I believe to have this common problem which I hear about. I try to start my RX-8 and the engine does not want to turn on. Before I take the car to the dealer and spend hundreds of dollars, what can I do to fix this problem? I live in Westchester county, NY.

 

What year is your car? And are you still under the bumper-to-bumper warranty?

If still under warranty, call Mazda roadside assistance. They'll come for free and either get it started, or will take it to a dealer where they'll start it for free.

If out of warranty, what to do depends on whether you've got the latest flash. If you're up to date, then hold the throttle to the floor while you crank. Don't crank more than 10 seconds at a time, and let the starter cool down between tries. Might take a while, and you might need a jump.

If flashes are not up to date, or that doesn't work, search here for the older deflooding procedures. You're likely to have to pull and clean the spark plugs, pull a fuse - more stuff than I can remember.

Ken

 

A real low battery can cause hard starting too.

Like Ken said, I agree.

 

I have a 2004 RX-8. My warranty is over. What is the easy way to get to the spark plugs?

 

Tow it at about 15 miles an hour.....let out the clutch in second gear...and it will start shortly.......It will smoke like hell....but it is by far the fastest way to deflood the engine

 

Remove the left front wheel.

 

No, you need the tech section more often,

04 warrenty has been extend one year.