Car dies...

***Herblenny*** · 04-14-2008, 10:38 PM

I got in the car this afternoon and car wouldn't start as the battery was death..

After installing a new battery the car started fine. Drove about 4-5 miles and all the sudden, car dies. I was able to start it back up, drove down the street and as soon as I engage the clutch, put in neutral, the idle goes super low and engine dies.

I was able to drive the car home but I had to keep the idle high in order to keep the car alive. I don't understand way changing the battery would do this...

Anyone have any ideas?

-xlr8planet- · 04-14-2008, 10:46 PM

your alternator might be dead or faulty

the new battery might die soon.

blwnrtr93 · 04-15-2008, 02:12 AM

Did you ever get the charging system checked after changing everything at the Gap?

***Herblenny*** · 04-15-2008, 06:52 AM

I'll take the alternator and see whats up..

But when I did start the car and idle at 800RPM, it was making 13.8V.

blwnrtr93 · 04-15-2008, 08:54 AM

if it's pushing 13.8 it should be ok. i know advance or autozone can check the whole of the charging system on the car, but since it is dying when the rpms drop driving the car there isn't much of an option.

***Herblenny*** · 04-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Ok.. Now I got the car started and drove for about 10 mins. Car NOW seems fine!! i just don't understand what the problem is... Everytime, its something new...

WE3RX7 · 04-15-2008, 04:08 PM

Maybe it was just a loose connection on the battery/alt from playing with it at the gap...

I would still have the alt checked to be sure.

I'm still leaning towards fuel filter, lol...

My5ABaby · 04-15-2008, 04:09 PM

The only time my car (FC) ever just went dead on me, I had a bad connection at the battery. Basically the terminal connector would randomly fail on me (corrosion I guess) and my car would die. I'm not sure why though since I've seen cars run just on the alternator with no battery, but

. Just something that may help.

***Herblenny*** · 04-16-2008, 10:02 AM

Yesterday, I took off from work early and did some testing and checking..

All the connection seems to be ok and I also checked the VFAD. Everything seems to be OK.

So, I started the car and the car started and died as the idle came back down. So, I started up again and kept the RPM up and it stayed alive.. I kept the idle up for about 30 secs and it idled back down..

I then shut the car off and did the ecu reset. I started the car and it started fine and idled perfect!!

So, this is where I stand today..

This morning... I started the car, it started, and died as RPM went from 3k to 1k.. and dead.

I started the car again and it started fine!!! I drove it to work and everything seemed ok..

I just don't understand??

PHIL

My5ABaby · 04-16-2008, 10:10 AM

Those symptoms rule out the relevance to my problem.

Yay for RX-8s?

blwnrtr93 · 04-16-2008, 11:18 AM

Is the computer throwing any codes after it does this?

fikren · 04-16-2008, 11:39 AM

I wonder if the problems you were having with the alt putting out 24v might have had an impact on the ECU.

My5ABaby · 04-16-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fikren

I wonder if the problems you were having with the alt putting out 24v might have had an impact on the ECU.

I would assume 24v could be very damaging. I know on FC's, anything over 15volts can damage things, and 24v would likely blow the ECU, much less injure it.

djmtsu · 04-16-2008, 12:38 PM

YOU CANNOT HAVE THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AT ADVANCE OR ANY AUTO PARTS STORE.

Their equipment cannot simulate the circuit within the RX-8's ECU to get an accurate test.

***Herblenny*** · 04-16-2008, 02:50 PM

By the way, the 24V thing at DGRR wasn't true...

Later that night, I couldn't believe that the alternator was producing that kind of volt so I decided to check another FE... Sure enough, the other FE was producing the same voltage. I then guessed that the volt meter was off.. Next day volt meter was tested and sure enough, it was bad.

My volt meter suggest that the car is producing enough voltage.. My guess now is that 8 is sucking up power and when voltage drops its putting the car in the limp mode (my previous problem). My current problem, I'm guessing maybe the ECU had to learn?? I'm just keep an eye out and see... I guess if I make it hope ok, then I'm good.

Oh, does anyone have any info about changing out Fuel Filters?? I'm just going to go ahead and do that just in case..

04-14-2008, 10:38 PM	#1
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	Car dies... I got in the car this afternoon and car wouldn't start as the battery was death.. After installing a new battery the car started fine. Drove about 4-5 miles and all the sudden, car dies. I was able to start it back up, drove down the street and as soon as I engage the clutch, put in neutral, the idle goes super low and engine dies. I was able to drive the car home but I had to keep the idle high in order to keep the car alive. I don't understand way changing the battery would do this... Anyone have any ideas? __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

04-14-2008, 10:46 PM	#2
-xlr8planet- RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina iTrader: (4) Posts: 679 Rep Power: 17	your alternator might be dead or faulty the new battery might die soon. __________________ www.rx7club.com.ar RX-7 Forum in Spanish I make custom decals. Yes, you can ask me

