My RX8 check engine light is on and it is blinking. The dealership said that it is typically a misfire. The guy said not to drive it and have it towed to him asap. So, I am wondering, what are the signs of a misfire? It happened while driving at normal highway speeds under nice clear weather conditions. The car still starts but the light just continues to blink. About 20 minutes before the light came one, he built-in nav flickered a bit.

Can anyone describe any common signs of a misfire? I wanted to bring it over to autozone to get the codes, but now I'm worried about driving it.

Thanks

Also, 2005 RX8 39,000 miles. Brand new coils and plugs, wires dont need to be changed.

 

Blinking CEL = misfire

One of your new coils is bad or one of the plugs isn't gapped right...either way...that's your problem.

 

Misfire is common. Doesn't need to be towed, can be driven no problem. Dealership is being either stupid or greedy (or both!).

Code will be a P0301 or P0302 if the light is on solid. If it's not solid then it's a transient condition (revving it high, right!? )

If the plugs and coils were just changed, might be a loose connection, either harness to coil or plug wire. Check them and make sure they are seated. I had a leading plug wire loose and the car ran like crap.

 

Three reasons for a misfire. Fuel, Ignition, or Mechanical (compression.)

you can drive it, however driving on misfires can lead to a dead cat converter real quick. If the dealer wanted to be a holes about it they could deny a warranty claim for a cat converter due to driving the car with active misfires.

Most commom prob for 8's, coils and plugs.

 

i had this happen but my check engine stays on now. so i was wondering how long until the check engine light goes off without me reseting it.

 

Your CEL will stay on until you correct whatever issue caused it to be set.

 

But....but....but.......the check engine light was on and I looked under the hood and checked that the engine was there and it was, so why won't it go off?

 

Wrong... most common problem is fouled plugs from driving it at too low of RPM and not red lining it.

You can buy a new RX8 and get it to misfire in a couple of weeks if all you do is put put around town.

 

Um, I said plugs....

 

If you want the light to stay off, you need to check it with a permanent marker rather than just a pencil.

Ken

 

I much prefer electrical tape.

 

i ment once the problem is fixed and how long can you drive it until you wreck the cat converter

 

A cat is damaged during a misfire...not for any specific length after you stop having them? That's like saying...once I learn to swim how long do I have before I drown?

 

Until you you decide to stop or get tired.

 

Misfires should NOT be common and you should be very careful, one bad misfire can ruin our engines... You guys do know that it takes a certain number of misfires to trip the sensor right? So you guys do misfire every once in awhile without knowing it.

Best thing to do is to make sure your ignition system is in good condition and to make sure your plugs are wires are as well...

 

Wrong, Only if you ignition system is ****... A well maintained ignition system should be able to do this no problem...

Plugs are deffinately a problem but its known that our coils are not great and start to give out very fast which causes misfires, fouled plugs can cause you to misfire but mainly cause poor start up problems, MPG, and performance/ power problems...

 

Well then I guess I should be on my 15th or 16th engine.

But I'm still on my first after 40k miles and three Summers of tracking the snot out of my car. I get the flashing CEL almost every session, and then usually get the solid CEL and P030x code at least twice during a track weekend. Reset it and motor on. I'm on my third set of coils, wires, and plugs. Still have good compression and power.

So.... Baloney. Misfires are common if you ever drive it hard, even with new plugs and coils. And hundreds of misfires won't necessarily ruin our engines.


Now that's not baloney, but good advice.

 

I have never misfired and I run my car all the time in the upper RPM Ranges, even in the summer. Granted I have yet to make a track sesh (lol) or AutoX, I plan to soon.

And it only takes one BIG misfire, just because you've gotten hundreds doesnt mean they are all big.

I have yet to see any misfires with my BHR Ignition system...

 

Update:

New engine is on it's way. The dealer ended up giving me a free tow from Mazda. I hate my service guy, but its not going to cost me anything(I hope). Anyone else received a new engine? Should I be weary of anything? I'm sure my service guy won't give me any tips.

Thanks everyone.

 

Yer lucky I'm bored at work...otherwise off to "Search Newb!" land for you.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...09&postcount=5

 

So... you have no experience.

There is no such thing as a "BIG" misfire. A misfire is a misfire. Either the fuel-air mixture ignites or it doesn't. Please, don't spread false information if you don't have the facts.

 

Is there a simple way to check for a misfire without an AccessPort or taking it to the dealer? While accelerating to merge on the highway, I got a CEL yesterday. No adverse effects. I still make normal power and revs. There is no strange noises. Any suggestions? (seriously thinking of getting an AccessPort at this point anyway maybe Santa will be kind)

 

If you have a CEL, then go somewhere and have it read. There are lots of places that read it for free. If it's a misfire code, then you will know.

 

Yup living in Texas with 105+ dry heat keeping RPM's above 7K for half the day 10+ times in the summer is no experience. You dont live in Texas, please by all means I would love to see how your car would handle the heat down here. Lets not turn this into a pissing contest, id rather not.

Okay then please explain to me how peoples engines go "BANG" and all of the sudden their compression is lost and they need a new engine. If you can explain to me clearly how I am wrong and back it with correct information then by all means I will retract my statement.

 

Go to Autozone. They will always read it for free.