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.