Car won't start, search leads to spam. ><
01-29-2011, 04:47 PM
#1
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Car won't start, search leads to spam. ><
Ok please don't tell me to search. I tried and I got a bunch of useless conversations.
My situation= I was stupid enough to buy an rx-8.
The Immediate situation= I love my rx-8 (yeah i'm aware of the above) and I want to love it some more... but it won't start.
Simply put, It is a 2004 Automatic GT. Cold night with 22 Degrees F. Refused to start, battery died,new battery, no start. It will sit there and go vroo vroo vroo vroo when you turn the key, but it will NOT start!
Also, I bought it used (It started fine for about 2k miles. I started with 67k and I am at 69k-ish). Has anyone else had this similar issue? Any experience?
Thanks guys.
I really wan't to love my mazda and not hate it, but I am about to make a 50 pounds hammer my new best friend if i can't get this car fixed.
My situation= I was stupid enough to buy an rx-8.
The Immediate situation= I love my rx-8 (yeah i'm aware of the above) and I want to love it some more... but it won't start.
Simply put, It is a 2004 Automatic GT. Cold night with 22 Degrees F. Refused to start, battery died,new battery, no start. It will sit there and go vroo vroo vroo vroo when you turn the key, but it will NOT start!
Also, I bought it used (It started fine for about 2k miles. I started with 67k and I am at 69k-ish). Has anyone else had this similar issue? Any experience?
Thanks guys.
I really wan't to love my mazda and not hate it, but I am about to make a 50 pounds hammer my new best friend if i can't get this car fixed.
01-29-2011, 05:03 PM
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01-29-2011, 05:22 PM
#5
Key elements to run, compression, fuel and spark. See if you can smell gas or some obnoxious smell coming from the tail pipe. If you can, you got gas. It is unlikely you will lose all 4 coils, so you likely have spark, you can test later. Compression is another matter, do not worry about it now.
Key problems with one that age, unless someone took care of it, are related to coils and plugs. There is some other stuff, see the $100 thread in my signature, but plugs and coils are a likely culprit here, they did not fail, but can make it really hard to run with too much gas in the rotor. Trying to start with an almost dead battery can easily flood, then old coils will not fire the plugs.
Getting it started is the current problem. If you read all the flood threads, they say crank with gas to the floor, tow it (not good option with auto), pull plugs and crank to get as much gas out as possible, pull fuel pump fuse and crank until almost starts then put fuse back in, try starter fluid through one of the breather lines on the black accordion tube before the throttle body. There is also a suggested ritual with a dead cat and a full moon that I do not understand.
If it was me, given your data above, I would put the battery on a charger, leave it on the charger while trying to start, and try starting with the gas pedal all the way to the floor. This cuts off the fuel flow and you might be able to get enough gas out of the rotors to get a few ignition events. Once those start, they will help get rid of the rest of the gas. Do not crank for more than 10 seconds without a 10 second break.
If that does not work, get a buddy to spray starting fluid in one of the vents on the accordion tube. Have them wait until you start to crank, spray while you are cranking, and stop the instant you stop cranking. The starter fluid is much more likely to catch fire than the too rich gas mixture. If it starts, stop spraying immediately and let the car figure out how to run. It may be ugly for a bit. Just let it idle. A lot of gas will get dumped to the cat, and you want it to get a chance to process it through as opposed to getting really hot.
If those do not work (after trying for up to an hour), you are stuck with reading the de-flooding threads and picking the particular religion to join on the topic.
Regardless, I would suggest picking up a set of coils, and likely plugs, from one of the vendors here (stock ones are fine for an 04 auto that you do not plan to supercharge) or an auto parts store that stocks them. If you find one that offers a lifetime warranty on the coils, life is great. They are a maintenance item.
It amazed me how this car can run with trashed coils, fouled plugs, a filthy air cleaner and crap gas. The problem is, when it finally cannot run, it is not something simple. That is where you are.
Mine did what you described. It does not now.
Good luck, keep me posted here. I will try to watch for updates. Only caveat, it is my birthday and I am drinking and watching the rolex 24. Any advice that does not seem to make sense after about an hour from now, probably should not be considered.
