04 RX8 Error: P0336
 

I keep having this code come up in my 04 RX8. It says crank sensor needs to be replaced etc. So I replaced it with a new one. The same thing happens. The check engine light comes on. I start to crank my car sometimes and it takes forever for it to crank then eventually it will crank, thus error comes up. It'd driving me nuts. It only happens when the engine wont crank. Envenually it will crank though. I dont know what the problem is. Help:banghead:

check the main ground under the airbox on the sheetmetal-ish cross member. clean the ground spot with sandpaper, clean the metal connector on the wire and then bolt it back down.

make sure the Crank sensor plugs is fully clipped in.

the code and your problem starting are related.

also make sure the tone wheel is on the back of the crank pulley and isnt bent or anything.

kevin.

What is the tone wheel? And you saying the ground wire is underneath my intake box on that piece of metal?

Hmmm I'm having the same exact issue. Tried everything suggested, except the tone wheel, tried looking at diagrams, having trouble figuring out where it is. Help :(

i had the same problem and i replaced mine too.. twice! so i just got a new starter and now it starts wit no problem at all.

sorry, tone wheel is behind crank pulley, it's what the crank sensor "sees",also known as "eccentric shaft position plate"

here's all possible causes of your code:
Eccentric shaft position sensor malfunction
Connector or terminal malfunction
Eccentric shaft position sensor is dirty
Eccentric shaft position plate malfunction
PCM malfunction

find a factory service manual, FSM, to find how to test each. The ground thing i mentioned earlier, for some reason i cant find the info about it so Im thinking it may be for a different code i confused in my mind, sorry.

My personal opinion? Dirty/loose connector at crank sensor or high resistance in one of the wires. Since the car eventually starts the crank sensor is having intermittent issues (needs a crank signal to start, no crank signal = no spark/fuel), if the car doesnt start all then most likely you have an open circuit or really bad connection for the crank sensor, if not a faulty crank sensor.

worst case scenario is PCM(highly doubt it), technically the PCM is always worst case in most electrical circuit issues though.

kevin.

Thanks for the insight tek, I'm gona try everything you suggested tomorrow. *fingers crossed*

I took the advice below above, I changed the starter, and it fixed the problem. It does not take a long time at all for it to turn over now.
Thanks!!!:)

check engine light is gone now?

Yes, the check engine light is off now. The starter was causing the light to come on for the crank sensor.

wow. that doesnt make any sense, but as long as it fixed it.

kevin.

I can kinda see it...
The starter turns the flywheel which is connected to the eccentric shaft.
So if the starter is too weak, which lessens the rotations, and the E-shaft positioning sensor doesn't read enough pulses within its tolerance, it 'should' throw a code.
Never heard of it before, but I can visualize it.

Nice avatar Jon!

Now that you mention it, it does make some sense.

yeah, the speed of the starter was still the same as this new one. I think it may have been missing some teeth somewhere, and after a while it just finally caught. These starters are weak.

very true.

I'm having the same issue, except It seems my problem is when I don't start it for a period of time. (1 or so hours) If I drive to my local walmart (fully warms up) go inside quick to get my random crap, come back out it fires right up. But, in the morning when I'm ready to go to work. It takes some time and loving to get her to start up again. Any ideas?

P0336 sucking life out of me
 

hi,
i just bought 04 rx 8, within a week i had engine replavement on dealers expence as it was stalling, he covered that under recall due on this vehilcles. But now i have thi p0336 coming up i cleared the code couple of times but it keeps coming back after two three weeks. i read ur thread got the crank shaft sensor checked and the all the terminals cleaned.
it has only been three days the engine check is back on again showing p0336. it already have upgraded starter motor when i bought it. i dont know wht is going on, it starts up pretty good every time but every so offeten usually first thing in the morning it takes it time to crank up and straight after that it shows the code
i am just guessing it is starter, howevr i am bit worried because couple of weeks aga i was driving it pretty aggressively and redlined it for 10-15 sec hopefully that hasnt triggered any thing..........
it will be great if some can suggest anything as i just dont want pay dealer another visit and dish out odd $200
:scratchhe

Hard to start when cold.

Look at your connection for the battery.

I bet your battery is old.

Remember they updated the battery size.

If you are in cold country make sure you get a 750 CC Amp battery.

Also, plugs get fouled over time so you may be getting a weak spark.

If its not the battery as Razz1 suggested...

I would first clear the NVRAM to reset the eshaft profile:
1) Turn the key to the 'ON' position (do not start car).
2) Rapidly press brake pedal 20x within 8sec.
3) The oil pressure gauge needle will sweep to the middle and back down indicating the NVRAM was cleared.
4) Turn key to the 'OFF' position, then start car.

