Seeking Advice: Recurring Issues and Possible Crankshaft Sensor Failure in 2005 Mazda RX8

Hey, your intuition might be spot on. Had a similar issue with my 2002 Mazda MX5. Same symptoms: erratic engine, power loss, and trouble starting. Turned out the bugger was the crankshaft sensor wiring harness/connector that was shot. It was definitely a serious issue, the engine just wouldn't cooperate without a properly functioning crankshaft sensor, kinda like its lifeline. From what I experienced at the garage, it wasn't an oil change, but neither was it a massive engine overhaul. They had to get in there, diagnose the exact cause, replace the faulty parts, and do a couple of trial runs. Keep in mind, it's fairly labor-intensive to replace the wiring harness, it isn't exactly a breezy job. Don't ignore the symptoms though. In my case, nipping the problem in the bud prevented further possible damage. Get her checked out sooner rather than later. And don't sweat it too much, these things happen. Good luck with round 2 at the garage!

Hey there! Your story rings a bell with my 2004 RX8's dance too. Same song of engine problem with the check engine light being the unwanted spotlight. Crankshaft sensor was indeed the culprit, just like your intuition and our here confirmed. I'd just like to second the fact that it isn't a piece of cake to replace that wiring harness, but it's necessary if you don't want to further damage your beloved ride. And trust me, you definitely don't wanna deal with that. By the way, do you remember the ballpark figure you paid for the fix? And was there anything else that popped up down the road after you got the crankshaft issue resolved? Thanks!

Hey! Just like you suspected, and our here mentioned, the culprit in my old MX5 case was really the crankshaft sensor wiring harness/connector. My trusted mechanic dug into it and got it all sorted out eventually. Not gonna lie, the job was pretty labor-intensive and a bit pricey. Cast me about 170€usteros to get it all in order. Remember though, it beats the devil out of dealing with the potential damage if you let it fester. Following the repair, she ran smoother than a gravy sandwich, no other issues popped up. So, might just be your lucky break. I know it's a pain, it sure ain't an oil change, but it definitely saves you from a more serious engine meltdown. Hope your second garage round goes smoother!

Appreciate the replies, lads! Your similar stories have kind of put my mind at ease. Looks like my instinct was leading me right, the cheeky crankshaft sensor is the likely scoundrel here. I ain't thrilled about the labor-intensive and cost aspect, but if it plays out smooth after, I reckon it's worth it. No one wants an engine meltdown, eh? And by the way, I can't quite remember the cost last time since it was a different issue. But I'll surely keep you posted once I get the bills and know what hits my wallet this time. Alright then, time to brave round 2 at the garage! Hoping for less of a battle and more of a simple pit stop. Thanks for sharing your journeys! Cheers!