I'll see what i come up with.
The ABS never lit up before. It could be from the PCM that was installed. Only one code is shown on the Bluetooth adapter, P0661.
So I'll see what can be done.
I will drive safe. I probably won't drive the car much in winter

 

Major discovery update: Immobilizer acting up again!

Hey everyone. This is really puzzling and i'm hoping people here can help.
Was searching the forums for this issue, but even if there are threads about the cabin fuse box,
none are related to the Immobilizer.

Yesterday i took my 8 to an airsoft game. Parked the car, all good. After the game, the Immobilizer was active again.
I opened the cabin fuse box, applied a bit of pressure on top of them, while jiggling around. Turned the electric off.
Viola, it goes away, the car starts. So i still didn't look if a fuse is blown, or have time to check the wires.
But how can the Immobilizer get activated from these fuses? None of them are mentioned for the Immobilizer....

 

From my experience I would check all the grounds, clean and reinstall. I’ve not had this specific problem but cleaning grounds has solved a lot of electrical problems for me in the past.

 

Radiator leaking.
Forgot that it wasn't fixed in place.
Recent driving surely broke it on the top

 

whatever you do don’t replace it with mishimoto radiator. Its cheap...but it’s cheap.

 

Bad news. Will need to replace it for sure. All aluminum 2 row radiators work the best from my experience.

 

Update 5: Learning how to drive and maintain the RX8 properly

Being the first and only RWD 200hp-ish (it is a 16 years old, 150.000km engine) car that i drive, i am not surprised that
i have trouble going from 1st to 2nd to 3rd at lower speeds. Plus the clutch and pedals are probably worn out, not to mention the
transmission gears and selector, differential plus the trans. and diff. oil which need to be replaced.
Since there is no previous car history beyond the owner i bought it from (he did change engine oil and oil filter), i surely have to change all the fluids.

Also, the Mazda dealer which worked on my car, they gave me printed diagnostic results from both PCM i have.
PDF file is bellow. The pages with the word "novi" means new in Croatian. It refers to the PCM i bought from England.
This PCM does not have an internal error like the stock one, but is obviously having issues reading the car components.
I will try and see what else can be done, maybe the stock PCM can be fixed inside with some soldering?

I replaced the wipers today, the stock ones were leaving water trails. Couldn't see anything in the rain.
Thank god the car is not leaking water into the interior. Especially since i have a glass sunroof.
The windshield washers are not spraying fluid, at all. This is what i managed to find without tearing the car apart:


This is the image in front of the windshield washing fluid reservoir. Seems like someone removed the wire connecting to the reservoir. I hope this is for the washers pump.



Still puzzled about the cooling system. I recently figured out that the engine radiator is fixed in place, and is not moving around.
Only the AC cooler is. This makes me think that the radiator is still okay. Howerer, i am still loosing coolant. And i can't pinpoint where it's leaking.
Next week i am hoping my friend will have time for me to help me take the car apart and see what is the problem.

 

The plastic coolant reservoir can crack with age, especially around the neck. The coolant cap also loses its capacity to hold proper pressure over time.

And honestly I have driven a 1999 Corolla with 5-speed and I didn't have trouble getting into any gears. Looks like someone before you didn't know how to drive a stick shift. I am guessing worn synchros. If that's the case you might want to start looking around a junkyard for a transmission.

 

Hello guys,

I just bought my RX8 (yellow, Cosmo, 232ps, bose) as well on December so I will be part of this forum and RX8 owners. :D Bought it from a mazda mechanic.
For now I am just finding out my way around the car. I bought 2 new switch-blade type keys to be programmed (found them on amazon arrived very fast).
I am using Repsol synthetic blend for premixing and will use Castrol 5-30W Gold for the oil of the car as proposed by Mazda.
I was also thinking to check if i find Idemitsu for premixing with a good price if possible, then i will use that maybe instead. For now i have another Castrol full synthetic for premixing, which seems dope.
Same technical specs as the Repsol one (C2, FD) etc.
Hopefully my dad is a car mechanic. And i have some support on the process.
I want to put the bluetooth mod, probably the yatour will be suitable. However, a guy I asked that installs sound systems and such stuff, told me that because i have the bose, he needs to do something with the bose wiring.
I think that this is bullshit to take more money. Do you have any experience with yatour on bose rx8? The module itself is no more than 100 euros. As the guy talked i wouldn't be looking at less than 400 euros with the wiring and work.
However, i think that if the yatour is connected to the AUX, it should work with the rest of the sound system and speakers. It wouldn't make sense differently.
Btw I am not sure i can make the front headlight sprinkles to work :P I hope they still work!

