I keep having this code come up in my 04 RX8. It says crank sensor needs to be replaced etc. So I replaced it with a new one. The same thing happens. The check engine light comes on. I start to crank my car sometimes and it takes forever for it to crank then eventually it will crank, thus error comes up. It'd driving me nuts. It only happens when the engine wont crank. Envenually it will crank though. I dont know what the problem is. Help

 

check the main ground under the airbox on the sheetmetal-ish cross member. clean the ground spot with sandpaper, clean the metal connector on the wire and then bolt it back down.

make sure the Crank sensor plugs is fully clipped in.

the code and your problem starting are related.

also make sure the tone wheel is on the back of the crank pulley and isnt bent or anything.

kevin.

 

What is the tone wheel? And you saying the ground wire is underneath my intake box on that piece of metal?

 

Hmmm I'm having the same exact issue. Tried everything suggested, except the tone wheel, tried looking at diagrams, having trouble figuring out where it is. Help

 

i had the same problem and i replaced mine too.. twice! so i just got a new starter and now it starts wit no problem at all.

 

sorry, tone wheel is behind crank pulley, it's what the crank sensor "sees",also known as "eccentric shaft position plate"

here's all possible causes of your code:
Eccentric shaft position sensor malfunction
Connector or terminal malfunction
Eccentric shaft position sensor is dirty
Eccentric shaft position plate malfunction
PCM malfunction

find a factory service manual, FSM, to find how to test each. The ground thing i mentioned earlier, for some reason i cant find the info about it so Im thinking it may be for a different code i confused in my mind, sorry.

My personal opinion? Dirty/loose connector at crank sensor or high resistance in one of the wires. Since the car eventually starts the crank sensor is having intermittent issues (needs a crank signal to start, no crank signal = no spark/fuel), if the car doesnt start all then most likely you have an open circuit or really bad connection for the crank sensor, if not a faulty crank sensor.

worst case scenario is PCM(highly doubt it), technically the PCM is always worst case in most electrical circuit issues though.

kevin.

 

Thanks for the insight tek, I'm gona try everything you suggested tomorrow. *fingers crossed*

 

I took the advice below above, I changed the starter, and it fixed the problem. It does not take a long time at all for it to turn over now.
Thanks!!!

 

check engine light is gone now?

 

Yes, the check engine light is off now. The starter was causing the light to come on for the crank sensor.

 

wow. that doesnt make any sense, but as long as it fixed it.

kevin.

 

I can kinda see it...
The starter turns the flywheel which is connected to the eccentric shaft.
So if the starter is too weak, which lessens the rotations, and the E-shaft positioning sensor doesn't read enough pulses within its tolerance, it 'should' throw a code.
Never heard of it before, but I can visualize it.

 

Nice avatar Jon!

Now that you mention it, it does make some sense.

 

yeah, the speed of the starter was still the same as this new one. I think it may have been missing some teeth somewhere, and after a while it just finally caught. These starters are weak.

 

very true.

 

I'm having the same issue, except It seems my problem is when I don't start it for a period of time. (1 or so hours) If I drive to my local walmart (fully warms up) go inside quick to get my random crap, come back out it fires right up. But, in the morning when I'm ready to go to work. It takes some time and loving to get her to start up again. Any ideas?

 

hi,
i just bought 04 rx 8, within a week i had engine replavement on dealers expence as it was stalling, he covered that under recall due on this vehilcles. But now i have thi p0336 coming up i cleared the code couple of times but it keeps coming back after two three weeks. i read ur thread got the crank shaft sensor checked and the all the terminals cleaned.
it has only been three days the engine check is back on again showing p0336. it already have upgraded starter motor when i bought it. i dont know wht is going on, it starts up pretty good every time but every so offeten usually first thing in the morning it takes it time to crank up and straight after that it shows the code
i am just guessing it is starter, howevr i am bit worried because couple of weeks aga i was driving it pretty aggressively and redlined it for 10-15 sec hopefully that hasnt triggered any thing..........
it will be great if some can suggest anything as i just dont want pay dealer another visit and dish out odd $200

 

Hard to start when cold.

Look at your connection for the battery.

I bet your battery is old.

Remember they updated the battery size.

If you are in cold country make sure you get a 750 CC Amp battery.

Also, plugs get fouled over time so you may be getting a weak spark.

 

If its not the battery as Razz1 suggested...

I would first clear the NVRAM to reset the eshaft profile:
1) Turn the key to the 'ON' position (do not start car).
2) Rapidly press brake pedal 20x within 8sec.
3) The oil pressure gauge needle will sweep to the middle and back down indicating the NVRAM was cleared.
4) Turn key to the 'OFF' position, then start car.

I think should be something the dealer would cover since they just replace the engine.
If resetting the NVRAM doesn't clear it, I would see if they bent the positioning plate somehow.
Maybe even clean the surface of the eshaft (which would be unlikely, but worth ruling out).

 

I have cleared pcm three four times but it didnot work, i had terminals cleaned and sensor checked from dealer so i am hopping he has cleaned the shaft surface and checked position plate aswell,

as razz suggested it could be battery because when i bought it from mistubushi dealer he had installed mistubushi battery and yes i am in cold place to be north canada...............but it is summer time like today in morning temprature way 16 and raining, i have to crank it up twice. i will try changing battery any suggestions on battery i am new to rotaries ...............always wanted one so still getting familiar with systems.

 

Sounds like a starter issue. When I had the problem, the car would crank fine sometimes, but other times it would take a min. But if it took over normal time to crank and the light came on. Replace the starter. Go to Autozone, and get one. They have a GOLD which is new and others that have been rebuilt before. They all come with a lifetime warranty. Get one of those. Cause they go out often on some motors. Replace the starter.

 

thanks for your help guys, really appretiated

at least i kow now its starter or battery one of these but i have to wait till i get paid next week to sort it out. my problem is exactly like anoble 1, as it crank ok sometime but other times it just through the code. i will start from battery though as i bought car second hand it has only 450cc battery in it. if that didnot solve the issue then starter.................

Thanks once again

 

Let us know if what you did worked...

Thanks

 

hi,

as you requested finally changed batter to optima red, took me some time to get hold of this particular battery not every one carries it. everyone tried to sell me some next brand, have to order it from net. got it last saturday and replaced it same day. no code so far i am hoping it stays like that and i dont have to change the starter.

thanks once again on all your input...................

manny

 

Subscribing to thread. I am having the same issue that Noble has described and the CEL is inconsistent. After I check the sensor grounds and connections I am going to try the starter as the battery is fairly new.

Very thankful this thread is here.