Starts with CEL and revs less than 2000rpm now won't start.
 

Okay I did my share of searching but no one seems to have outlined my exact problem.

Car: 2005 RX-8 Manual
Miles: 45K
Plugs and coils changed at 35K, Oil changed 350 miles ago.
Updated starter from dealer.

Okay here's the situation:

I start the car and notice a CEL on the dash.
I put the car into 1st and start driving but I can't rev the motor past 2500 rpm - same thing in 2nd.
I stop the car and shut down the engine, motor rev's seem to sound normal.
After shut down I try to restart.
With the key in the ACC postion the airbag light and key lights are flickering on the dash.
I turn the key to start and although the starting is trying to turn over, it is labored and not turning over. (Not a flooding type of sound - yes I've flooded before and know).
I though the battery might be dead so I try to jump the car with a donor. Does not work.
To rule out a bad battery, I get it tested at Autozone and the battery passes as good.

What the heck is going on?

Do I have a dirty Ecentric Shaft Sensor? Will a reset of the NVRAM make things better? Do I have to clean the sensor?

What do you think my problem might be? Thanks in advance!

did you get the CEL code read while you were at autozone?

Sounds like your car is going into limp mode

I only brought my battery to Autozone for testing. For obvious reasons I could not bring my car - it would not start...

ha oh right.
Well, if you can find a way to get the CEL read, that would be a lot of help.

Really my hope is to scan the experienced members in our club to get a good idea about what the potential problem might be. I appreciate you trying to help RS8Soldier! Just trying to reach for personal experiences or educated guesses though.

BTW No CEL fires during the key turning process. All lights on the dash are out except for the airbag light and key light. Normally once the key is in the "ON" position all the lights light up but my dash is nearly totally dark. Plus when I remove the key after a failed start up attempt the dials sweep up and down.

Get an OBD2 scanner and post the CEL codes from your car.

Anyone have any idea why none of my dash light will come on when I have the key in the ON position?

What do the symptoms of a messed up starter motor have?

I think it's a Oil Metering Pump issue or a starter issue. Any more help is appreciated.

Problem Solved

I did a lot of things but the problem was basically my battery terminal connection.

The positive clamp on the battery would not tighten down all the way due to expansion over time and heat. I added a shim to the post in the form of some bare wire and that made the connection firm.

The clamp expanding and some corrosion and acid made my positive connection spotty. Everything looks good at the moment but I'm still a bit curious as to whether this would signal a CEL and Limp Mode.