn't communicating with my PCM/ECU/ECM (whatever you prefer to call it.)

Any help on this issue would be spectacular, I will gladly return the favor with great pictures of the entire build and pleasant conversation! Anyways, here are some pictures....







Step one: Strip it and dry it all out!











Step two: Figure out why the security immobilizer is preventing me from starting the car. It appears to be a code 16 from what I can tell. I tried reprogramming the one key that I have, and I got the locks to cycle and everything, but the still engine won't turn over. Next I am going make sure everything is plugged in and dry, and go from there. Feel free to share any ideas that you may have!

Thanks guys, I am happy to be part of another automotive community.

-Jeremy

Spin9k

Cool ... you have a whole car to play with! Would you mind saying what you paid for such a jewel (or PM)? On the starting thing...You might not have the correct key, perhaps it was lost and this is just any key. You could turn off the immobilizer bit in the ECU then any key will start it I believe. I think a Cob flasher will do this for you. Might check that out.

Are you going to try to make a DD or a track car? I'm prob close being in NH and would be glad to offer any support I could. PM me if interested.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Now THIS RX8 is "flooded"
Sorry... couldn't resist.

But in seriousness, water could have gotten into the engine.
I would remove the spark plugs, remove the fuel relay, push in the accelerator pedal and start the car.
This will spin the rotors and remove anything inside the chambers, rather that be water and/or stale gas, without adding more fuel in.
Then I would purchase new spark plugs.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Here is what I found in the shop manual about the Security Light 16 error:

cjkim

thats a pretty awesome project
do i hear stripped out track monster?
good luck, subscribed

4g63mightymax

Spin9k - New Hampshire huh? I am about 1 mile from there I will let you know when I need some assistance. Since I am new to rotormotors, could somebody with the cobb magic arrive at my house, turn off my immobilizer and walk away? Or is that just wishful thinking? Naturally I would like to not spend $600 if I can prevent it. I could provide beer and/or coffee !


Jon316G - If I could spin the engine with the key to clear it out, I would love to do so. Sadly that is not an option at the moment. However. The oil is definitely used, and at the correct level, along with all of the other fluid levels, so I assume that the engine didnt suck in water. I am going to be changing all the fluids this weekend though.

cjkim - Although I would love to turn this into a track car, I purchased it for my fiance so that she has a cool car to drive around. My "track car" is my 1989 Dodge Ram 50 (Mightymax) with a turbocharged DOHC 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse 4G63 engine in it. My daily driver is a 2000 Galant that I put a 5 speed manual transmission in because they all came as automatics from the factory.... But those vehicles are for another post, this one is for the RX8 wooohoo!

Keep the ideas coming guys so that I can get this running this weekend. Thanks in advance!

-Jeremy

13bturbofc

i would say the water was probably high enough to submerge the keyless entry module a little above the passenger kick panel. it sounds to me like the reason its not starting is a security/electric problem. but not sure why the locks would work if that was destroyed..

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

That was just a general suggestion... not related to your current starting issue with the security unit.
Sorry... should have clarified.

4g63mightymax

Excellent point. Does keyless entry work without the keyless entry module working 100%? I would assume not. I wonder if there is some kind of fused connection between that and the ECU that toasted? Good thinking! Now I just need to see a wiring diagram of the Ignition > Keyless Entry Module > ECU.

Oh yes, we will get this running this weekend. I will do a celebratory burn out in the driveway with pictures if we pull it off.

-Jeremy

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Ask and you shall receive!

G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY

iTrader: (8)

i have some clean interior pieces :P

4g63mightymax

Jon316G - Thanks for the diagrams! That should get me started


Well, it sounds like you might be my new friend! How deep do you get for interior parts? Like an interior firewall pad for example?


UPDATE: Now that I look at this, I notice that the trunk lid opener cancel switch, and the power seat have something to do with this. Neither of those worked. However, I bunch of other stuff attached to this module Does work.... The horn, courtesey lights, locks, instrument cluster, etc.

What is the Keyless Receiver? Is that the piece in the steering column?

Hmmmmm, I can't wait to play with this again tomorrow!

