Keanu151515

hi, i have a 04' RX8 with only 36000 miles. recently i had let the car sit for 2 days and the car wouldn't start. the engine rotates slowly. at first i thought it was the battery so i recharged it and still the same problem. then i looked to the starter, so i took it off and bench tested it and it ran like a champ. so i re installed it, and i noticed though that when you try to start , the voltage at the starter drops from 12V to 8V. is that normal? also today i noticed that my coils went getting any voltage. i had found that 3 of the 30 amp fuses were blown so i replaced them and now only 2 of the coils are getting power. only the fwd and the 3rd coil are getting power. but still the rotor turns slowly and wont start. can anyone help me?

thanks

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like you didn't get the battery fully charged; clean & check the connections then try to jump start it.

Keanu151515

the battery does have a full charge. i have also used my jeeps battery to try and start the car, and still the rotor turns slowly.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Did you load test your battery, or simply put a voltmeter across the terminals and read 12v? You need significant cold cranking amps (550 or better) to properly pull in the starter motor and no it shouldn't drop from 12v to 8v.

Swap in a truly known good battery and then you can better troubleshoot.

When you do get it running check to see that your Alternator is putting out ~14v.

Keanu151515

i tested accross the termanals to get 12V. like i said, ive tried useing my jeeps battery wich has a new everstart rated for 575 cold crank. 25 more than what the 8 has now and still i get the same results.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

See if you can get someone to push it for you so you can pop-clutch start it (M/T presumed). A steep hill is enough or a good rolling speed from a push. If it does start in this manner then that would point to a bad starter.

btw: Did you have someone rev the Jeep a bit to assure adequate power?

btw 2: Do you have the uprated starter and battery (TSB applicable to '04's and early build '05's)?

Keanu151515

how do i know if i have the upgraded startor? is there any number i can pull form my existing startor to check?

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

^ I take it you're not the original owner and as a new member here have not yet learned how to search, so I'll help you out [this time].

There was a TSB that freely upgraded the starter and battery on all '04's and early '05's, but since the B-to-B warranty is up for that group it's no longer available.

The germane TSB was 01-004/05 dtd 12/1/2005 "Engine Cranks No Start" (note that later editions of this TSB did not discuss the new starter and battery, for the aforementioned reason). I don't have a softcopy, but from my hardcopy: ~"if the VIN is at or below JM1FE173*****150745 then visually inspect the starter placard. If the placard indicates N3H1 replace the starter. If the placard indicates N3H1 A or later you have the upgraded starter."

Early cars came with a Panasonic battery that was upgraded to an Interstate, so that's another way to know (unless the original owner just happened to get an Interstate). The starter placard is on the driver's side of the unit. You may have to jack up the vehicle to read it (use a jack stand).