Key problems with one that age, unless someone took care of it, are related to coils and plugs. There is some other stuff, see the $100 thread in my signature, but plugs and coils are a likely culprit here, they did not fail, but can make it really hard to run with too much gas in the rotor. Trying to start with an almost dead battery can easily flood, then old coils will not fire the plugs.
Getting it started is the current problem. If you read all the flood threads, they say crank with gas to the floor, tow it (not good option with auto), pull plugs and crank to get as much gas out as possible, pull fuel pump fuse and crank until almost starts then put fuse back in, try starter fluid through one of the breather lines on the black accordion tube before the throttle body. There is also a suggested ritual with a dead cat and a full moon that I do not understand.
If it was me, given your data above, I would put the battery on a charger, leave it on the charger while trying to start, and try starting with the gas pedal all the way to the floor. This cuts off the fuel flow and you might be able to get enough gas out of the rotors to get a few ignition events. Once those start, they will help get rid of the rest of the gas. Do not crank for more than 10 seconds without a 10 second break.
If that does not work, get a buddy to spray starting fluid in one of the vents on the accordion tube. Have them wait until you start to crank, spray while you are cranking, and stop the instant you stop cranking. The starter fluid is much more likely to catch fire than the too rich gas mixture. If it starts, stop spraying immediately and let the car figure out how to run. It may be ugly for a bit. Just let it idle. A lot of gas will get dumped to the cat, and you want it to get a chance to process it through as opposed to getting really hot.
If those do not work (after trying for up to an hour), you are stuck with reading the de-flooding threads and picking the particular religion to join on the topic.
Regardless, I would suggest picking up a set of coils, and likely plugs, from one of the vendors here (stock ones are fine for an 04 auto that you do not plan to supercharge) or an auto parts store that stocks them. If you find one that offers a lifetime warranty on the coils, life is great. They are a maintenance item.
It amazed me how this car can run with trashed coils, fouled plugs, a filthy air cleaner and crap gas. The problem is, when it finally cannot run, it is not something simple. That is where you are.
Mine did what you described. It does not now.
Good luck, keep me posted here. I will try to watch for updates. Only caveat, it is my birthday and I am drinking and watching the rolex 24. Any advice that does not seem to make sense after about an hour from now, probably should not be considered.
01-29-2011, 05:26 PM
#6
With a weak battery, it is possible it was flooded. Here are a couple of links to de-flood proceedures.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-average-joe-plumber-182410/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-under-5-mins-55517/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-rx8-flooded-start-method-210485/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/deflooding-procedure-done-no-go-209679/
My favorite method, which I can't find a thread for at the moment, is to simply push/pull start the car.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-average-joe-plumber-182410/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-under-5-mins-55517/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-rx8-flooded-start-method-210485/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/deflooding-procedure-done-no-go-209679/
My favorite method, which I can't find a thread for at the moment, is to simply push/pull start the car.
01-29-2011, 05:34 PM
#7
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sounds like a good case of the flooded engine if your battery died while you were trying to start it.
Good sign is a potent gas smell coming from the exhaust if this is the case. here is my quick deflooding procedure write up if you need any more information or clarification let me know
deflooding procedure
remove fuel pump fuse (believe its 20 amp) in the fuse box under the hood.
unplug air pump theres a few diy that have pictures of the clip you need to unplug
use someone else car to jump your battery (cause your going to be doing allot of cranks)
turn ignition to starter for 5 seconds and then wait 5 seconds and repeat this for a minute
wait a couple of minutes
repeat 5 second intervals for another minute
reconnect fuel pump and air pump and try and start the car. if it starts and dies again dont keep cranking go back to pulling the fuse and clip and repeat intervals
keep repeating these steps till it starts. when it finally does go drive it or let it run for at least 30 minutes to let it clean itself out
Good sign is a potent gas smell coming from the exhaust if this is the case. here is my quick deflooding procedure write up if you need any more information or clarification let me know
deflooding procedure
remove fuel pump fuse (believe its 20 amp) in the fuse box under the hood.
unplug air pump theres a few diy that have pictures of the clip you need to unplug
use someone else car to jump your battery (cause your going to be doing allot of cranks)
turn ignition to starter for 5 seconds and then wait 5 seconds and repeat this for a minute
wait a couple of minutes
repeat 5 second intervals for another minute
reconnect fuel pump and air pump and try and start the car. if it starts and dies again dont keep cranking go back to pulling the fuse and clip and repeat intervals
keep repeating these steps till it starts. when it finally does go drive it or let it run for at least 30 minutes to let it clean itself out
01-29-2011, 06:48 PM
#8
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And most importantly..........what is your location?
