BHR Ignition Wires and Check Engine Light
 

Hey all.

So my ignition wires came in tonight from BHR (the MSD wires) and I decided to put them in. I've done it before, so I knew what I was doing. However, after putting the airbox back in at the end I forgot to plug in the two wire harnesses on the accordion tube. I then proceeded to try and start the car (3 times) before I realized my stupid mistake. I then connected the wire harnesses and started the car - it started perfect. Idle is completely normal and steady. Hardly any vibration. I let it warm up and gave it some revs and it revs completely normal. However, the dreaded check engine light has come on solid. Should I just do the 20 break stomp reset and drive around to let it relearn my trims and such or could this be something more major?

It's a stock 2004 with 38K miles.

reset it.

Great, thanks for the prompt reply. I'll post back after I reset + drive.

I can't get the 20 brake stomp to work.. Any ideas?

I take that back, I got it. Te check engine light refuses to go away though

have the code scanned. It's possible that it's completely unrelated...
However, I will say that a few drive cycles should clear it

Unhook the battery for about 20 minutes(you can depress the brake pedal, that will bleed it off faster) and then start it up. If it's still there, then have the code read and see what it is. The 20 brake pedal stomp will NOT clear a check engine light.

But.......if you unhook the battery you will have to do the TCS/DCS reset.

^Thanks Maz! I completely missed that the NVRAM method was used :doh:

I was like......WTF? I know he knows better that that! lol


Now, he will probably stall the first couple of stops as all he really did was reset the fuel trims.

Happy N00b Year to you too

At least he's now done the reset, and will know how to do it in the future :cwm27:

:wavey:

I thought the 20 break stomp cleared the KAM, which doesn't house the fuel trim info. Please correct me if Im wrong. Also, instead of unhooking the battery, can't you just push the odo button down and hold it while you turn the key to "on" until it says "Test?" I think I read that resets the NVRAM without losing radio presets and what not.

I'll go and get the code read tomorrow if the light persists through the 20 min drive to town. Thanks for your help guys

Might want to read through this post: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/real-way-clear-memory-169443/.

Oh, damn. Thanks for sending that my way. Suppose it's time to help my car relearn some things then.

Got the code read. MAF and IAT caused it, which is to be expected. Everything is in tip-top shape now.

Though I feel I should point out the 20 break stomp (verified by the oil pressure gauge) did nothing to my fuel trims, nor anything else noticable. Although gear changes seem much more crisp.

Anyways thanks again for the help.

il revive this thread since im experiencing similar problems. Installed the BHR coils, plug wires and new spark plugs. It was actually my first attempt at ever doing any work on the car. The installation went fine, started her up the first time and everything was smooth. Let the engine heat up to normal, revved a bit to see the improvements then shut her off. Today when i go out to drive, i see the CEL which wasnt there the first time. Then im worried if my installation wasnt correct or if any of the spark plugs/coils werent connected properly. Just to be sure, the car wont start/drive if one/two plugs or coils arent connected properly right?

il get the code checked but il have to see if anyone has an OBD2 scanner. The car drives totally fine but i didnt push it much. Slow acceleration to 7k a few times was smooth but sometimes gets a little rough on idle. Any help is highly appreciated.

Just go through, double check your plug wires and that your plugs are seated correctly.

Check all connectors and the ground most importantly. Make sure your ground is cleanly installed.

After that i would do the 20 brake stomp to clear everything and let it relearn with the new setup. (google RX8club 20 brake pedal stomp)

Still get the code read to be sure.

Hope that helps

Travis

There wasnt any clear instruction on how to install the ground except for where. I basically unscrewed the grounding nut, put the grounding wire through it and tightened the nut back in again. Il check all the connections again in the morning and see if a few drive cycles changes anything. Also know about the 20 brake stomp and come back with any results. Thanks

Hi charles. the codes came up as P0351 to P0354 so im shaking those off as a no problem. but something i dont get is i havent really seen much of a difference in performance aside from a noticeable increase in mileage. i still have the old problem of hesitation in acceleration during the low ranges from 1k-4k rpm. full throttle it takes about 3 bursts to get from 1k-2k, 2k-3k and then finally 3k-4k onwards. was sure they were because of the coils but now that ive changed them with new plugs, im not sure whats causing this.

mods ive done so far: aem intake, bhr midpipe, autoexe catback, exedy hypersingle with lightweight flywheel. will appreciate any help i can get. thanks.

I've read some aftermarket CAIs can affect the MAF sensor.
Did it run good since the intake install?
Just spitballing here.

Thanks for the reply charles. ive sent you an email. get back to me at your convenience :)