Nice to find you here. Happy and safe driving.

 

Congrats on your purchase. See if I can assist.

1. Any 2 stroke oil that is JASO FD rated works well as a premix. I believe that oil is so you are good to go.

2. The Yatour adapter is extremely simple to hook up. Just do it yourself.

3. Headlight sprinkles? Not sure what you are referring to here. So you mean the headlight washers?

 

Thank you nice to find you here :D

For
1. Ok, thanks
2. Yeah, i have seen some videos, I was just wondering if it is not compatible with the bose system which wouldn't make sense. To be honest i will check my firmware and if compatible then I don't think i will have any problem.
3. Yeah i meant the washers. I saw a post the other day i think about how to make them work but not sure I did everything correctly.

 

You just need to check the version. I believe it's only compatible with Ver. 9.55 or newer. It's possible that your system is a Ver. 9.5 in which case only way to make it work is to swap in a newer radio deck.

To get your firmware version of your Mazda RX8, push and hold the TEXT button and then at the SAME TIME push the number 1 button on the stereo and hold . and make sure you are in FM mode. If you do it right it will tell you your Firmware.

 

disacembler, i have a bose system as well. My yatour works perfectly.
The only question is would you like to use an AUX version or a Bluetooth version?
The AUX is cheaper, but the Bluetooth one is worth it. Been using it for months and had no issues.
You can even pull through the microphone wire under the plastic trim above the transmission into
the cup holder and into your seat. You will see the RX8 has a plastic back on the seats. Simply tuck in
the wire inside and leave the microphone hanging on your shoulder height.
Be careful if you do not have a power seat, so you don't snap your wire.

UPDATE:

So i found out my radiator is leaking, the top plastic part was repaired before, but it was done poorly and now it's leaking.
Will be installing a KOYORAD cooler soon. Also changing the coolant reservoir just in case.

ALSO IMPORTANT, and this is a quite surprise. As i wrote already, my RX8 went to the Mazda dealer and got all recall parts installed.
This morning, the Mazda dealer called me and said that there are still recalls needed to be done.
These are:
-Oil hoses
-Either hoses for fuel or a brand new fuel tank, couldn't understand what he meant, but i know it's fuel related. (no, not the plastic rings, they were already installed)
-front mudguards. (mine are broken anyway)
-PCM/ECU software update (this is especially irritating. The original PCM is on my shelf right now, the english PCM is in the car.
They can only update the original one, but the original has an error which they couldn't find what it was, so it's presumed broken)

When i asked them why haven't these recalls been done when my car was in their shop, they said something about an email outside of Europe (probably japan, or US)
and no one knew these had been issued for the car) which makes me think that my RX8 was probably originally sold in Croatia.
Unfortunately all previous information about the car is lost, so xP

Please, if anyone knows about these recalls, do tell.

 

Stupid plastic POS stock radiator is always the first thing to go in the garbage whenever I acquire a new 8 for my collection. Recalls are all available on this site in the stickies. If your original PCM failed Mazda should replace since it's been recalled.

 

I really don't understand why is the top made of plastic? The entire radiator is metal. What is the gain with the plastic top besides braking after many years??

Hold, when i told the guy the same thing, he simply said that they can only update the original ECU.
He didn't say anything about replacing it. So does a PCM software update recall allow a pcm replacement?
I can ask them about this tomorrow.

 

It's a problem in almost every modern car. They save money using plastic parts but the consequence comes for the end user. Car manufacturers only care about new car sales. They dont make anything from used cars so they save whatever they can in the manufacturing process so they can give exec's bigger bonuses.

And yes, they should replace the ECU. Not 100% sure they will but it's worth complaining about. If they wont replace the ECU, there are companies that can fix them. Added benefit is that you just pay for the ECU repair and its plug and play. Putting a different ECU in always requires Mazda to program everything to work right in your car. I've done this only once but it worked for me for that particular car. Apparently the cause was corrosion on the inside of the module.

