Noob Questions
12-03-2010, 07:13 PM
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Noob Questions
Hey guys,
Just picked up an '8 and had some noob questions, never had a good car with so many options, so I wanted to ask you guys some questions that I've been having trouble with:
-How do I adjust the thermostat on the car/get hot air for heating? I've been trying to get heat, but all it shoots out is cold air. Is it the ambient temperature? How do I adjust it so that it shoots out hot air? I have the cool/hot dial to all the way hot and A/C off.
-There's always a beep coming from the front of the car after it has been on for a few minutes. I warm up the car by idling it for a few minutes and in that period of time the beep starts and stays for the whole time until I turn the car off. It's a constant beep, with no cut offs or anything. Can someone tell me if this is normal or is it some sort of code? There are NO warning lights. The car has the Mazda Speed CAI, not sure if that would make the noise.
-I was trying to look at the manual as to what the buttons on the rear view mirror do, sorry I know this is probably a really noob question, but what the heck do they do? Here's a pic of it: http://img602.imageshack.us/i/img20101203212610.jpg/ The first three buttons has a house an arrow and one oval, two ovals, and three ovals respectively (from left to right). Then there's a button with a vertical line, and one with a cirlce.
-The light in one of the seat heater buttons does not work, can someone tell if it is easy to replace? If it is, which specific light bulb model do I need and how do I go about replacing it?
-How do I know my '8 is flooded? It runs fine now, but I was scared of having it stall a few times since I hadn't driven a manual for a few years so it took some time.
-Lastly, can someone tell me some common trouble prevention steps/tips to keep my '8 maintained?
EDITS: Car is an 2004, GT model with 100,000 KMs and a brand NEW engine.
Just picked up an '8 and had some noob questions, never had a good car with so many options, so I wanted to ask you guys some questions that I've been having trouble with:
-How do I adjust the thermostat on the car/get hot air for heating? I've been trying to get heat, but all it shoots out is cold air. Is it the ambient temperature? How do I adjust it so that it shoots out hot air? I have the cool/hot dial to all the way hot and A/C off.
-There's always a beep coming from the front of the car after it has been on for a few minutes. I warm up the car by idling it for a few minutes and in that period of time the beep starts and stays for the whole time until I turn the car off. It's a constant beep, with no cut offs or anything. Can someone tell me if this is normal or is it some sort of code? There are NO warning lights. The car has the Mazda Speed CAI, not sure if that would make the noise.
-I was trying to look at the manual as to what the buttons on the rear view mirror do, sorry I know this is probably a really noob question, but what the heck do they do? Here's a pic of it: http://img602.imageshack.us/i/img20101203212610.jpg/ The first three buttons has a house an arrow and one oval, two ovals, and three ovals respectively (from left to right). Then there's a button with a vertical line, and one with a cirlce.
-The light in one of the seat heater buttons does not work, can someone tell if it is easy to replace? If it is, which specific light bulb model do I need and how do I go about replacing it?
-How do I know my '8 is flooded? It runs fine now, but I was scared of having it stall a few times since I hadn't driven a manual for a few years so it took some time.
-Lastly, can someone tell me some common trouble prevention steps/tips to keep my '8 maintained?
EDITS: Car is an 2004, GT model with 100,000 KMs and a brand NEW engine.
Last edited by Dynamito; 12-03-2010 at 09:24 PM.
12-03-2010, 07:27 PM
#2
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Never fear Jedi is here!
I'll try and answer your questions / concerns in order
- if you're turning the dial towards the right (towards the red dashes) then that should indicate that you want hot air. Is the car warmed up and still not blowing hot air? Try turning the A/C button ON and turning it all the way to the right.
- beep? uhhh, not sure about that one.
- I'm assuming your car is equipped with a Homelink system. The buttons can be programmed to open your garage door. Another button enables / disables the 'auto-dim' function which dims the mirror where there is direct sunlight
- does the seat warm up? I'm wondering if the connection came loose somehow.
Let us know if the seat warms up or not. If it doesn't, we can show you how to remove that panel and check the connection.
- If your car is flooded, it will not start. You will crank the key but it will not start.
- for that one, I am going to direct you to the Search feature of our website and I encourage you to do some reading here and learn from all of our experiences. I guarantee you, there is an enormous wealth of knowledge here if you take the time to look around.
what year is your 8? how many miles?
I'll try and answer your questions / concerns in order
- if you're turning the dial towards the right (towards the red dashes) then that should indicate that you want hot air. Is the car warmed up and still not blowing hot air? Try turning the A/C button ON and turning it all the way to the right.
- beep? uhhh, not sure about that one.
- I'm assuming your car is equipped with a Homelink system. The buttons can be programmed to open your garage door. Another button enables / disables the 'auto-dim' function which dims the mirror where there is direct sunlight
- does the seat warm up? I'm wondering if the connection came loose somehow.
Let us know if the seat warms up or not. If it doesn't, we can show you how to remove that panel and check the connection.
- If your car is flooded, it will not start. You will crank the key but it will not start.
- for that one, I am going to direct you to the Search feature of our website and I encourage you to do some reading here and learn from all of our experiences. I guarantee you, there is an enormous wealth of knowledge here if you take the time to look around.
what year is your 8? how many miles?
12-03-2010, 07:41 PM
#3
First off, what year is your 8? And what type transmission?