04-15-2008, 02:12 AM	#3
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL iTrader: (1) Posts: 379 Rep Power: 17	Did you ever get the charging system checked after changing everything at the Gap? __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

04-15-2008, 06:52 AM	#4
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	I'll take the alternator and see whats up.. But when I did start the car and idle at 800RPM, it was making 13.8V. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

04-15-2008, 08:54 AM	#5
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL iTrader: (1) Posts: 379 Rep Power: 17	if it's pushing 13.8 it should be ok. i know advance or autozone can check the whole of the charging system on the car, but since it is dying when the rpms drop driving the car there isn't much of an option. __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

04-15-2008, 03:37 PM	#6
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	Ok.. Now I got the car started and drove for about 10 mins. Car NOW seems fine!! i just don't understand what the problem is... Everytime, its something new... __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

04-15-2008, 04:08 PM	#7
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	Maybe it was just a loose connection on the battery/alt from playing with it at the gap... I would still have the alt checked to be sure. I'm still leaning towards fuel filter, lol...

04-15-2008, 04:09 PM	#8
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	The only time my car (FC) ever just went dead on me, I had a bad connection at the battery. Basically the terminal connector would randomly fail on me (corrosion I guess) and my car would die. I'm not sure why though since I've seen cars run just on the alternator with no battery, but . Just something that may help. __________________ 1986 Sport: 132k miles, 5A (Sapphire Blue Metallic), Tokico Blues, Racing Beat Springs, Custom LED tailights (only S4 LED tails in the world), SSR Mark II, Racing Beat exhaust, S5 black interior, Rotary Resurrection rebuild at 120k miles Community Service Manual RotorWiki "Imagination costs nothing; we could build square locomotives or fly to Mars" - Felix Wankel Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."

04-16-2008, 10:02 AM	#9
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	Yesterday, I took off from work early and did some testing and checking.. All the connection seems to be ok and I also checked the VFAD. Everything seems to be OK. So, I started the car and the car started and died as the idle came back down. So, I started up again and kept the RPM up and it stayed alive.. I kept the idle up for about 30 secs and it idled back down.. I then shut the car off and did the ecu reset. I started the car and it started fine and idled perfect!! So, this is where I stand today.. This morning... I started the car, it started, and died as RPM went from 3k to 1k.. and dead. I started the car again and it started fine!!! I drove it to work and everything seemed ok.. I just don't understand?? PHIL __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

04-16-2008, 10:10 AM	#10
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Those symptoms rule out the relevance to my problem. Yay for RX-8s? __________________ 1986 Sport: 132k miles, 5A (Sapphire Blue Metallic), Tokico Blues, Racing Beat Springs, Custom LED tailights (only S4 LED tails in the world), SSR Mark II, Racing Beat exhaust, S5 black interior, Rotary Resurrection rebuild at 120k miles Community Service Manual RotorWiki "Imagination costs nothing; we could build square locomotives or fly to Mars" - Felix Wankel Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."

04-16-2008, 11:18 AM	#11
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL iTrader: (1) Posts: 379 Rep Power: 17	Is the computer throwing any codes after it does this? __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

04-16-2008, 11:39 AM	#12
fikren Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chattanooga, TN iTrader: (7) Posts: 318 Rep Power: 17	I wonder if the problems you were having with the alt putting out 24v might have had an impact on the ECU. __________________ 93 bb rx7 Destined to be the never ending project car or possible part source for the rotary rat rod 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 - bankruptcy owned me RE-Amemiya Super Dolphin Tail Exhaust-for sale AutoExe Front and Rear Strut Bars-for sale AutoExe Member Brace Set-for sale 2008 Honda CBR600RR - bankruptcy owned me Motivation axle/fork/barend/frame sliders ASV "unbreakable" shorty levers Tripage Integrated Tailight and Adj FE Proton Fushmounts Akrapovic Hex Carbon/TI Slip On Sato Rearsets

04-16-2008, 12:38 PM	#14
djmtsu My minds tellin' me no... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (10) Posts: 4,043 Rep Power: 21	YOU CANNOT HAVE THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AT ADVANCE OR ANY AUTO PARTS STORE. Their equipment cannot simulate the circuit within the RX-8's ECU to get an accurate test. __________________ 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 2003 Toyota Tundra TRD 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5

04-16-2008, 02:50 PM	#15
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	By the way, the 24V thing at DGRR wasn't true... Later that night, I couldn't believe that the alternator was producing that kind of volt so I decided to check another FE... Sure enough, the other FE was producing the same voltage. I then guessed that the volt meter was off.. Next day volt meter was tested and sure enough, it was bad. My volt meter suggest that the car is producing enough voltage.. My guess now is that 8 is sucking up power and when voltage drops its putting the car in the limp mode (my previous problem). My current problem, I'm guessing maybe the ECU had to learn?? I'm just keep an eye out and see... I guess if I make it hope ok, then I'm good. Oh, does anyone have any info about changing out Fuel Filters?? I'm just going to go ahead and do that just in case.. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny