Last time at autocross I had a CEL start blinking during my run, I made sure I short shifted and didn't rape the rev limiter/fuel cutoff. It blinked some more and finally stored on my 2nd run. I pulled the battery, reset the ECU and went home from the day, and it never came on during street driving for the next 2 months.

Fast forward to this past weekend, car had been in for T flash/recall with clean bill of health and they didn't see the code from last time. Went to another event and same thing happened. I rev the car to redline on the street and have driven it hard to duplicate the problem but the CEL never blinked/stored on the street.

I'm wondering if the 8 might have some kind of wheel sensors or something that freak out if you slide around a bit too much or the ABS thinks you are getting out of control and it trips a fault code in the ECU. I haven't had time to go to the dealer and pull the code. My friend's 04 stock 8 didn't have the CEL until he spun out on his last run and then it came on and stored as well. It leads me to believe there's a sensor something in the wheel/abs/suspension that's connected to the ECU that might have freaked out.

Does anyone have any info on this or do you just think it's a random misfire? Car seemed to run just fine otherwise.

 

Pull the code(s). Probably a missfire code 0300-0302

I got them a lot on the track with a coil that was crapping out, They tested normal. When the coil finally died...we replaced it and the CEL hasn't come back since

 

Yeah I'll have to get around to pulling the code. How many coils are there on the RX8, and did you get them replaced under warranty? Also did your car ever throw a CEL on the street even driving it hard?

My CEL only happens at autocross, no idea why it wouldn't misfire on the street if I drove it hard, seems like it only happens when there's cornering involved.

 

Mine only did it on the track. 4 coils...one per plug.

Warranty item. New they are about $45 each

 

( ! ) is the symbol for the low tire pressures from the TPS. It's not in the same location as the Check Engine light.

--kC

 

Another thing...when you spin, you may get an eccentric shaft sensor error code.......

 

^^ Oohhh.. hah... that explains it.. (grins sheepishly)

 

Is there a special way to clear that code or will pulling the battery for some time and stepping on the brake pedal clear that out as well?

Also I know what the TPMS symbol is, it's definetely not that.

 

Cosmos, didn’t you have a spin or two on Saturday?

FWIW, there were three other RX-8s there on Saturday, all set up for B Stock and all running on V710s (and all three recently returned from Nationals.) None of those three spun out, and none of them experienced the same issue. All three of these cars were riding the 2nd gear limiter in multiple spots on course (everything’s bigger in Texas, including the courses!), so I don’t think the fuel cut has anything to do with your problem.

I believe both of the RX-8s that experienced CELs spun out beforehand. Cosmos, you should ask Lauren to bring his scan tool to the next event so that we can pull a code if it happens again. Either that, or stop spinning. :wink:

 

Heh, Jessica and I both had a spin on our first runs when I put the tire pressures about 10 psi too high. It's been a while since I drove the RX8 at autocross and I forgot that the factory 32-34 range is actually the right amount of air since the bridgestone sidewall is a incredibly stiff. The car still ran ok as far as I could tell and managed a somewhat respectable 73.5 bone stock so I'm not sure if it's serious or not.

The thing is that the other RX8 that spun out had an instant solid CEL that stored and mine blinked for about a whole run and then went solid. After the spins it didn't turn on instantly like the other one so I think it may be something else. Also last time during the rain autocross my car started blinking before I spun out. Just from my reading it almost sounds like a bunch of misfires that end up making the CEL go from blink to solid.

I'll see if I can borrow Lauren's scanner next time, I hope it can read CAN or i'll have to end up buying one myself.

 

I figured I'd bump this thread I found through searching...

Shawn and I had a CEL on my RX-8 earlier today when he did a 360 after coming through the finish on a drying course. I didn't have my scan tool on me to check the code, but we were able to reset the ecu and the CEL went away and has not returned. Besides CosmosMpower (and another RX-8 he mentions), has anyone else had this issue on their cars? If it is just an "eccentric shaft sensor error code" as dannobre suggests a couple posts up, would this be a non-issue after the ecu has been reset? -Chike

 

Non issue if it doesn't come back.....it doesn't like it when things are going backwards that should go forwards

 

Like dannobre says, likely the ESS needs resetting.. esp. if you spin and lock up the engine because you didn't let the clutch out in time. Best to at least get a $50 code reader from walmart and take the confusion out of the picture....you'll be able to get and clear the code w/ease. Don't forget to do the ESS reset correctly as well.

 

I have a code reader but I dodn't take it with me to events. I'll check this evening to see if a code is stored in the ECU. What's the procedure to reset the ESS?

 

NOTE:2004-2008 and 2009 and later model year procedures are different.

2004-2008 Method

1. Turn ignition switch to "ON" position, but do not start engine.
2. Pump the brake pedal at least 20 times within 8 seconds after the ignition

switch is turned ON.

Additionally, you'll notice the oil pressure gauge needle sweep to the middle and

back down when done correctly.

 

Thanks. I'll do that this evening.

Seems like this CEL is not uncommon for RX-8's that spin during an autocross or track session.

FWIW, my car has been running great, and I still saw my usual 25-26mpg on the drive home afterwards (closer to 26mpg actually).

 

talk about a CEL is is a total waste of time until you pull the code and see what it is

 

Tried pulling the code but it must have cleared when we reset the ECU. I'll put my code reader in my helmet bag and pull it should it ever re-appear.