I think should be something the dealer would cover since they just replace the engine.
If resetting the NVRAM doesn't clear it, I would see if they bent the positioning plate somehow.
Maybe even clean the surface of the eshaft (which would be unlikely, but worth ruling out).

P0336 sucking life out of me
 

I have cleared pcm three four times but it didnot work, i had terminals cleaned and sensor checked from dealer so i am hopping he has cleaned the shaft surface and checked position plate aswell,

as razz suggested it could be battery because when i bought it from mistubushi dealer he had installed mistubushi battery and yes i am in cold place to be north canada...............but it is summer time like today in morning temprature way 16 and raining, i have to crank it up twice. i will try changing battery any suggestions on battery i am new to rotaries ...............always wanted one so still getting familiar with systems.

Sounds like a starter issue. When I had the problem, the car would crank fine sometimes, but other times it would take a min. But if it took over normal time to crank and the light came on. Replace the starter. Go to Autozone, and get one. They have a GOLD which is new and others that have been rebuilt before. They all come with a lifetime warranty. Get one of those. Cause they go out often on some motors. Replace the starter.

P0336
 

thanks for your help guys, really appretiated

at least i kow now its starter or battery one of these but i have to wait till i get paid next week to sort it out. my problem is exactly like anoble 1, as it crank ok sometime but other times it just through the code. i will start from battery though as i bought car second hand it has only 450cc battery in it. if that didnot solve the issue then starter.................

Thanks once again :fingersx:

Let us know if what you did worked...

Thanks

P0336
 

hi,

as you requested finally changed batter to optima red, took me some time to get hold of this particular battery not every one carries it. everyone tried to sell me some next brand, have to order it from net. got it last saturday and replaced it same day. no code so far i am hoping it stays like that and i dont have to change the starter.

thanks once again on all your input...................

manny

Subscribing to thread. I am having the same issue that Noble has described and the CEL is inconsistent. After I check the sensor grounds and connections I am going to try the starter as the battery is fairly new.

Very thankful this thread is here.

Yes most probably the starter and not the ESPS.

Yup, going with the starter. Noble, any issues with your Autozone starter? They have one in stock but wasn't so sure about product quality.

How much?

Autozone I think has 2 kinds. A regular starter and a gold starter. The golds are brand new. The regular's are remanufactured. I always bought the cheap ones. They BOTH have a lifetime warranty. They are really easy to change out(under 10 min). I think the regular was $160?

Btw, probably go with the gold if you don't want to put a new one on every few months.

Let me know how it goes

After I give my old starter to them, $105.

No golds in stock. Not a big deal though. Another member here has had an Autozone starter for over a year now and no issues. Says he paid only $160 which is what I would pay if I were not returning my old starter.

I'll let everyone know how it goes.

HA! OK then... no new starter needed. I had mine ordered and was ready to go get it so I went underneath my car to grab the old starter so I can turn it when I bought the replacement. Well I get under there and turns out the main power source to the starter wasn't bolted down. It was still connected, just not bolted.

Well anyways, I got the appropriate bolt and tightened it down. First start up, perfect and immediate and no code. Not wanting to let the car flood I let her run a while. Came back out, second start... immediate and no code. Just to be sure I just tried it again and guess what? No issue.

That has got to be the cheapest easiest fix I have done to Kasumi yet. Imagine my facepalm as soon as I saw the bolt missing. Oh well... at least she is fixed right?

How long have you had "AutoZone" starter in? I need to change mine TODAY & I'm stuck on the AutoZone $115 starter or the Mazda $400+ starter!!! Dealership said I NEED theirs but I think its b.s. so just wanna check on others experiences. (my diagnostics reads bad crankshaft) Thanks :)

05 rx8
 

Hello Anoble,

Thanks for sharing the information. I have recently bought 2005 model Mazda RX8. When I bought the car it came with the CEL - Crank Shaft positioning sensor. So the guy gave me offer on the price and sold me for a good deal. Later I have replaced the Crankshaft positioning sensor, Battery, Ignition coil, HT leads and spark plugs but still the CEL wouldn't go and the car cranks and takes 6-10 seconds to start (same way as you said). I an very close to get rid the car despite the fact I love the look and ride.
Can you please advice if I risk the last try of replacing the starter motor?

Your advice is more welcome.

Thanks in advance
Nithin

04 60K with new engine
 

Hey I am having a very similar problem. I happened after my engine was replaced.

Here are the stats on the car
New Engine at 59K
New Battery at 59K (group 35 bosch good for 640 CCA)
New Catalytic at 59K
New Coils at 59K
Currently at 60K

Preformed a NVRAM reset a few times.

When i try to start the car in weather below 40 it can take 2 to 3 full 8 to 10 second cranks before it starts. Then it throws the CEL (P0336)

Once it starts it is fine

Brought it to the dealer and the did the TSB for that code. Still the same problem.

