silver04

Well the ole girl just wouldn't turn over today...March of next year will be her second birthday. I just turned 6,000 on the odometer...Seems like I never get to drive her....But when I do,,,,always resorts in a trip to the dealership...They have replaced my spark plugs,,4 times,,changed the oil,,,3 times,,..They tell me I don't drive enough. To be honest if I'd known about the little quirks the rotary up-keep was....probably would have bought something else.. To bad...suspension is finally dialed in,,Tein Green,,,oh well,,,shocks are awesome,,even though Koni's are orange,,,I could stare at my Carbon Fiber strut tower for hours...,,wish my sway bars were Carbon and not racing beat Red,,,love my drilled rotors...Revi rocks,,,Greedy sounds sweet and low,,,The Colors of Beneton you could say...It all looks so good,,,,,,,,,,sitting at the dealership,,,not running,,,...Just can't bring my self to sell it...YET.. That Sunlight Siver has me like a dear in the headlights...Anyway, anyone else put the key in...and no start? Sounds like she wants to turn over..cranks...smell major fuel...and nothing...

The RX-8

Make sure you have the new battery (660 CCA?) and make sure to rev the engine to 9000 RPM for about 30 seconds every time you drive it.

Spin9k

DITTO..^^^ delaers (should) know about hard start TSB with new hi-juice battery, faster spin starter, etc - should fix her up.

javahut

I have a "no start" problem. I have one of the 1st across the pond. Had it about 2 years 3 1/2 months. Never any problems starting. Then 11/3/2005, took it to the wash at lunch break, kept it running through the drive thru to get some lunch, parked it in the lot at work. Got in it to go home that afternoon and... nothing. All the electronics worked fine... remote, windows, radio, dash light, but turning the key got no sound whatsoever. Did notice the "key light" flashing on the dash when I turned the ignition. Had to have it towed to the dealer (first time ever having it towed). The dealer called asking if I'd noticed anything unusual before it happened... nope... worked perfect right up until it wouldn't start. They said it appears the car no longer recognizes the key (hence the flashing "key light" on the dash). Mazda tech support told them to change out the key control unit. They did that... still no worky.

So they still have the car to this day... (9th business day). And they still say they can't figure out what the problem is. Everything Mazda tech support tells 'em to try hasn't worked. Anyone got any ideas?

Nubo

1 - do you have the latest flash?

2 - Forget the Mazda battery, even the new one. Since you drive infrequently I'd strongly suggest the Optima Yellow-top group35 battery. It will deal better with your extended downtimes and fully recover from any deep drains from sitting and/or extended cranks. It maintains its voltage better through discharge curve so you'll still get decent cranking rpm even if it's drained a bit. Search the DIY for install info.

3 - the new version of the starter is supposed to have somewhat better cranking rpm. Cranking rpm is very important in starting a rotary.

4 - newer versions of the spark plugs have slots to help prevent fuel pooling in the nose.

5 - since you've had so many floods, the catalytic converter should be carefully checked; sudden light-off of raw fuel can damage the ceramic matrix and cause it to break and clog

6 If you plan on leaving it sit for more than 3 weeks or so, get a "battery tender" or similar device to keep the battery from completely draining. Electronics on the car consume current (up to 20 mA) even while it's off.