Maybe someone is nearby and could assist!
There are many deflood procedures as you've now found out......unfortunately, it can be an easy one, or a tough one based on all kinds of factors.
Maybe someone is nearby and could assist!
There are many deflood procedures as you've now found out......unfortunately, it can be an easy one, or a tough one based on all kinds of factors.
01-29-2011, 08:18 PM
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and thanks guys. I've been told that it may be the plugs and coils, but I can't drop $200 right now.
I going to try to de-flood it first.
01-31-2011, 05:19 AM
#10
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1st fail : Buying an exotic sports car without being prepared to afford regular maintenance and repairs.
2nd fail : "Ihatemymazda" screen name on a Mazda enthusiast/support web site.
Good luck with all that...
2nd fail : "Ihatemymazda" screen name on a Mazda enthusiast/support web site.
Good luck with all that...
01-31-2011, 09:29 AM
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and this car isn't really exotic. Actually, I take that back... I get it now, cause when you're in an exotic place, bugs eat you alive! wow thanks for the info!
Anyway, I going to try to unflood it.
Then I will move on to the plugs.
Thanks guys.
01-31-2011, 09:41 AM
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Ihateyourscreenname. Good luck with your car, but man, registering with a screen name like that and making comments like taking a sledgehammer to your car on an enthusiast forum is just fukin stupid. Fix the car or STFU and go buy a Camry. You clearly deserve a transportation appliance.
01-31-2011, 09:45 AM
#13
1st fail: reported for spam. Thanks..
and this car isn't really exotic. Actually, I take that back... I get it now, cause when you're in an exotic place, bugs eat you alive! wow thanks for the info!
Anyway, I going to try to unflood it.
Then I will move on to the plugs.
Thanks guys.
and this car isn't really exotic. Actually, I take that back... I get it now, cause when you're in an exotic place, bugs eat you alive! wow thanks for the info!
Anyway, I going to try to unflood it.
Then I will move on to the plugs.
Thanks guys.
01-31-2011, 09:58 AM
#14
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Wow, lots of noob on noob violence in this thread 
OP, Read up on the threads posted. Good luck with the de-flood. Since you don't know the history of the car, I'd recommend ordering new plugs, coils, and wires as soon as you can. If you have the old starter, look into the updated one as well. It's good to replace everything at once, but not a necessity. Do it as your budget allows.
OP, Read up on the threads posted. Good luck with the de-flood. Since you don't know the history of the car, I'd recommend ordering new plugs, coils, and wires as soon as you can. If you have the old starter, look into the updated one as well. It's good to replace everything at once, but not a necessity. Do it as your budget allows.
01-31-2011, 02:53 PM
#15
One Shot One Kill
1) weak battery
2) spark and coil
3) starter
4) new engine
attack it in that order, i would add in tow start, but it's an auto....
and ur screen name and posts are relatively fails.. just saying. how many piston do your car have? jk lol
2) spark and coil
3) starter
4) new engine
attack it in that order, i would add in tow start, but it's an auto....
and ur screen name and posts are relatively fails.. just saying. how many piston do your car have? jk lol
02-01-2011, 10:32 PM
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. Let me check again.Ihateyourscreenname. Good luck with your car, but man, registering with a screen name like that and making comments like taking a sledgehammer to your car on an enthusiast forum is just fukin stupid. Fix the car or STFU and go buy a Camry. You clearly deserve a transportation appliance.
And Mazda= Zoom Zoom Z- dammit what now?
Toyota= Moving forward, even when you hit the brakes.
Last edited by Ihatemymazda; 02-01-2011 at 10:35 PM.
02-01-2011, 11:10 PM
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good luck with the deflood dude ... at least get new plugs ... they are prolly fouled
And yeah I have been trying really hard to figure out what was wrong with this car, and I am thoroughly convinced that it is the sparks. Now i just need to find a good set of plugs. I might just get the $20 (Each) ones from advanced auto. (I can't wait to drive my RX-8 again! :D)
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