 

The new ECU you have may not be compatible with the car. There are regional and trim differences. They should be able to get you a new ECU of the correct model, but it's going to be $$$$. You could try to get a correct used ECU just be really careful that you get the right part number.

 

Yes. well i could try have my repaired. Now with the english pcm i don't have ABS or traction control.
Not fun in winter.

 

Yea I knew immediately it wasnt gonna work correctly. Give it a go for repair. A lot of the times they are fixable if its corroded or has a bad resistor or whatever on the inside.

 

Hello!
Thanks for your answer. I don't understand what you mean with AUX and bluetooth.
I don't have bluetooth in my car and i want to add it with yatour. The aux is the part you select in the radio in order to be able to operate the bluetooth
That is my honest opinion and my understanding. Also there is a cable that you connect the yatour to actually connect to your sound system and radio, it is at the back..
I have watched this video from drivenbymadness:
Maybe we are saying the same..


Also guys i have another question. I am not sure which is the best oil to use for my engine..
I know there is Idemitsu 10w30 but also Castrol 5w30. I don't know or actually haven't found idemitsu 5w30 anywhere.
I know that mazda did propose a 5w30 synthetic oil for RX8 at least in Europe. Then you see lots of people using Idemitsu... similarly for the premix.
If you have any scientific or proof reasons that would help to select one towards the other i wouldn't mind. I think i can find them both at similar prices (so price might not be the issue).
I am interested for best maintenance and best quality.
Extra info: My engine is stock in general. No forced induction. Just improved air filter with active carbon.

Also i was thinking to take the filter mag (Rotary Performance FilterMAG) even though i am almost sure the oil filter already have a magnet inside most of the times. Maybe less strong though.
Do you know which will be best if i plan to change my oil anyway every 5000km? (or every year differently if not reach the kilometers)
Also what about the oil filter. What you know about it. Only mazda or nippon will also be a good choice? (like this one: Rotary Performance | Yes, it’s fast.)

Looking forward to your answers

 

Careful man, gonna open a huge can of worms asking these questions on this forum haha. I only use 10W40 Castrol GTX in all my RX8s. Never had any engine issues in any of them. My understanding is that the thicker oil is better for the bearings. Using Mazda's stock oil filter is the best option as it was designed for this car. I'm pretty sure no one will debate me on that at least. 5W30 isnt a bad option and I dont think using it will cause you any issues. Regular oil changes are more important than choice of oil.

 

Maybe if you change it also regularly then you will not see any problems as i agree with you that regular changes are more important.
I have also heard good things for 10w40. On one hand it is thicker on the other, this is a bit more restrictive to rotation as it is thicker. It also burns less as it is thicker.
I think Castrol has a lot of experience in oil. Maybe the oil also has to do a bit with the driver and driving conditions. Then there is no one size fits all.
You still have your OMP working properly even though you use 10w40? and is it fully synthetic?

 

Castrol non-synthetic 5w30 is fine. There is a long thread of used oil analyses you can review if you like, but basically: it doesn't matter, just be sure you change it at the right intervals. Idemitsu is expensive, and there is no real point. Synthetic is generally fine as well, but it depends which synthetic ans whether you have modified the oil injection system. You can search for threads about this, they get... heated.

Stick with a Mazda filter.

Is only the air filter changed, or the intake itself?

Is there a reason you posted in this thread and not started your own?

 

Thanks. Synthetic Castrol for RX8, and not non-synthetic. I would use non-synthetic for RX7. At least that is what I meant. At least according to the mechanics i talked, you don't want to mess up with non-synthetic with such engines. Synthetic blend at least.
I looked for oil threads but didn't find any direct hit. I am learning this forum and i thought the best place is here where new RX8 drivers also get acquainted to older ones having some experience with their own RX8s

If you have a link for the oil thread i could use it to check. I didn't find so good hits with a first search
For the prices mentioned, I could find them in similar prices so the price doesn't matter to me at the moment.

Thanks for the answer.

 

Never had OMP issues and Castrol GTX is conventional oil. In fact, my buddy swears by 20W50 conventional and he doesn't have any issues either. I also live in a very hot tropical climate so a thicker oil makes sense to me.