Okay.
Info first

2005 Mazda Rx8
6 port MT
65k miles
(No Modifications)


Never any problems regarding start up. 700 Miles on a new engine


**when starting the passed 3 days. they car cranks very weak and doesnt seem to want to start (almost like a dead battery) but after 2 or 3 tries at cranking it kicks up and starts. Does this sound more like a dead battery or a dead alternator. Ive tried driving it for a short while then turning it off and then starting again and it is also weak.**


Thank in Advance for any help.

 

Rule out the battery first....use some cables and hook it up to another battery or change it out for a known good one

If that doesn't help then check the starter and connections to it, as well as the engine grounds to make sure there is a good connection

After that the engine needs to be checked......

Personally at 700 miles I would take it back and tell them to fix it

 

It was replaced because previous had low compression. It has new coils, plugs, wires.

 

Ther have been remans that died with less miles than that

Likely electrical ...check that first

 

Also, If this adds to helping the diagnoses. When it does start the dash looks as if the battery had reset it. (idiot light) on and the DSC off lite, till i reset it left right deal. Alsoonce she cranks the RPM guages does its sweep but its jittery it kinda "Lags" around like jumping as if you were lagging

 

Definitely electrical then....check the engine grounds are hooked up...and check the battery. Often the dealer will kill the battery when doing engine swaps because they over discharge thenm a few times trying to get things running

Starters don't like being overheated either...but that wouldn't explain your battery issues

 

Good deal, when im off work (if she starts and lets me go home) Ill swap the battery and see if a different one starts her up. Ill also grab a ground wire diagram and check those as well as starter connections. I had already checked terminals for a bad connection. maybe they need a quick sanding on the terminal connection and the wire terminal inside

 

Check the alternator output & belt tension.

 

how do i check the output. What should the tension be. little to none, correct?

 

Ok Update.. On my lunch break i removed the cables from the battery. Shaved the terminals to a shine. Scraped the inside of the cables terminals. Reattached. Tension on the belt for Alt. Seems tight as it always has been. I also checked the connections and everything seems tight. Opened the cover on the alts cable output i believe and loosened. Reseated the cable and tightened down. Car still started sluggishly but it may have been a bad battery not charging or something. Drove to work shut it off and it cranked strong.. I have 2 hours till i leave here so when i leave we will see if she is starting strong again. If not ill be back to post. Thanks for the help and support thus far.

 

Ok guys, I cleaned everything checked the connections. It was able to start this morning with some problems still. On my lunch break it attempted to start but died out all the lights faded off. and the next attempt just Rapid Clicking.. Starter... or Battery...

Thanks in Advance

 

Do you have an upgraded starter?
I had a problem where my starter wasn't engaging to the flywheel and all you would hear was the starter spinning, no cranking sounds what so ever.

I had to purchase a new upgraded starter but I also had a low compression engine and haven't received my car back yet to tell you if that solved it or not. Did you check your engine's compression after you received the car?

 

Its not spinning, turning over, nothing. Just the dash lights up. Turn the key and a Rapid Clicking. Im taking the battery in to the local store now to check it to see if its good or bad. If its good ill get the car running and bring it in to test the alternator. Ill return with the results.

 

Battery Tested, Bad Battery.

Replaced, Car running again. And strong start.

Thanks!