Can bad spark plugs throw a CEL?
 

Hey everyone,

I purchased my 2004 RX8 6sp at 29k a year ago, 38k now and everything has been great, well a learning experience, but good to say the least.

About a month ago my engine had flooded and I used the pump method to get it to fire. After that the acceleration in high rpm's has been rather shaky and rough, esp in 3rd gear on.

My thoughts on the matter is I fried what was left of one of my spark plugs. To counter this I am ordering BHR's Ignition kit with plugs to replace my OEM ones, just for the fact it is time for me to do that maintenance (according to Mazda). I really dont think this maintenance has been done prior. I havent been running the car as hard as I used to while waiting on the kit, esp with the plug issue.

So, tonight I took my car out to the video store and no CEL going in, but when I came out and started her up, there it was...... oddly enough I didnt notice anything wrong at all on the way home, its been performing just as it has been. I did notice however a LOT more backfiring, while sitting idle revving to about 5k, it would backfire 4-5 times as it dropped to idle.

I love my baby and am concerned and curious to see if someone knew the answer to my issue already or am I going to have to go the stealership for this? Can bad spark plugs throw a CEL?

oh, my only aftermarket mod has been recent a Greddy Spectrum Elite exhuast that I waited a whole month for on back order....

Thanks to all that take the time to read this and offer any feedback on my issue.

Derek

Up. You will get a engine light and when you hit wot it will blink at you :)
Ah check your plugs if they bad change them. Also check your coils and wires and if you have a race pipe you will have a cell.

Yeah, bad sparks/coils/plug wires will throw a misfire code most likely. P0300, 301 or 302. 300 is a random misfire code, 301 is rotor #1, and 302 is rotor #2.

What you need to do is get the CEL read. There are hundreds of codes that the CEL reports. There is no real way of knowing what is causing the CEL without knowing the code. Most auto part stores like Autozone will read the code for you for free as well as clear it for you.