I have a 04 RX8 pulled into a gas station after about a 30 minute drive, filled the tank about half way got in and the car won't start. When you put the key in the ignition the thing freaks out, needles on the gauges shot up and down, lock kept locking and unlocking, No engine clicking like it wanted to turn over but the battery was low, Nothing, headlight wouldn't come on.

What I did, I checked all the battery terminals and connections. Disconnected everything let it sit with nothing connected, reattached connections. Still nothing. Tow truck arrived 2 hours later to take it home loaded it up and during the unload at my house I put the key in and noticed the dash and everything lit up like normal. Tried the key I got two clicks like it wanted to start but no power. Now the keyless entry arms and unlocks but you can hear the door locks trying to run after the button is pressed. Checked the headlights I get the drivers side light on and nothing out of the passenger side. Radio and headlight turn off and on like they are cycling after the key is in for about 30 seconds. Car still wont start.

Does anyone know what this may be? How to fix it?

 

Bet you left the lights on at the gas station

Likely need a new battery........

 

LoL
The RX8 ain't no Mac Book Pro sunny ....

If u waz a PC I'd tell you to hit ctrl-alt-del

otherwise
+1 on the battery

 

OK, I picked up a new battery, dropped it in and still nothing. I get some clicking from the fuse panel in the engine bay, but nothing else. Gauges still freak out and everything power cycles. Anyone have any ideas.

 

Now comes the fun part

You likely have a poor connection...I would start with the pos battery cable and follow it to the fuse box, and the alt, and starter...If you have a meter check the voltage and the resistance of the grounds...looking for a poor ground..or low voltage..

I assume you have checked all the fuses in both fuse panels already...

 

OK, car now starts. No clue why or what changed. Other than I pulled the power cables off the main engine fuse panel. New issue is that it runs for a bit but when I come up to a stop and depress the clutch and brake. The car dies. Will turn back on fine but dies periodically when I come to a stop. It seems like the RPM range is dropping too low to keep the engine idling. Yes, I have the clutch depressed. Please help.

 

If it was my car...I would clean and check all the connections from the battery to the fuse panel..and clean and re-do the grounds.....

Then reset everything...and drive it for a day or so and see how it goes. After a reset it will often idle funny till the ECU relearns the trims

You might want to check and see if you have a vac leak..If you have an aftermarket intake...check the VFAD nipple on the manifold...if it falls off the car will idle like crap

If you have access to a scan tool...check the fuel trims at idle...if they are +8 or above...check at 3000RPM's...if they are 3-4 then it is likely you have a vac leak

 

Could it be the neutral switch .. . common problem on the 8

 

I bet the car is relearning the fuel trims and this is why your car does not idle right. Drive it 3-4 cycles (turn on the car drive and then turn it off for 3-4 times) and then your idle should be stable.

 

I had this same problem. my '8 would start sometimes, and sometimes it wouldn't. Idle would be low, and drifty... after getting a new battery, I still had the same problems. I traced the problem to the wires that connect to the MAIN FUSE in the engine compartment. in my case it turned out that the person who had the car before me had lost (2) screws on the left side of the fuse compartment. there are two metal clips that were sliding around and not making a complete connection.
I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the input Scott .... always good to know what other problem cause remedies are out there.