Top 10 2004 Mazda RX-8 Questions & Answers

The Mazda RX8 has electric power steering there is no fluid. You may have a problem with you electronic power steering control moduel, or the power steering pump

Changed the battery yesturday in my Mazda rx-8. Now my radio/CD and my A/C won't work! It's all black! Wot to do???

In regards to condensation/water buildup in rear lamp assembly of 2004 RX-8; the problem is defective gaskets. They degrade over time and fall apart. If your vehicle is still under warranty the dealership will replace the gaskets as per recall. Since it is not a safety issue, as my dealer told me, if your warranty has expired you can purchase new gaskets (around $40 each) or remove the tail lights yourself and apply silcone or rubber gasket sealant to the old gasket (inquire with a body shop as to what to use, I used Permatex ULTRA Rubber Gasket Sealant & Dressing).WARNING: Do not use solvents of any type to assist in the removal water/condensation for light assembly as solvents will dry out the lens and crack them: which is what happened to me, however a few days later my neighbor hit my car and damaged the light so I had it replaced. Handle the light assembly carefully as they can crack easily.

The P0410 code refers to the (secondary air system) emissions system. The AIR pump puts air to the exhaust to lower emissions. It takes in outside air and pumps it through two one-way check valves into each bank of the exhaust.
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About 90% of the time that this code is set, the one-way check valves have worn out or failed and allow water (which occurs naturally in the exhaust) back into the pump. In any cold climate, especially in climates with higher humidity, this water may be more excessive. The water partially fills the AIR pump, it can then freeze. When the PCM commands the pump on, if the pump is frozen it cannot turn, thus overloading the circuit and "popping" the fuse.

A code P0410 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

• Water may have collected in the AIR pump or the vent solenoid and frozen or corroded the pump
• Blown AIR pump fuse due to freezing up

Possible solution:
This may be covered under the emissions warranty on the vehicle. If your vehicle is out of bumper-to-bumper warranty, check if the emissions warranty is still valid!

• Replace the AIR pump AND one-way check valve
• Test and clean the AIR pump AND test and replace the one-way air check valve
• Replace the AIR pump inlet hose
• Replace the AIR pump fuse (found under the hood)

It is really only an emissions issue and won't harm your car's engine ot drivetrain. It will however mean you won't pass emission testing if you live somewhere that tests for that like I do!

man read this and u will know what is ur problem and how to fix it
P0300 Code - Random Misfire What does that mean? A P0300 OBD DTC code indicates a random or multiple misfire. If the last digit is a number other than zero, it corresponds to the cylinder number that is misfiring. A P0302 code, for example, would tell you cylinder number two is misfiring. Unfortunately, a P0300 doesn't tell you specifically which cylinder(s) is/are mis-firing, nor why.
Symptoms may include:

• the engine may be harder to start
• the engine may stumble / stumble, and/or hesitate
• other symptoms may also be present

CausesA code P0300 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

• Faulty spark plugs or wires
• Faulty coil (pack)
• Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
• Faulty fuel injector(s)
• Burned exhaust valve
• Faulty catalytic converter(s)
• Stuck/blocked EGR valve / passages
• Faulty camshaft position sensor
• Defective computer

Possible SolutionsIf there are no symptoms, the simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.
If there are symptoms such as the engine is stumbling or hesitating, check all wiring and connectors that lead to the cylinders (i.e. spark plugs). Depending on how long the ignition components have been in the car, it may be a good idea to replace them as part of your regular maintenance schedule. I would suggest spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor (if applicable). Otherwise, check the coils (a.k.a. coil packs). In some cases, the catalytic converter has gone bad. If you smell rotten eggs in the exhaust, your cat converter needs to be replaced. I've also heard in other cases the problems were faulty fuel injectors.
Random misfires that jump around from one cylinder to another (read: P030x codes) also will set a P0300 code. The underlying cause is often a lean fuel condition, which may be due to a vacuum leak in the intake manifold or unmetered air getting past the airflow sensor, or an EGR valve that is stuck open.

P0302 Code - Cylinder #2 Misfire
What does that mean?
A P0302 code means that the the car's computer has detected that one of the engine's cylinders is not firing properly. In this case it's cylinder #2
SymptomsSymptoms may include:

• the engine may be harder to start
• the engine may stumble / stumble, and/or hesitate
• other symptoms may also be present

SymptomsSymptoms may include:

• the engine may be harder to start
• the engine may stumble / stumble, and/or hesitate
• other symptoms may also be present

CausesA code P0302 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

• Faulty spark plug or wire
• Faulty coil (pack)
• Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
• Faulty fuel injector
• Burned exhaust valve
• Faulty catalytic converter(s)
• Running out of fuel
• Poor compression
• Defective computer

Possible SolutionsIf there are no symptoms, the simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.
If there are symptoms such as the engine is stumbling or hesitating, check all wiring and connectors that lead to the cylinders (i.e. spark plugs). Depending on how long the ignition components have been in the car, it may be a good idea to replace them as part of your regular maintenance schedule. I would suggest spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor (if applicable). Otherwise, check the coils (a.k.a. coil packs). In some cases, the catalytic converter has gone bad. If you smell rotten eggs in the exhaust, your cat converter needs to be replaced. I've also heard in other cases the problems were faulty fuel injectors.

If you locate the water expansion tank (front of the bonnet, opened, with the pressure-cap to top-up if necessary) - check that there's sufficient coolant in there (check whilst the engine is cold).

If so, you may be suffering the same problem as a lot of RX8 owners, with a dodgy coolant level sensor in the tank. One way to confirm this is to remove the connector to the tank - on the left-hand side of the tank as you look from the front (not the air-conditioning connector, immediately to the left of it, attached to an aluminium billet). Ensure the (now free-hanging) connector from the wiring loom is safely stowed and give it a test drive. If you're satisified that the warning goes away then you know that the level sensor in the tank is faulty (and therefore the warning light is spurious). Unfortunately, that's a pricey item to replace (dealer price, UK, in the region of £200).

Remember, leaving the coolant sensor unplugged to avoid the spurious warnings would mean that a genuine problem that resulted in (catestrophic) loss of coolant would then go undetected, until too late. So do this at your peril.

There is a well known problem that is a manufacturer's defect with the soldered connection on the circuit board behind the temperature knob. There is a fix to re-solder the connections but the dealer will gladly take $450 to replace it with the same bad board that will last you a while. Look for the link to show you how to fix it yourself.

My RX8 had the same problem. First, change your battery cable ends. On the Positive cable there is a white wire that powers the power steering. It probably has a bad connection at the battery post. I cut the end off my rx8 and just put a regular battery cable end on it and my problem was solved.

you have flooded the engine if you go too you fuse box and take out the fuel pump fuse turn the engine over for a while this gets rid of the fuel left in the cups in the engine replace the fuse try it again it will start

Believe it or not this is a very simple problem to solve. The face plate for the center control unit has small black plastic studs with female threaded inserts pressed in them that the radio hed unit is screwed into tho hold the entire unit together. My daughters 04' RX8 display was going on and off when she would hit a bump. I followed instructions of you tube video titled DIY:OEM Radio removal first gen RX8 6mt. It is very detailed and step by step. When you get to the last step which is pulling out the complete unit be careful as this is where I am sure you will find what I did, The face plate will be loose on 1 side or both. On Mine it just was one side and I almost broke the black molded plastic studs on the back of the face unit on the other side. You will see the screws with the inserts still screwed on to them where they have pulled loose from the black studs. I used epoxy to reseat them into the studs, reassembled the unit and reinstalled. I have had no other problems.