My 2007 RX-8 AT with 21k miles has a hard time starting and as soon as I am able to start it I have no power when putting it in drive or reverse and the engine light flashes continuously. Not sure what to do? Could it be the plugs/coils or do I need to take it to the dealer?

 

Flashing CEL is always a misfire. It could be plugs/coils, but it could also be a lot of other things.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...t-here-222280/
Pull the engine codes. Also does it smoke badly when misfiring?

 

Yeah it does smoke. I'm trying to figure out if I should spend money on a tow truck to take it to the dealer or on coils and plugs.

 

The dealer is the last resort in my opinion. They will happily waste your money as they randomly try things, but if you have a little know how you can sort it out yourself. Coils and plugs is a fairly quick and easy diy job, but I'd try a couple of easier things first. Clean the e-shaft sensor, and clean the MAF. If it's misfiring that badly I doubt you had multiple coils fail all at the same time.

 

Went ahead and bought the new BHR ignition system and I'm going to swap out the air filter and clean the MAF beforehand. So if these things don't fix it will getting the engine swapped if it ends up being low compression damage the coils at all?

 

Just wanted to update this thread in case anyone else runs into the same issue. I went ahead and cleaned the MAF, replaced the air filter, swapped out the spark plugs and upgraded to the BHR ignition system and the car started great and now runs better than ever!

 

A tune up does amazing things. I swore it was a whole new car.

 

Glad it worked out.