New member with a question
08-25-2012, 07:48 PM
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New member with a question
Hello everyone,
I just bought my daughter an RX8 today. A little about myself, I'm an enthusiast but on a different forum. I have an Impala SS 1995 with a 396 Stroker and a 6 speed T56 Magnum currently being installed! So that said, I know NOTHING about these cars.
I just bought one for my daughter and I'm teaching her to drive a stick for the first time. She LOVES this car, and I have to say that while it may not be my personal style, I am VERY impressed with this car! The handling is something I'll never experience in my Impala, thats for sure!
Anyway, I noticed the check engine light on and we drove to Autozone to pull the codes. There were several, and the guy there suggested clearing them, and then dealing with whatever returned because he had no way to tell how old they were.
So we did this, and drove for a while with no codes, until the P0661 and P0037.
The P0037 code seems simple enough, replace an O2 sensor aft of the cat. I don't know anything about these cars, but I think I can figure that one out.
The other code, the P0661 has me worried. I read several posts regarding this "SSV circuit low on 2". I know it refers to a solenoid.
My question is this - I know I should fix it just BECAUSE, but I don't know what it DOES. Can the car be safely driven with this code showing? It drives PERFECT from my perception, smooth, no missing, etc.
My daughter needs to drive this car 300 miles south to start school on Monday. So can I let her leave like this and get to it next month, or is this something that could destroy the engine now!
The guy I bought the car from today said the check engine indicator has been there since he bought the car 2 years ago. It WAS there when I checked the codes the first time, and then returned after we cleared the codes. I can assume he has been driving it like this for a long time.
I really appreciate any advice on this one, and I must confess that when my daughter leaves to go back to school, I'll miss her AND the RX8!
Thank you
I just bought my daughter an RX8 today. A little about myself, I'm an enthusiast but on a different forum. I have an Impala SS 1995 with a 396 Stroker and a 6 speed T56 Magnum currently being installed! So that said, I know NOTHING about these cars.
I just bought one for my daughter and I'm teaching her to drive a stick for the first time. She LOVES this car, and I have to say that while it may not be my personal style, I am VERY impressed with this car! The handling is something I'll never experience in my Impala, thats for sure!
Anyway, I noticed the check engine light on and we drove to Autozone to pull the codes. There were several, and the guy there suggested clearing them, and then dealing with whatever returned because he had no way to tell how old they were.
So we did this, and drove for a while with no codes, until the P0661 and P0037.
The P0037 code seems simple enough, replace an O2 sensor aft of the cat. I don't know anything about these cars, but I think I can figure that one out.
The other code, the P0661 has me worried. I read several posts regarding this "SSV circuit low on 2". I know it refers to a solenoid.
My question is this - I know I should fix it just BECAUSE, but I don't know what it DOES. Can the car be safely driven with this code showing? It drives PERFECT from my perception, smooth, no missing, etc.
My daughter needs to drive this car 300 miles south to start school on Monday. So can I let her leave like this and get to it next month, or is this something that could destroy the engine now!
The guy I bought the car from today said the check engine indicator has been there since he bought the car 2 years ago. It WAS there when I checked the codes the first time, and then returned after we cleared the codes. I can assume he has been driving it like this for a long time.
I really appreciate any advice on this one, and I must confess that when my daughter leaves to go back to school, I'll miss her AND the RX8!
Thank you
08-25-2012, 08:04 PM
#2
Welcome to our site.
First, to get up to speed on the RX8, read this introduction to the car thread.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/
Now for your specific questions.
The P0037 could mean that the cat is bad, rather than the 2nd O2 sensor. Pull it down from the front and take a look in side to see the condition of the honeycomb.
The P0661 SSV error refers to a valve in the intake that opens and closes ports, as the rpms rise and fall, that allow the car operate optimally.
There is a service manual available online and for download that can help troubleshoot problems. I don't happen to know that address at the moment.
Maybe someone else can help with that.
First, to get up to speed on the RX8, read this introduction to the car thread.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/
Now for your specific questions.
The P0037 could mean that the cat is bad, rather than the 2nd O2 sensor. Pull it down from the front and take a look in side to see the condition of the honeycomb.
The P0661 SSV error refers to a valve in the intake that opens and closes ports, as the rpms rise and fall, that allow the car operate optimally.
There is a service manual available online and for download that can help troubleshoot problems. I don't happen to know that address at the moment.
Maybe someone else can help with that.
08-25-2012, 10:16 PM
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08-26-2012, 01:36 AM
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wow guys will envy your daughter big time! A college girl driving an 8, guys will be all over her!
For the first code, I would suggest you check the cat as well. If its clogged, you risk permanently damaging the engine while driving it. Take it off, shine a light through it and check if the honeycombs are clear.
For the 2nd, well its hard to say. Could be a bad solenoid, actuator... My rx8 is currently at the dealer for faulty air solenoid. Its not the most common problem but it is not unfrequent. There is a nice DIY from John316g about how to check them.
For the first code, I would suggest you check the cat as well. If its clogged, you risk permanently damaging the engine while driving it. Take it off, shine a light through it and check if the honeycombs are clear.
For the 2nd, well its hard to say. Could be a bad solenoid, actuator... My rx8 is currently at the dealer for faulty air solenoid. Its not the most common problem but it is not unfrequent. There is a nice DIY from John316g about how to check them.
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