Specs:
2004 rx8
6spd
143xxx on the clock
recently replaced
Plugs
wires
Fuel pump
battery
rear o2
cleaned maf & Iat
cleaned ess
cleaned throttlle body
Seafoam


About the problem

Code p0296
Only stall problems
throw it into neutral anywhere above 3 k rpm it stalls. Throw it into neutral from 2.5 it drops idle and idles nicely around 800 rpm. If I drive normally, shifting at around 4k, it has no problems but once I get on it a little it takes a few seconds say 30 before it wants to calm down. Now my opinion is pointing towards coils, but previous owner claims replacement 10k ago. Reason being is when I drive normal it responds very well but when I get on it it doesn't like it. Possible a coild just going bad, and the more it needs to work the hotter it gets thus making it throw the p0296:

Here is the freeze frame from my scanner from when the code was thrown. Anyone with more knowledge then myself see anything out of the ordinary?

Updated here are all the freeze frames collected to date 12/24/11
Trouble code p2096
Abslt tps 181.8%
Eng speed 2875 rpm
Baro prs 99kpa
calc load 35.6%
Maf 22.75 gr/sec
Out temp 66*
Coolant 204*
Iat 82*
Ign adv 38.5 deg
Second air atmos
St ftrm1 1.5f
Lt ftrm1 6:2%
Veh speed 49mph
Abslt load 30%
Fuel sys 1 closed
Rel tps 7.0%
Throt cmd 10.9%
Abs tps b 34.9%
Acc pos d 36.4%
Acc pos e 25.0%
Cat temp11 1581*f
Evap purge 3.5%
Cmd eq ratio 0.067
Clr dist 29mi
Clr trps 768
Fuel level 36.4%
Vpwr 14.121v
Eng run 26:43 min/sec

12/21/2011

Troub code
p2096
Abslt tps 19.6%
Eng speed 2574 rpm
Baro prs 100 kpa
Calc load 43.1%
Maf 24.94 gr/sec
Out temp 57* f
Coolant 203* f
Iat 60* f
Ign advance 28.5*
Second air Atmos
St ftrm1 0.7%
Lt ftrm1 10.1%
Veh speed 44 mph
Abslt load 36%
Fuel sys closed
Rel tps 8.2%
Throt cmd 12.1%
Abs tps b 35.2%
Acc pos d 37.2%
Acc pos e 25.8%
Cat temp 1485* f
Evap purge 3.5%
Cmd eq ration 0.969
Clr dist 24 mi
Clr trps 512
Fuel level 27%
Vpwr 14.277 v
Eng run 9:39 m/s

12/22/11

P0300
P0302
P2096

Troub code p0300
Abslt tps 14.5%
Engine speed 1530rpm
Baro prs 99 kpa
Calc load 29.8%
Maf 8.85 gr/sec
Out temp 48* f
Coolant 89* f
Iat 50* f
Ign adv 2.5 deg
Sec air atmos
St ftrm 5.4%
Lt ftrm 5.4%
Veh speed 11 mph
Abslt load 21.0%
Fuel syst closed
Rel tps 3.1%
Throt cmd 4.7%
Abs tps b 31.3%
Acc pos d 31.7%
Acc pos e 20.3%
Cat temp 1480* f
Evap purge 0%
Cmd eq ratio 0.929
Clr dist 6 mi
Clr trps 0
Fuel level 35.6
Vpwr 14.492 vh
Engine run 1:36
12/23/11

P2096
P0301
P2096

Troub code p2096
Abslt tps 28.2%
Eng speed 3179rpm
Baro prs 101kpa
Calc load 60%
Maf 45.75gr/sec
Out temp 44*f
Coolant 204*f
Iat 55*f
Ign advance 25*
Second air atmos
St ftrm1 -4.7%
Lt frtm1 13.2%
Veh speed 45mph
Abslt load 54.0%
Fuel system closed
Rel tps 16.4%
Throt cmd 24.7%
Abs tps b 42.3%
Acc pos d 42.3%
Acc pos e 31.3%
Cat temp 1617*f
Evap purge 3.9%
Cmd eq ratio 0.963
Clr dist 35mi
Clr trps 0
Fuel level 25.4%
Vpwr 14.219v
Engine run 14:23 min/sec

12/24/11


Thanks for your help in advance, this forum has been a huge help.

 

Also is the cat temp a bit high, also heard of clogged cats dealing some of the same problems.

Sorry for double post as well, on mobile don't know how to edit.

 

how long has this been occurring? Have you checked your cat damage?

 

Throttle position of 181% seems a bit high

 

Do you have an aftermarket intake?

Check your VFAD manifold nipple...a lean code is often a small vac leak

 

Rx8soldier: it only pops back on after I get on it, and that's when the stalling issue arises.
have not had an opportunity to look at the cat, working 65+ hours a week and the holiday season is a bit taxing on my time. But how common is a clogged cat, and what temp do they ussually run at, I know its hotter then a piston engine but unsure of how hot.

