I purchased a 2005 rx8 almost a week ago. The check engine light came on, took it to the dealer I bought it from, read the code, and it said p0661. The mechanic cleaned out a couple parts of the engine and cleared the code. Everything was fine until a few days later. Keep in mind before this happened, I put midgrade gas in it, not premium. The check engine light has come on again. The car makes a rattling noise whenever I press on the gas whether I floor it or not, when I have the ac on and I am stopped at a red light or stop sign it shudders, it has cut off on me twice already when I am stopped and the ac was on (doesn't cut off when ac isn't on), and it seems to be sluggish when taking off. Mazda read the code and it was the same one as before; p0661 and he said it was the ssv, solenoid valve. Would this one piece be affecting my car in all these ways, or is there something else wrong with it? Please help!

 

never fear, Jedi is here!

Looks like we've got a couple different things going on so lets start one at a time:

• P0661 SSV solenoid valve control circuit low ON 2 CCM ´ (See DTC P0661 ) - what exactly did he clean? You might want to do an advanced search for this.
  
• Putting midgrade in the car will not have any ill effects, at least not what you're describing. There are some who use regular (although I do not recommend it)
  
• I would imagine the CEL on now is probably going to be the same as before, I'd recommend getting the code pulled at a local Auto Parts Store, many will do it for free (autozone is a good example)
  
• Where are you hearing the rattle? Can you describe the general direction? Has the rattle always been there?
  
• The shudder you are experiencing is common when the AC cycles and can usually be traced back to a cracked motor mount, there was a TSB on them quite some time back but since you are most likely out of warranty, I'd inspect the motor mounts and it might be a good idea to replace them. If you need great pricing on OEM Mazda parts, do not go to the dealership. www.onlinemazdaparts.com is one of the best out there.
  
• The fact that it's cutting out could mean that your catalytic converter is clogged, I would have your mechanic unbolt it from the exhaust manifold and take a peak inside. If the honeycomb has come part, that could easily be your problem. If it is clogged / broken and is allowed to remain this way, it could quickly lead to other problems with the car such as damage to the motor.

 

He told me what he cleaned but I can't remember the name of it to save my life. The code was pulled twice by two different people and both people got the same code when they checked it. The rattle has not always been there and I am hearing it come from the front of the car. It's not a loud rattle but I can definitely hear something there. I bought a warranty along with the car so I am covered there. So I will definitely take it back to Mazda and tell them to check out the motor mounts and the catalytic converter. Thank you!

 

damn Jedi, where have u been, haven't seen u for a while

Anyway OP, Replace the engine mounts should solve ur "shaking when AC on" problem, you can get those mounts from the site Jedi mention, or Mazmart, which is a vendor here and he can get you the best price, even better than onlinemazdaparts.com

and yep, check the cat.

 

Return of the Jedi? Or, just an elaborate mind trick...

OP, would you say that the rattle almost sounds like marbles in a can?

 

At the risk of angering the ways of the Force, thread moved to troubleshooting...though the rename to be more descriptive appears not to have worked