I'm the used car manager at a dealership where some one traded a 2004 RX-8. I would like to retail the car but it seems to always take about 2-5 seconds of cranking for the engine to start, is this normal?

At one point we even flooded the car where it wouldn't start - this was thanks to moving it short distances on our lot (now I know better thanks to this forum)

Eventually we got it started again and I had the spark plugs replaced along with a fuel/intake cleaning service done to help clear out any potential carbon build up in the motor. It drives better and smoother than before but startup still takes 2-5 seconds no matter if it's hot or cold.

I refuse to sell cars that might have a problem so I'm hesitant to put it on my lot even though the car runs great once started and looks extreamly clean. I'm just used to cars now-a-days starting right up once the ignition is turned and this almost reminds me more of the days of corroborated cars that take a little more effort to start.

BTW I really like the car ALOT and left my 2002 Z06 parked at the dealership a few weekends in a row in favor of taking the RX-8 home. Sure its not the same power but it's just a blast to drive and I love the feel of the car!

 

Some 04's and early 05's have been known to have weak starters. There is a "new" one that alot of people have had to put in.
Having said this, it could be a lot of things including weak barrety, old coils, etc.

Is this an Auto or manual?
How many miles?
Know when last time coils where changed?

Look on the starter for the part number....................

“N3H2 B”, “N3Z2” or later are upgraded starters.

“N3H2 A”, is the one you might want to replace.

 

Agree with Mazurfer...
Depending on the miles, I'd be thinking compression check

 

Thanks for the response. I'm not sure about the coils but the battery we tested and everything appears to be good. The new starter might be worth trying I'm just fearful in putting more money into the car at this point. I've already invested quite a bit after motor mounts, plugs, tire pressure sensors, and a few other odds and ends.

The car is an automatic and has 63,000 miles.

 

Yeah, I understand.
It still could be coils, lack of compression(very serious), clogged CAT(can be checked by pulling front down and looking), but I if you can't prove coil change I might try that, but knowing it's an 04.........gotta think starter. Do sone searches on here.....used advance search for "starter" or something and you will see potential causes.



Oh...............this car does take just a wee bit longer to start than probably what you are used to, so it's really hard to say. It's all relative.....try to go start another one some place and see what you think. At 2 seconds I wouldn't think too much, at 5 I would.

 

Thanks I'll try using the advanced search specifcally regarding the starter. The search on this forum has already helped me huge with getting the car started after flooding and the motor mounts. Thank you all for the help.

 

Sounds like coils to me

 

Well..................Kudos for not just throwing it out there on the lot.

Sorry you had to learn about shutting it off cold.

If you think the auto is fun, go try a manual! mo betta and mo power.

Once you get used to using "advanced search", you may find that starters can be had for around $250.00 and there are various places(vendors) on here that sell them.
Since you are going to be selling the car, you may want to just look into OEM coils using the search as well.......if you decide you need to do so.

Good luck!

 

I trust that you know this car more than me and I appreciate the advice but wouldn't I also notice misfiring at high rpms or lack of power? After changing the plugs I definitely notice the car feels "smoother" at high rpms so I'd think the coils are performing fine. I guess for $100 the coils might be a better place to start.

I'm also gonna throw it back up on the lift later today and check the part number of the starter to see if it is one of the old models that Mazurfer listed.

Thanks again everyone.

 

This may help you rule out the starter motor .

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/hard-starting-suspect-your-starter-motor-check-out-207244/

 

while it's up on the lift, you may as well check the cat.

 

^................yep might has well check the CAT.

Check Brettus's link as well on the starter, but if you ID the starter as the old one, you should get a new one.


Mike..............if you have a flashing CEL at high RPM's and some lack of power up there, and have changed the plugs(assuming they were the right ones) then it's 99% chance it's the coils causing the misfire!
You could check the wires to make sure none are cracked, or that the front leading one is not loose, but it's probably the coils on the misfire.
63k is a lot of miles on the original ones.

BTW........don't drive it too much without changing the coils, or you will foul the new plugs(and need another set) and most likely dump extra fuel into the CAT, which will eat it up! There is an 8 year, 100k warranty on the CAT if it's bad.

Dave

 

Print that out and give it to the new owner, or leave it on the seat or dash while it's on your lot!

Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

 

Wow that helped ALOT! I'd have to get back in the car and start it to be sure (don't want to do it right now because I'm at work and won't be able to drive it after starting and don't want to risk flooding her again lol) but our RX-8 sounds much more like the 2nd one from my memory.

In the top video the starter clearly sounds like it's turning at a much faster rate and ours kind of has that slower spinning sound of the bottom one. I'll probably drive the car home again this weekend so maybe I'll grab a video camera and record cold start up leaving the dealer lot and a warm start up after getting home then post the videos to see what you all think.


Thanks, and while it partially conscious and morals it's also that I'm a car guy at heart and it just erks me to have a car not run the way it's supposed to haha.

I can only imagine how much better the manual would feel but I'm almost glad it isn't one or I might be buying it rather than selling it lol. Thanks for the pointers on shopping for a starter I'll definitely check the vendors out.

 

I've never had the CEL light come one while driving only the TPS light flashing at highway speeds but I already got that fixed.

 

Well if it's like the bottom one and it's NOT the battery OR the battery connections ,
then it's likely the brushes are worn out . New brushes are way cheaper than a new starter motor BTW .