Dannobre: no completely stock, no mod, I had purchased the car and did notice the two nipples were uncovered when seafoaming it, so I replaced them with a set from autozone, think they could be defective? They sit on there pretty tight so I don't think that could be the issue.
and the tps does seem strange. After work tonight ill clear the code and get on it a little on the way home, see if it pops back on and take a good look at that, I might have just wrote it down wrong

 

I would look for a vac leak....

Seems strange to be throwing a lean code without any STFT though??

What 2 nipples were uncovered? There is one vac nipple om the UIM...and the 2 inspection ports on the lower manifold ( basically vac nipples).

What code is it? 2096 or 0296...you have both written in your first post?

 

2096 leanpost cat bank one I believe. The two injection one, where you add seafoam. That's when I noticed them missing.

Could you elaborate on the STFT? And I will check the UIM to see if Im missing another one.

 

Usually you will have increased STFT (and LTFT if more than 1 drive cycle) when you throw a lean code. Your car was in closed loop with normal trims....

What was the Equivalence ratio? You have a commanded value but no actual value listed?

Maybe your o2 sensor is getting inaccurate??

 

The rear o2 sensor was replaced as well forgot about that. All the values I have listed came from the code reader, if its not listed then it didn't show up or I missed it somehow. Like I said im at work until 6 or so, so once I get a chance ill post if it throws it again on the ride home

But what does the acronym for stft mean, haven't seen that used yet.

 

Short term fuel trim

Likely the front O2 would be the culprit if it was an O2 sensor...the rear is basically there to check CAT efficiency

 

Okay I saw the thread on testing the o2 sensor so ill add that to my list of things to check. Thanks for all your help dannobre. Ill be back on in a few days hopefully I can find the problem.

 

Okay so she threw the code again

Same symptoms except after the hour drive home she didn't calm down for a few minutes. From the time I got off the highway and got to home took about 15 minutes she didn't calm down until about 3 minutes from home. Here is the snapshot;
Trouble code p2096
Abslt tps 181.8%
Eng speed 2875 rpm
Baro prs 99kpa
calc load 35.6%
Maf 22.75 gr/sec
Out temp 66*
Coolant 204*
Iat 82*
Ign adv 38.5 deg
Second air atmos
St ftrm1 1.5f
Lt ftrm1 6:2%
Veh speed 49mph
Abslt load 30%
Fuel sys 1 closed
Rel tps 7.0%
Throt cmd 10.9%
Abs tps b 34.9%
Acc pos d 36.4%
Acc pos e 25.0%
Cat temp11 1581*f
Evap purge 3.5%
Cmd eq ratio 0.067
Clr dist 29mi
Clr trps 768
Fuel level 36.4%
Vpwr 14.121v
Eng run 26:43 min/sec

12/21/2011

Troub code
p2096
Abslt tps 19.6%
Eng speed 2574 rpm
Baro prs 100 kpa
Calc load 43.1%
Maf 24.94 gr/sec
Out temp 57* f
Coolant 203* f
Iat 60* f
Ign advance 28.5*
Second air Atmos
St ftrm1 0.7%
Lt ftrm1 10.1%
Veh speed 44 mph
Abslt load 36%
Fuel sys closed
Rel tps 8.2%
Throt cmd 12.1%
Abs tps b 35.2%
Acc pos d 37.2%
Acc pos e 25.8%
Cat temp 1485* f
Evap purge 3.5%
Cmd eq ration 0.969
Clr dist 24 mi
Clr trps 512
Fuel level 27%
Vpwr 14.277 v
Eng run 9:39 m/s
12/22/11
Dont have time or daylight to do some of the things on my list it will have to wait until tom at least.

As for the tps im sure I wrote it down wrong haha because this seems much more plausible.
What is odd to me going off what dannobre said earlier the ltft went up but the stft has decreased. Any comments?

 

Just an FYI.................you CAT temp is not that high IMO.
I can routinely see 1600-1650F if I'm getting on it at all.
~1340 at idle
~1580-1600 at the speed you were running(if in 4th gear).


You could unbolt the CAT at the front and pull it to the side, peer in with a flashlight and see if the honeycomb is intact, but I don't think you actually have a CAT issue.

This is gonna sound really strange, but I have heard of two people that had bad motor mounts and somehow it caused a lean code. Go figure???????

Anyway......it does sound like a vacuum leak for sure......oh, have you cleaned your throttle body? Is it possible the butterfly is sticking?

 

I forgot to add I cleaned the throttle body along with the maf and ess. I didn't remove the butteryfly but opened it and cleaned around it.