I still have the original starter.

Should i replace the starter? Or do you think there could be another problem.

hey guys i had same issue. i live in winnipeg (canada). i had 2004 36k, engine, radiator, coils replaced on dealers expence when i bough it. for first wk or so it was all good but all of sudden this code comes up. took it dealer there changed sensor and cleaned few wire terminals for starter as [it could be rust or some thing. first week it was then again code ..............

i was geting pissed off. so i changed battery aswell and i nstalled optima red thinking its drawing more. two weeks all good then one day cell was back . the only thing left was starter .............................? asked few places i simply didnt had cash left on me. i did tried resets and stuff nothing work.

i just kept driving it but driving as hard as could as i pissed off ....after 2-3 weeks it went never come back that was in fall. now may be your ecu is just trying to learn itself .....................after engine replacement and it probably take longer or may be crank shaft was off in alignment and aligned itself .................i dont know..............

-40 it start like charm every single day ........................and drives better than my old front wheel honda

05 rx8
 

Hi,

I had the similar issue other than the fact I did not replace the engine. I changed Battery, Crank Shaft Positioning Sensor, CAT, Ignition coils and Spark Plugs but still it threw the same error and the car wasn't reliable. I got the stage of frustration and complete embarrassment So I decided to give a last try of replacing the stated and I got to say it changed the whole world up side down. I am very happy as after the starter motor - Model N3z1 replace I did a reset and the CEL disappeared.

The new starter was little expensive but worth every penny. Happy days :)

Regards

@pyroshock
Try replacing the starter. I think they have went down in price a little. Sounds like that is the problem. You never get a code for the starter. I wish I could give you audio of what it sounds like when the starter is going out. It just keeps turning over and over till it catches and cranks. Try autozone or somewhere where you can get a "Lifetime Warranty" on the starter. Make sure it has one. Also, these are extremely EASY to change, try do it yourself.

@manny_rx8
Did your car take a ling time to turn over? If so, did it throw the code after it took a long time to crank? I noticed that some days my starter would work and other days it wouldn't that well, till it left me stranded for about 15 minutes. That's when I bought one. You may even be able to return it if it doesn't fix it. Also, sometimes when they even test the starter, the starter will test "OK". I don't know why, but try a new one. :dunno:

@mycarRX8
Sorry for getting back to you late, Glad it worked. Some of those stupid starters I bought went out in a matter of months. So I had to take them back and replace them. It should have came with a lifetime warranty, so you should be in good shape.

I'm getting the P0336 code along with a V0100(haven't found it on here yet)

Car is an 04 AT with 44,XXX miles on it. I have a thread dedicated to this stupid problem.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/cel-again-213074/

Does anyone have any light to shed on my situation? Any help is MUCH MUCH appreciated

Anyone had anymore problems, even after a new starter?

Just curious, what people have done to
"fix" the problem.

I posted what happened above. I needed to bolt the power source cable to my starter. It had become loose. Once I did that, no code or issues.

That code for me was starter related. .20¢ fix :)

Yea. I noticed the 2nd page after I posted. Whops ; ) Kinda Weird. Our cars seem to be very sensitive.

Let me throw some more information in this thread. I have received the Engine Light code. After replacing the starter, it seemed to be fixed. Thus maybe a temp. fix. The real problem mine had was LOW COMPRESSION. If your car cannot shut off, and crank right up in a 10 minute range with no problems. Then check the compression. It's usually your APEX seals. They go bad a lot.:eek:

Crank shaft sensor a
 

My rx8 is having a crank shaft position mal function, but no problem with starting. Although while idling it did however idle sporadically but not for long. Help? :(

I would probably take it off and clean it up a little. Maybe clean the terminals up.

I have to ask:

Did you not read this whole thread?

They all seem to have the same two solutions to this code:

Replace the starter.
Replace the battery.

One person got under his car, and found out the main wire leading to his starter was loose, so you might even want to start there.

Congrats on finding the thread during a search, now keep going, and try to fix your car.

BC.

Or, the "Tone" is not locked...
Make sure the crank position sensor plate is keyed to the crank(eccentric), as it should be.

missing bolt for crankshaft sensor
 

i went to change out my crankshaft sensor and realized I misplaced the bolt to bolt it back down. wondering where I can get another.

Problems starting
 

What's up everybody I have an 04 rx8 6speed,currently having problems starting,I replaced starter,sparkplugs,ignition/starter relays & battery,it use to start when cold after hesitating for a while but now after replacing this things it only starts by push starting it,any ideas what else I could try?? Thanks

?
 

where did you get your starter? and what kind was it? i just replaced mine and it still doesnt crank right. getting a po336 code.