Spare Tire Compressor Cord Fail, Check Yours
 

Never seen anything like this before, you need to check yours.

I have a 2004 RX8. I needed to use the flat tire compressor today. Nothing dramatic, just a very slow leak. It is apparent the kit has never been used. The cord still had the tie wrap around it. When I straightened the cord, the insulation broke off at every bend that was straightened except for 2. I could see the conductors in gaps that ranged from 1/8 inch to almost an inch. The entire cord was shot.

I was able to lay out the cord with none of them touching, and add air to the tire, but cannot imagine if I had needed to use it in the dark. Check yours!! I will be hitting Lowes for more wire this weekend to replace the entire thing. As a stop gap, it took almost an entire roll of electrical tape to just seal the gaps once I got home.

On a happier note, the pump does work quite well.

Check yours!

Mike

8 year old cord. mines fine since its only 3 year old car.

still should not perish, it should last 20 years!

Exellent pump, with a very shitty cord.

What you experienced is called "dry rot" and it happens to a lot of rubber, plastic & nylon items, especially the cheaper variants of those materials.

I've been lucky, my 5YO cord still looks good, but I know of other RX-8 owners that have had to re-wire their air pump as well.

Sounds like a DIY, I will take pictures during mine.

Now, to find some pretty wire... Or, at least some wire that will not interact with the plastic from the pump housing or itself.

That sucks to hear, hope my cord lasts I love that little compressor. :s