Ok so here is the deal with my car....

They said according to my cars cpu it is a California Spec cpu and in 2005 with 9,000kms it was in an accident estimating $13,000 in damage. The car was sent to a shop in Niagara Falls and repaired there. Then claimed to have put in a new cpu (Cali Spec). So they are saying due to the emission standard difference between Canada and California, the cpu is throwing everything off. The cpu is NOT covered at all. So they seem to be very sure that this cali spec cpu is giving me this P0302 code issue. Mazda of Canada was involved in this decision and did all the research on the vehicle. So they left me with 2 opions:

Buy a NEW Mazda CPU for $2,100

or

Buy a USED Mazda CPU for $800 installed with 3 month warrenty

So im planning to go with the used one. Tell me what you guys think about the whole issue... I havent had the car for about 2 weeks now, and they lent me a brand new 2011 Mazda 3 sport with 1km on it while they have mine for free But i still miss my car

Thanks guys

 

Or you get a used CPU and they re-program it to as built data for about $100 in tech time if the guy knows what he is doing I did mine in 40 minutes...so even a duffus should be able to do it in an hour

 

Oh man, this is not cool...........

 

Holy ****.. Dude when I was planning on buying my 8 I was planning on importing one from the states. I found one in california and even contacted the seller. I ended up not buying it cause of the price (a tad higher than my budget). But I also heard about the cali emissions and some people said its true and others were like "there's no such thing". But now that I see this I'm very glad I didn't buy. I hope everything goes well man. And just heads up for everyone in the future from canada DO NOT BUY AN 8 FROM CALIFORNIA !!

 

Wow
You didn't know the history of the car before this?

 

i checked and i didnt see nothing on the vehicle. But anyways the car is in prestine condition, like there is nothing bent, and the report doesnt tell u they put a cali cpu in. The car drive completly fine other then that issue.. Now im just feeling more scared with the feedback im getting... should i get rid of the car??

 

If you want to keep the car, go for the USED Mazda CUP just like what you think......

 

13G's in damage?!?! Is that right???
The car had to get bent for such a high price for repairs.
Sorry to hear.

At this point, if you still want the car or have no other means of transportation, you might as well keep it and get the right ECU for it.
Otherwise, I would get rid of it. Keep in mind you're going to take a very big hit when you do get rid of it.

I would never get an American equivalent if I'm searching for a car. Unless its new, you take so many risks when its used.

 

Wow, no Car-fax or Car-Proof. Mike, did you buy it private or a dealer, if a dealer you may have some recourse as they should of divulged the car's history.

 

i bought it private, but before he bought it, he bought it from a kia dealership. Shows on the ministry of transportation form. he was the 2nd owner. The first owner was the one in the accident, he put 24000k, then the sencond owner put 25000k, i bought it with 51k. The car is perfect, im telling you. The car is a canadian car, but when the replaced the cpu it was a cali, spec. 13000$ damage is easy, our headlights are like 1500 ea. plus body panels, paint, and other parts. I hope the cpu issue fixes the issue, and it not, then they will prolly lean toward giving me a new motor. I do plan on keeping this car. This car is my world, and it drives like a dream even if it was in an accident. I have no complaints on how it drives cause to me it drives like a brand new car. I will be goin for the used cpu, it should be in on monday, and I will let u guys know any updates.

 

Sounds like a nightmare.. good luck man

 

Yeah man, keep us update, sigh~

 

The only thing I can say is when do CPU's actually go bad? 3 month warranty should be plenty, if it's defective, you'll know right away. I'd only be affraid if it's taken on water/water damage.

 

I don't understand what can be different. The ECU is emissions.

The only thing that may be different is the O2 sensor, which I doubt.

The CAT is the same.

P302 misfire code can be alot of things like carbon build up plugs or coils.

 

Modern troubleshooting works like this:

Replace everything related at owner expense

I find it hard to believe that the ECU is physically different just for CA

 

They did a carbon clean up, new coils, new plugs, did resets like KAN reset, checked injectors, wires, spark plug test, and they said its all fine. So i dunno

 

Any update on this?

 

I got an error ( P0420 ) the other week
in my New to me 2004

I took it in to my local dealership in Calgary
turns out its the catalytic converter
luckily it was covered by a warranty (up to 90.000 kms)
I got a new on fitted at no cost

I’m not sure if Mazda Canada will cover a US Mazda ?
But it might be worth asking ?


P.S. ALWAYS do a carproof or carfax when buying used
it can save a lot of headaches

Borgy

 

Mazda warranty is a North American warranty. I just brought up a 2009 R3 from Florida (did the fog light DRL mod with one but connector to pass the RIV inspection) and I checked the warranty info by phone with Mazda USA and printed out the info on the mazdausa website and it also says to bring the car to any Mazda dealership in the US or Canada...............

Hmmm, sell my 2005 VR GT (already for sale) or the 2009 R3?

Cheers

 

I have the same CEL code (P0420). Is the cat covered up to 160,000kms or just 100,000kms?

 

160k km... 100k miles.

 

I believe it was only for 90k on the CAT because its classed as a consumable part
but Mazda knows there are issues with older ones

 

Mazda Canada got back to me. The emissions system is covered for 8yrs/128,000kms. So I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow. Any tips if they try to blame my AEM CAI?

 

My dealer was fantastic, they told me it was warranty and that it was totally free.

 

The Mazdaspeed CAI is basically the AEM CAI. I think the only difference are the MAF screens.