Yesterday was the worst day that I have had with my week old RX-8. Since day one I have had problems with the AC cycling on and off, but yesterday it finally went from bad to worse. A part is supposedly on order to fix the AC, but yesterday my RX8 started blowing warm (instead of just cycling from cold to cool) and then the engine was idling all over the place in traffic, then the temperature shot up to about the 3/4 mark and I had to drive around for the next 20 minutes with the heater on full blast to get it back to the halfway mark on the temp gauge. Keep in mind that I live in AZ and the temp did get to 105 outside, but that is cool for us and warmer days are right around the corner.

I was not running the car hard at all when this happened, just driving in traffic for about 15 minutes. So from all of this I have 2 questions:

Has anyone else had problems with their AC cycling on and off once ever 10 seconds? And secondly, does anyone else live in a hot climate and have problems with overheating? Or better yet, live in a hot climate and have NO problems with overheating (something I would much rather hear...)

I did take the car in to the dealer and they are about to get a call from me right now as I am having to drive a Corolla that smells like an ash tray only one week after buying a $30k car....

Thanks in advance for any replies that can set me at ease

 

I can tell you... I have an appointment on Wed to take mine in for the A/C not blowing cold air and mine isn't a a week old either.

 

Your car obviously has problems with the cooling system. The A/C problems are probably caused by cooling system problems, not the other way around. I imagine the car is cycling the A/C in weird ways in an effort to keep the engine cool.

Demand a full diagnosis and explanation from the dealer. You do not want to have your engine overheat. This needs to be fixed. It cannot possibly be normal.



T.

 

Thanks guys, I have been reading all of the threads on AC problems, and I think the overheating was something different.

The AC normally cycles, but when it started overheating the AC went out altogether, as well as idling all over the place. This is the start of summer in AZ and this will not fly....

 

I'm in Florida and it's been pretty hot here in the low 90s. The engine temperature is fine. If I am at a long (3 min) red light, the AC does not blow as cold as when moving (on fresh air), but it is tolerable. The way to cool down the RX-8 (and other cars) is to start the car up, set the AC to Recirulate and drive till the cabin temp is comfortable, THEN switch to fresh air mode.

If your car is running hot and the temp climbs, check for an obstruction of your radiator, maybe something like a pastic bag or paper or just a lot of dead insects or road debri clogging the radiator.

 

After driving my baby all weekend here in relatively hot Florida weather (92 degrees) I noticed every time I come to a stop light the A/C stopped blowing cold and blew more like semi-cold...EVERY TIME! My RX-8 hasn't even hit 1K yet.... I am printing this thread and taking it into get checked out next week.

ANYONE ELSE???

 

The AC cycles in all of them, I haven't heard any different on this forum. Mine does it too. If there is a fix I would like to know it, but this problem is not just for a few buyers, seems like everyone. In fact it's probably not a "problem", it does that for a reason I'm sure.

 

There's a TSB to fix this problem.. It's the AC amplifier unit..

I had mine fixed already.. (at Russell Mazda, for 6speed8)

 

You haven't looked too hard! From first deliveries last July, there have been some cars that had the AC cycling issue, and as many or more that didn't have the problem. As guy321 points out, there have been quite a few recent threads discussing this and the fix for the problem.

Regards,
Gordon

 

lets hear some more on this engine cooling issue please. as soon as you get some kind of dianosis from the service dept.

 

You are going in the wrong direction, there is no cooling system issue. There have been many, many threads and discussion on what you guys all talk about.

These are A/C issues, which have been addressed by Mazda. Talk to your dealer, they will fix the A/C.

 

Zoom,

I will let everyone know if it happens again, the service department tried to duplicate it but wasnt able to.

In my opinion the overheating was due to my multiple stops and starts that day. First I drove 20 miles to one office, and stayed there for about 3 hours, then I drove another 15 miles to another location, mostly through town, and stop and go traffic. The 8 only got to rest for about 30 minutes there, then I drove another 15 miles, all stop and go, and the car only got to sit for 10 minutes. Lastly, I drove across town and while sitting at a stoplight the temp shot up to 3/4 of the way on the gauge.

My opinion is that this was the perfect storm, a 105 degree day, not giving the car enough time to cool and lots of shutting the engine down (not letting the cooling system work because it was off and actually having the temp go up with the car off).

It has been hot since and I have not had this happen again, but I would rather have had the dealership try something because as it stands now, nothing has changed and therefore I may run into this problem again....

 

Gdub, any modern car (rotary or otherwise) should not have a problem with the errand running you did in that heat. This seems to be a severe problem with your vehicle. Do not think that this is normal.

 

Florida here!

Hot and Humid the last 2 weeks.

I was, as far as I know, one of the first to have A/C problems. My compressor was replaced. The cycling every 10 secs. sounds strange. Like one person said on here, the ac at idle does not keep the interior very cool. I leave my recirculated air on always. My 2001 Millennia S was the same in that regard - always left the recirc on when the ac was running. The regular setting does not do well. Keep us informed though.

 

Seconded.

 

well, i'm in aus (its currently winter here but its still not tet cold), and its usually quite warm here. my part time work requires me to drive multiple 500 metre (yes, thats like a fraction of a mile) about 15 times in 4-5hours. meaning i have to shut off the engine for 10 minutes, drive for a minute, shut engine off, work for an hour, and drive again and again and again.... (for those of u curious on what i do, basically i work in a retailer store and i have to drive customers to the warehouse which is 500 metres away if they want to see their stock, and that happens many times a day)

i've had no trouble with flooding, or cooling issues. but i havent experienced summer yet with my 8. so yeh, we'll see

 

yo same issue here, i have to drive and turn off my 8 everyday for countless time, i've had no problem yet, no flooding, no overheating. BUT, i found this very funny, when I switch the blowing mode to blow both head and leg, i almost can't feel any air coming out. but when i turn on the A/C, it's better, better doesn't mean it's normal. It's still warm. but when i switch it to blowing only the head, it's fine. why is that? and sometimes it takes serveral second to get the car start. it will start, but just take 3-4 second longer at the crank, anyone have the same problem?