Power fluctuation and engine shutdown
 

My Rx8 started acting funny when I was driving to school, it was only for a moment at first because I was able to make it to school with no trouble after that. On the way home it was acting up agian but it would progresively get worse. I would drive my rx8 in 1st gear (im AT btw) it would rev fine then drop down in rpm's then go back up in a continuous cycle. It would get better for a while and then worse once more. At one point I was able to make it to the freeway then it would not go any faster than 45 mph. I had to exit to side streets where the car would not go faster than 25-30 then it shut off a few times. The car would turn on with normal idle then once I resumed driving it would continue. After a few seconds of driving the car would shutoff. Then it finnally came to the point where it would idle fine for a few seconds then hesitate a bit and die out. I eventually got a tow home.

Heres more info on my car. The engine went out on it 5-6000milies ago but was replaced under warranty. It doesnt feel or drive the way it did when the engine had low compression.

>>>>>>>NEW UPDATE---Car passed smog???wtf... should I worry or .....idk?? drive as is?

>>>>>>>UPDATE--I did not change the cat yet, I count get home early enough before the rain, and it would have been a pain to push up the driveway all wet and by myself. Out of curiosity I remember noticing my fuel guage stuck in a few dashes below 1/4 the empty for a while. Could I have possibly just ran out of gas? could have the above symptoms have been because of that??? I went and put about a gallons worth of gasoline and the car started up fine, other than having to deflood it a bit . It warmed up with no problem in the idle, and I drove it up and down the street and into the driveway with no problems? ....help?!?!

-Using stock cat
-been premixing for about 3000 miles. no prior history of premixing before that.
- Newer fuel pump from a car with 26,000miles
-BHR ignition coils and wires
- spark plugs are about 7months old
-changed oil 1000 mi ago with castrol gtx 10w30
-plenty of coolant.
-no CEL but recently it would flash for a while then go away. (No code other than rke p0039.)
-cleaned airflow sensor about 200 miles ago(using AEM intake)

Thanks in advance for any related help :bowdown:, rx8club is the first place I turn

Uh....

If your CEL flashed a few times, that means you threw a code. Go get it read and see what the issue is pertaining to.

I'm willing to bet that your catalytic converter is toast. Take it to the dealership since the emissions equipment carry a federal warranty up to 80,000 miles.

Thanks im below 80,000 so that should help, but the Accessport gave me no other code other than the ghost RKE P0039. I tried to start the car and it started right up as normal... but then it shut down, hope I didnt flood it :uh:

I have the 1st version of the bhr midpipe I can switch too, but I think im better off making an appointment with the dealership since I have to get a smog check soon :anger:

any more help is appreciated.

update BUMP

bump, hard been running and idleing fine, im getting it smogged so I can go catless/ or to see if the cat is fooked up

bump, passed smog

my 8 acted like that tryed to make it to the dealer but dident had it towed and the fuel pump craped out got a new one works fine and mine is a manual

Out of gas...........

Im guessing this is what happened? I would hate to think my recently installed pump would fail already.

Your going into imp mode.

Possible vapor lock?

Taking any sharp turns on 1/4 tank or less can cause fuel starvation and go into limp mode.

Water in gas? Buy a can of Heat, put in tank.

Yeah I did take a sharp turn before this and im guessing I was low on gas with the guage not displaying it. I also took out the cat today and it was pretty demolished! Im surprised it passed the smog check :dunno:
The car has been running fine since Saturday.

yeah ... this happened to me all the time... solution ... i keep it above 1/2 a tank