Hey guys, i have a 2004 rx8 MT with 74k miles. The problem with my car is that its having a hard time starting but it starts almost the same when its cold and hot. I believe its not low compression because it doesn't have a hard time starting as i seen other videos that people posted. My rx8 idles rough when i turn the a/c on and idk if that's normal. I'm the third owner of this car and the coils/spark plugs were changed on 2011. Im thinking about getting a new starter for the car. But i want your opinion.


Whats done to it,

All Stock
New Battery
coils, sparkplugs changed at 2011
Driving style, I redline the hell out of it a couple of times to clean engine
Was in an accident but was hit in the passenger door, no damage done to the engine, just airbags (note the airbag symbol) *getting this fixed*

 

thats reving it in warm start. it was night time so i didnt want to complety rev it out.



This is hot start




This is cold start

 

Sounds like it's cranking kind of slow. Before you change the starter, make sure the battery and connections are CLEAN & TIGHT. While you are cleaning the connections, have the battery charged and load tested.

 

i test the volts of the battery and its good, its 14v or 13.8 i believe. have to make sure again. but ill check that right now!.

 

I checked and the connections and battery are both clean & tight. any other options?. i dont think its low compression either but anything can happen.

 

Also check the grounding/earth points, they sometimes get a little corrosion under them.

 

Definitely sounds like an old/worn starter.
If you listen to the newer starters, its much faster cranking speed and higher pitch.
Check if you have the updated version of the starter (should be n3z1) which will be labelled on the starter itself.

 

Thanks holyman but ima ask a dumb question. Where is the starter exactly. I know somewhat of this engine. Just not everything.

 

Where would this be exactly.

 

wait nvm, i found the DIY on how to change the starter, but any other ideas that might be wrong?.

 

You checked the battery voltage, but did you LOAD TEST the battery?

 

i didn't think i had to load test the battery since its brand new, just got it like two weeks ago but ill load test it to be sure. thanks for the battery advice tho!.

 

update: car started to die while driving on highway.

I bought new spark plugs and wires and so far it has been fixed and now a better start than before. looks like it was the spark plugs because they were all black and dirty


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Hello all!
Im a new rx8 owner since summer 2013 and I think I have the old starter motor, Ive been looking for the N3Z1 and a local garage (Im in the UK) advised me on a Lucas LRS2362.

Has anyone had or owned one? Are they any good etc ?

thanks in advance!