-Jeremy

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

just an idea and a possible---the fuse box(one in engine bay) has a fuse marked as "engine" . Sometimes with cars have been down a while and the juice is finally turned back on this fuse has been know to blow. happened to me. erverything worked but the engine bay seemed like it had no power. its a blade fuse---just do a quick check.
olddragger

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

thats a nice project you've got there. with a little time and patience it'll be one nice car! how much water was in the car?

4g63mightymax

olddragger - That is an interesting point. Saturday, I am going to open this car up to let the air dry it out a bit. Then I am going to dielectric grease every connection and re-check every fuse. I am beginning to wonder if there is a blown fuse someplace causing these wierd issues. As odd as this may sound, I LOVE this kind of stuff. I can't wait to mess with it again.

mazdaverx7 - I don't REALLY know how much water, but I was told that it was ~8 inches. I believe that number based on some water marks I have found. To be honest though, I don't care that much how much water it had. It will all be sorted out, and fixed. I plan on keeping the car for a while, so resale price isn't a concern either. When I eventually get bored with it, I will just have to turn it into a race car! I think me and the RX8 have a long relationship ahead of us. I just hope it can keep up with my truck....

-Jeremy

13bturbofc

just out of curiousity, how much did you pay for this?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Unless the flood actually killed the PCM/Keyless entry module. You probably just need to re-program.

Tow your car to a dealership, they can program your key in less than 5 minutes(yeah they'll charge u like an hour of labor, but I think thats worth it)

Not to mention, u can also tell them to check for the recall flash while in process, which is a free update.

oh yes Im curious about how much u paid for that baby too. Fresh water is ok IMO. as long as nothing was "short" in the process.

4g63mightymax

Hi guys,
Right now I am airing out and charging the RX8. Hopefully I can get this immobilizer situation 100% diagnosed this weekend.

As for the price.....hmmm.... Well, this is where I bought it, but I didn't pay what they were asking.... I will let you guys chew on that for a bit.

http://www.clascars.com/2020applicat...del&boolean=OR

-Jeremy

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I knew it, I knew it was something in the 4K range.

thats a STEAL man, part the parts out u probably make more than that !

4g63mightymax

Quick update:

When I turn the key to the run position, I dont see any of these lights:
- coolant temp
- oil
- battery
- check engine
- odometer
- e-brake

Anybody got a wiring diagram for the instrument cluster? OR Does anybody know if all of these things are on the same fuse / circuit / etc?

Thanks!

-Jeremy

Spin9k

check your email, or check your pm

4g63mightymax

Spins9K - > You have a PM.

I also noticed that the center display doesnt turn on, and the instrument cluster doesnt light up when you turn on the headlights.

more to come.....

-Jeremy

4g63mightymax

Spins9k - I cannot thank you enough for those PDF's. They should help tremendously.

Today is a new day, and I am having another crack at it. I think rather than trying to make the immobilizer happy, I am just going to outsmart it with good old fashion theivery-type tricks. I wanna hear the car run, and if I can prove the immobilizer is the reason why it doesn't, then I will just take it to the dealer and have them make me some new keys and program the heck out of it.

Sadly I am beginning to wonder if the instrument cluster is dead because of its lack of idiot lights. By the end of the day, I will know....

Anybody got any new thoughts for me?

-Jeremy

Spin9k

Jeremy - I doubt you will outsmart the ECU, the immobilizer is there just for that reason - friendly suggestion - stay focused on getting the car going in a straightforward fashion, i.e., the way the car should be. Trying to outsmart the (very tricky) ECU programming when even 'in the know' people can't do that without reporgramming tools, will just waste your time and if you hurt the ECU in the process, you'll (really) be dead in the water (no pun intended)!

Otherwise hack away...

4g63mightymax

I definitely appreciate the advice! I really just need a way to determine what the REAL problem is. If I could "mickey mouse" it together just enough to start and run the engine, then I know that the immobilizer is really the problem, and not something else.

Sadly, after several more hours in the stupidly cold wind, I have gotten nowhere. I think I may contact the previous owner and ask if they have the other keys for the car. A 2nd key for this specific car may allow me to reprogram the keys properly to get rid of this stupid security light. I really dont want to resort to towing this to a dealer to buy and reprogram the keys unless I am sure that will help.

So for today, I'm spent. I followed power and grounds all around today, and I can make the key turn the engine over if I try, but still no spark....

So, I humbly ask for advice.... any thoughts?

-Jeremy