well i guess it started when I got the new viper remote start system installed on my 8. I have had trouble turning on the 8 multiple times now for the past two months and it is really starting to make me mad since I always require a jump.

The 8 also requires quite some time for it to turn on at times. One of the wierd things is that sometimes when I turn off the car, the engine stays running but it's so quite that you can barely tell so I leave it on by mistake sometimes. Now I have to go put my ear next to the engine and see if it makes any noise and then turn on the car and turn it back off. Is there any way to stop this from happening and possibly any way to not have to replace the battery completely?

 

wow your engine stays on when you turned it off?

 

I don't own an S2... but this ^ might be a good place to start.

I mean: your battery was fine... then you installed the viper... now its frequently dead.

I would guess that your viper system is constantly drawing on the battery and thus draining it.

And you say that the car stays running when you turn it off and remove the keys?... Like, running as in using gas, making exhaust and stuff and you need to put an ear to the hood to hear it?

Take the remote starter back to the person that installed it and either have them remove it or trouble shoot it.

 

Rip that remote starter out of there. It's obviously the culprit and certainly shouldn't be keeping your motor running when you turn it off (serious safety issue!).

You don't need remote start in a sportscar anyway.

 

/\ Yep, a No Brainer, remove that remote starting CRAP...why do you want it...

It is obvious it is also Draining AMPs from your battery, plus the standard Immobilizer drain.

One tip...the S2 Battery is the largest used by Mazda (same as CX-9), they get HOT from engine (they get less air circulation), make sure you check your Battery Fluid Water every 3 months or so in Summer as evaporation is high.

My Battery is nearly 2 years old and still gong strong xxx, BUT, have had to top off fluid on many occasions.

 

Are you sure that it's not your fans running after you shut the motor off? The rotary is quiet but not that quiet!

 

yea it stays on. It sucks because I don't want to remove the remote start as it gets a lot of compliments from girls but I guess I'll just get a new battery and if it keeps acting up I'll end up removing it.

I'll also follow the advice you guys gave me and check it every three months.

 

dude, you get compliments for having a remote start not an RX8 those girls have serious problems.
clearly theres something wrong with the remote start unit. either fix it or take it out simple as that.

 

Again, if the engine keeps running after you turn off the key there are potential serious safety ramifications.

No girl is impressed by a remote starter (or if they are, as suggested look elsewhere for female companionship). Heck, I got one for my daughter's car, that lives outside all Winter, and she rarely even uses it.

Again - get it fixed properly or better yet just have it removed and cut your losses.

 

I'm not a girl... however I am impressed that your car stays running when you remove the keys and turn it off...

So... when you have to park and leave it gear, what happens? Or is it an auto?

 

if you have to put your ear to the hood to hear the engine running, it's not running. My guess would be is that you're hearing your starter getting some volts to it and trying to turn over... not enough juice to get the car going, but enough to constantly run down your battery AND burn out your starter.

whomever installed your viper did a horrible job.

 

This!

 

HUH???
Getting a "New Battery" is not going to solve the issue, it is your Remote Starter that is Draining it, and or you are not using your car enough to recharge the Battery.

A "New" battery is going to do the same thing...go weak.

I can assure you the 09's Panasonic Battery is one of the best.
And AFAIK not available outside of Japan.

The only way to stop your battery drain is to remove remote starter or disconnect the Negative battery terminal when garaged, or get a trickle charger.