 

i am having a similar issue my code is p0296 and it also gives me a p0301 (cylinder 1 misfire) i am having the same issues you have and it is really sluggish on acceleration.......idk where to start so many things could be causing it. let me know when you figure it out ill do the same

 

Well when i got the car it wasnt running. so I replaced a few parts that were worn out. It could be a number of things. My best advice, search no scour the DIY forum, Thats where I got most of my information from. Basically, start with this thread;

HERE

This will go over most things to help you out, test all parts before you replace if possible. No need wasting money on parts that you dont need. that should get you started at least.

And once i do figure out what is the problem, i will be sure to keep you informed


Hokay this is what the reader said this time;
P0300
p0302
p2096

Troub code p0300
abslt tps 14.5%
engine speed 1530rpm
baro prs 99 kpa
calc load 29.8%
maf 8.85gr/sec
out temp 48* f
Coolant 189* f
Iat 50* f
ign adv 2.5 deg
sec air atmos
st ftrm 5.4%
lt ftrm 5.4%
veh speed 11 mph
abslt load 21%
fuel syst closed
rel tps 3.1%
throt cmd 4.7%
abs tps b 31.3%
acc pos d 31.7%
acc pos e 20.3%
cat temp 1480*f
evap purge 0%
cmd eq ratio 0.929
clr dist 6 mi
clr trps 0
fuel level 35.6
vpwr 14.493 v
engine run 11:36

that was yesterday the 23rd I believe.

But tonight was weird, i was able to take her out on some country roads I knew very well. I beat on her pretty good, but the odd thing was, no cel, no stalling problems, even put it into neutral after a redline run in 2nd. Dropped evenly, right down to just above the one the slightly below it. Confused me. Power seemed to be nice in all gears, more peppy then usual. Didnt have any problems the rest of the drive.

As for the last set of codes. It will throw either the 301 or the 302, at random, and the 300 rarely. I might have a few spare moments tomorrow to check the UIM for a vacuum leak source. Doubt I will have time for the CAT tomorrow. But that can be saved for Monday when I am going to do the oil and coolant flush. Probably add a bottle of fuel system cleaner.

 

update, run great idles nice no stalling problems recently but still throws the p2096 code every now and again. Sometimes it just flashes then goes away sometimes it stays on. But haven't had any issues with stalling for the last two days

 

You have reset the PCM so all the leaening will be wiped out each time...so LTFT wont be set. You would normally expect the LTFT to go up...and the STFT swing to stabilize at a smaller amount...thats what is supposed to happen. If you drive it for a while to stabilize it you might get a better idea what is going on. Missfires can cause lean AFR's due to higher O2 in the exhaust due to no combustion

 

Yea I have left the light on the past two days, to see how it reacts, and it seems to be performing pretty well. Like I said no stalling problems, idles nice, sometimes will drop to about 800 rpm and shake a little but hasn't bogged out on me. Still the code remains. So I'm leaning towards a vacuum leak or the front o2 sensor. Both will be looked at tomorrow when I get a free moment. Along with a oil change and coolant flush. I added some fuel system cleaner, and filled the tank yesterday. So we will see how the next few days pan out.

 

Update, couldn't find a source of a vac leak, front o2 is working fine. Changed the oil and coolant and during my drive to work today, the cel went off. Maybe just maybe for good this time. She is running really well, only stalled once getting off the highway, but other then that seems to be all good. Let's see what happens over the next few drive cycles.

 

I don't have time atm, so this is just a bump until I get a chance to explain my situation.

I thought this post was interesting while I was searching for info on the P2096

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/engine-code-p2096-resolved-issue-217828/

Funny typo in this post
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/help-p2096-post-catalyst-fuel-trim-system-too-lean-bank-1-a-210793/

Interesting tid bit at as well
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/p2096-post-cat-fuel-trim-system-too-lean-bank-1-a-220451/

Obviously the code is happening to many owners.
The P2096 code is seems to be either be caused by many things or no one really knows what the heck to do.

Gotta run .. post later

 

Update. I haven't been on here in a while. But i have an update. After the oil change and coolant flush, the cel went off and stayed off for 3 days until.... Threw an apex seal. So now it is time for a winter rebuild. Thank you everyone for your help, and I'm sure you will see my rebuild thread. As I have never rebuilt a rotary engine before and will need some help. And before anyone tells me I am going in over my head, please keep the comments to yourself. I have rebuilt engines before, just not a rotary, and I am a hands on type of person. I like to get in there and learn how to do it myself. So again thanks to all of you. hope this thread helps someone in the future.

 

Should be able to find loads of help on here if you look in the right palces. Good luck!

 

I get the same thing.
It's been like that since the turbo install. Everyone says vacuum leak, and I thought that as well ... but if looked and looked and taken **** a part and clamped and zip tied ... I can't find anything.

The only thing I would add to this is that my car does not show this behavior until the engine is fully hot.
If the engine coolant temp is around 70c it will not stall however once it gets nice and warm 80c + it will stall under the above conditions.

Oh just great ... just what I wanted to hear. lol

Right then ummm I will start a new thread I guess and reference this one.