Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Do I have a bad starter or is it something worse

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:23 PM
  #1  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
Do I have a bad starter or is it something worse

so...

the car just died when i was about to park it, and... when i tried start cranking it again. it just doesn't start up anymore and it's making this high pitch note (like an aircraft stall horn)

but the thing is... it just doesn't even crank up. so i had to have my car towed from the restaurant back to my place.

i'm either taking the car to the dealer and make them figure out what the problem is, or if its a bad starter, i'm just gonna order it online and have it installed by my mechanic.
what should i do?

would this be related to my previous issues that i thought i fixed?
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/weird-noise-full-throttle-183651/

thanks guys. i know i'm annoying, but it just freaks my out when i find out my 8 isn't running properly...
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:53 PM
  #2  
Jon316G's Avatar
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 50
From: Streetsboro, OH
The high pitch noise is probably the air pump you're hearing.

When you turn the key does it attempt to start?
Have you checked the battery connections to verify they are tight?
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #3  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
nah, it doesn't crank at all, it doesn't attempt to start, yea everything is tight, negative connection was a bit rusted, but everything was fine, radio, lights and stuff, just the engine's not cranking.

could this be a loose ignition coil? my mechanic broke one of the screw studs when he was installing the coils.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #4  
khronus79's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
^^^^ weird man, this just happened to me, but I had the luck of being right next to an Advance Auto Parts, they did a whole system check and it was the battery, bought a new one and its all good now, the weird thing about it is that even though I had 0 CCA(according to their tester) I was still able to turn on the high beams and the AC on full blast and the radio, all at the same time.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:35 PM
  #5  
Jon316G's Avatar
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 50
From: Streetsboro, OH
Another thing that'll prevent your car from starting is the starter interlock switch.
Reach under your dash and towards the back-end of the clutch pedal you'll see the switch.
Do I have a bad starter or is it something worse-clutch-interlock-switch.jpg

Hold the shaft in with one hand and try to start the car with the other.

Last edited by Jon316G; Oct 13, 2009 at 11:30 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:35 PM
  #6  
Azam1030's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Bronx (Throgs Neck), NY
Believe or not, it could be the battery and spark plugs, replace those two parts and watch how your car starts right up
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 09:38 PM
  #7  
Jon316G's Avatar
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 50
From: Streetsboro, OH
Like khronus79 mentioned above, it could also be the battery.
Take it to Advance Auto or Autozone and have them test it.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 10:09 PM
  #8  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
but i just replaced this optima red like literally 2 months ago...
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 10:52 PM
  #9  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
sooooo u guys don't think it's the starter?
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 11:39 PM
  #10  
Jon316G's Avatar
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,779
Likes: 50
From: Streetsboro, OH
Did you check the starter interlock switch like I mentioned above?
Have you tested voltage to the starter?
Both the constant 12V from the battery and the voltage to the starter solenoid when the key is turned to the 'start' position?

But you originally mentioned the car just died, then wouldn't start.
Is it possible that the battery wasn't being recharged by the alternator?
Can you measure the voltage at the battery with the car running and then with it off?
Should be about 12.2V with the car off and 14.4V with it running.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 12:34 AM
  #11  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
hm.... don't really have the equipment to do that... nways... i'm just gonna have it towed to the dealer tmr and see what happens
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 01:18 PM
  #12  
dezau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Windermere, FL
so... i took it to the dealer today, the looked at it and said it's a very weird situation. they are gonna bring a regional tech or sth to look at it. i might need a new engine. any thoughts?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WranglerFan
New Member Forum
4
May 31, 2022 07:51 AM
p8ntman442
Series I Tech Garage
3
Sep 22, 2015 08:06 PM
neoksk
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
3
Sep 21, 2015 12:31 PM
Von Walker
New Member Forum
1
Sep 13, 2015 03:54 PM
Anthony Kevin
New Member Forum
1
Sep 7, 2015 07:36 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:27 PM.