Weird red light came on today

red8 · #1 07-26-2010, 02:31 AM

I was driving my 2 day old (to me) 2004 Rx-8 on the highway when the oil light came on. As I was on the highway I had to get to a Canadian Tire to get some 5w20 but I also noticed another light come on while I was driving and I have never seen this one on any other car. It looked kind of like a radiator grille or some thing. A red rectangle with bars vertically through it and a cap like thing on top. It only came on for about 1 min and midway through my trip. I don't have the manual that should have come with the car so I can't look it up and I was hoping you guys could help me out here. So whats the deal?

spoolinmazda · #2 07-26-2010, 09:48 AM

that is your coolant ligt that is located at your expansion tank.... were you whipping around? they are know for going bad so make sure you have enough coolant in the car. For the love of god please make sure you check your oil often (like weekly at least)

red8 · #3 07-26-2010, 02:07 PM

OK good to know. No, I wasn't whipping around just driving on the highway. Why check the oil every week? Just the nature of the engine burning it?

LunchboxCritter · #4 07-26-2010, 03:24 PM

Don't worry about that radiator light, ours comes on randomly while driving. We've tried replacing the cap with a high pressure cap and it still comes on.

I have read that you can unhook the harness going to the sensor on the overflow to make it go off, or you can replace the over flow tank to replace the sensor. Some people have had luck pulling the tank and cleaning it really well.

I haven't tried that yet, and new one costs around $160.00 if I'm not mistaken.

Change your oil asap, then watch your odometer, it should use about a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so.

FYI: rotory engines pump oil into the combustion chambers for lubrication while running, so it's normal for them to use oil.

L8APEX · #5 08-04-2010, 08:24 AM

I have disconnected the little gray plug at the expansion tank...my sensor has gone bad, despite the tank being filled to the proper line, that light on my car stays lit...but not anymore!

And yeah, check that oil, regularly, and maybe switch to something a little thicker in the summer months especially, 10w40 at a minimum, I run 20w50 in mine year round.