About the constant beep, are there any warning lights that are illuminated? Tire pressure, oil level, anything like that? If there is just a beep with no lights then I don't know what it could be....
For the heater, turn the A/C button on, turn the dial all the way to the red and see if that does it...
If your car starts then its not flooded. And I'm pretty sure that stalling out won't flood the engine, because I think it has to sit for a little while after you cut it off too soon before it will flood. Doesn't happen immediately when the car cuts off
As for trouble prevention steps, there is a ton of stuff out there you can read about and do....... First, be sure you have read your manual because a whole lot of stuff is addressed in there. Also, check out this thread https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
There is a lot of good info there.
About the constant beep, are there any warning lights that are illuminated? Tire pressure, oil level, anything like that? If there is just a beep with no lights then I don't know what it could be....
For the heater, turn the A/C button on, turn the dial all the way to the red and see if that does it...
If your car starts then its not flooded. And I'm pretty sure that stalling out won't flood the engine, because I think it has to sit for a little while after you cut it off too soon before it will flood. Doesn't happen immediately when the car cuts off
As for trouble prevention steps, there is a ton of stuff out there you can read about and do....... First, be sure you have read your manual because a whole lot of stuff is addressed in there. Also, check out this thread https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
There is a lot of good info there.
Last edited by lateralus; 12-03-2010 at 07:49 PM.
12-03-2010, 08:12 PM
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Thanks guys, my car is 04 manual transmission. 100,000 kms. The engine was replaced before I bought it due to low compression in rotor #2.
The heating issue is a bit weird, I've let it warm up for about 5-10 minutes before and it does not heat. I had it heat up once for a few minutes then went back to cold air, is there a thermostat that sets a desired temperature?? I'll try the A/C option.
As for the seats, yes they BOTH heat up its just that ONE of the lights on the button does not light up. The light bulb's just dead I'm guessing?
As for the beep, there are NO warning lights that illuminate. Should I take it to a Mazda and get it inspected?
Lastly for trouble prevention steps. lateralus mentioned checking the manual... I checked an online one, is there one that I can download or even print for my year/model? (04 rx8-gt)
The heating issue is a bit weird, I've let it warm up for about 5-10 minutes before and it does not heat. I had it heat up once for a few minutes then went back to cold air, is there a thermostat that sets a desired temperature?? I'll try the A/C option.
As for the seats, yes they BOTH heat up its just that ONE of the lights on the button does not light up. The light bulb's just dead I'm guessing?
As for the beep, there are NO warning lights that illuminate. Should I take it to a Mazda and get it inspected?
Lastly for trouble prevention steps. lateralus mentioned checking the manual... I checked an online one, is there one that I can download or even print for my year/model? (04 rx8-gt)
Last edited by Dynamito; 12-03-2010 at 08:15 PM.
12-03-2010, 08:22 PM
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I'm quite sure they do all work, as I've seen them all illuminate once the key is turned before engine is on. I'll confirm. Took a pic of the lights right when they turned on, I know its blurry but thats the best I could do since they turn on so fast lol. Here they are:
http://img339.imageshack.us/i/img20101203212637.jpg
http://img339.imageshack.us/i/img20101203212637.jpg
Last edited by Dynamito; 12-03-2010 at 08:33 PM.
12-03-2010, 10:44 PM
#8
I can only suggest one. To check if your HVAC control works; turn your car key to ACC, hold down the stereo's power button and the scan up button at the same time. On your digital screen the "A/C TEMP" should pop-up. Turn your temp. **** and it should adjusts from 0 - 16. If it doesn't or it fluctuates intermittently. The control's broken. There's a DYI for that as well.
12-04-2010, 10:47 AM
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Yeah it seems like I have the heater problem listed in the https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-no-heat-repair-heater-control-158200/ page. Is there anyone in Toronto/GTA area that would like to fix this for me? I'll pay.
12-04-2010, 11:26 AM
#10
Besides the link that "lateralus" added, here's another link you should read as a preventative measure to keep your rotary healthy.
Congratulations, you got an 8
Congratulations, you got an 8
12-04-2010, 12:03 PM
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THe loss of hot air is a huge issue with 04 rx8's, you need to look for the Heater Control DIY which shows you how to take your heater unit out of your dash and then take it apart to solder 3 connections. I had this same issue when I first bought the car. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=158200 It takes a little bit of work, so plan out a couple of hours, especially if you're not proficient with electrical connections and soldering. Take your time and feel it out slowly.
You'll know your 8 is flooded when it won't turn over. Flooding probably isn't going to happen for you unless you leave your car sitting for a long time, or if your spark plugs need to be replaced. It's easy to check this one, just turn over your car...If it doesn't ever come to life, then give it a little push to get going then try to start it again while it's rolling (if you have a manual) OR Mazda gives you a free anti-flooding warranty fix...So just call them if you're in a pinch! (Although, you should probably ask them if that free pick up has been used or not...)
You'll know your 8 is flooded when it won't turn over. Flooding probably isn't going to happen for you unless you leave your car sitting for a long time, or if your spark plugs need to be replaced. It's easy to check this one, just turn over your car...If it doesn't ever come to life, then give it a little push to get going then try to start it again while it's rolling (if you have a manual) OR Mazda gives you a free anti-flooding warranty fix...So just call them if you're in a pinch! (Although, you should probably ask them if that free pick up has been used or not...)
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