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Car died while driving

Old 05-15-2010, 07:35 PM
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Car died while driving

Here's the issue, I was driving and my car shut off. I pulled over and the car would not start. It won't even turnover. When I turn the key I hear one click and then nothing. All of the dash lights are on and the key icon is flashing. The battery voltage is 12.5V. I checked all of the fuses and they are fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Old 05-15-2010, 07:48 PM
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I forgot to mention that I tried to see if there were any trouble codes but my accessport wont connect to the ECU. Before the car died it worked properly.
Old 05-15-2010, 07:56 PM
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Have you tried the spare key?
Old 05-15-2010, 07:59 PM
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I'm no expert, but it could be a bad ground. I've never heard of that causing a car to shut off mid driving though... You said your key icon was flashing, do you have the keyless/remote starter key for 06+? I have that and I believe if it is out of battery the key light will flash and the car won't start. Just some thoughts, hope you figure it out soon.

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Old 05-15-2010, 08:03 PM
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^I thought about something similar like a loose battery terminal... maybe he should check that too.
Old 05-15-2010, 08:16 PM
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I tried the spare key and it didn't work. Same symptoms
Old 05-15-2010, 08:18 PM
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Checked and cleaned battery terminals also.
Old 05-15-2010, 09:13 PM
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If you tried the spare key, checked the battery terminals and grounds, then you got me stumped. Just curious, when you tried the spare key, did the key light on the dash flash?

-Vesper
Old 05-15-2010, 09:24 PM
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The key light flashed with the spare key also. It has to be some sort of electrical problem, the car ran fine until it died, there were no indications that something was wrong.
Old 05-15-2010, 11:29 PM
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the sensor for the keys failed. check fuses first. sounds like you lost something in the can bus. what modification have you made to the electrical system. aftermarket stereos etc?
Old 05-16-2010, 02:57 AM
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^What about the ignition switch? Seems that he would get more response from the car when trying to start it if that were the problem, but then again it may just flash the key light and refuse to do anything. I know a faulty ignition can cause the car to shut off while driving, though I think you'd still be able to use the stereo. Can you use your stereo, lights, etc?

-Vesper
Old 05-16-2010, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
the sensor for the keys failed. check fuses first. sounds like you lost something in the can bus. what modification have you made to the electrical system. aftermarket stereos etc?
My electrical system is stock, I disconnected the battery to see if that would reset anything, but nothing happened I think it is a computer problem since the car won't even turnover.
Old 05-16-2010, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by vesper
^What about the ignition switch? Seems that he would get more response from the car when trying to start it if that were the problem, but then again it may just flash the key light and refuse to do anything. I know a faulty ignition can cause the car to shut off while driving, though I think you'd still be able to use the stereo. Can you use your stereo, lights, etc?

-Vesper
My stereo and lights work
Old 05-16-2010, 12:31 PM
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its the ignition or the sensor that registers the key in the ignition. go to the dealer
Old 05-16-2010, 02:39 PM
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Yup. I'd put money on the ignition. It explains the car dying too.
Old 06-11-2010, 03:47 PM
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I took my car to the dealer and they said that the PCM was bad and that it would be ready for pick up today. I went to pick it up and now they say that none of the computer systems in the car are talking. Does anyone know what would cause the computers not to talk, everything has power. The dealer is stumped and they are waiting on technical help from Mazda.
Old 06-11-2010, 04:54 PM
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bad ECM?
Old 06-11-2010, 05:05 PM
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I had something similar happen i attribute it to a bad ground......
Old 06-15-2010, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by RX8YA
I had something similar happen i attribute it to a bad ground......
I visually checked the ground, I probably should have taken it off and cleaned them. The dealer is bringing in a "RX8 technician" on Monday hopefully he will figure it out.
Old 06-16-2010, 02:59 PM
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That's odd about the ECU. Out of my area of limited knowledge...
Old 06-22-2010, 09:26 PM
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Fixed!!! Wire under fuse box came loose. The wire was reconnected and the dealer had to do so reprogramming of multiple black boxes. I tried to troubleshoot this, but even if I would have found the wire I still would have had to take it to the dealer for the car to start.
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