Starter motor, plugs, battery upgrade
09-09-2005, 02:28 AM
#52
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Originally Posted by timbo
the second part was clearly not a reference to youB.....free
michael
09-09-2005, 05:20 AM
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I read this thread with interest today, living in an area that has bitter winters that put big stress on batteries and starter motors etc., and followed Labrat's advice. I sat down and wrote a note to my Service Manager expressing concern about slow starting in winter etc., and hand delivered the note as I passed by the dealership in mid-afternoon. No detailed log of problems, no hard evidence -- just a general statement of concern.
Within 30 minutes of delivering the note I had a mobile phone call from the Service Manager to say that when I present my car in the middle of next week for the recall inspection, he will replace starter motor, battery and plugs. Not a recall issue, he said, and my assessment of the situation is that Mazda Australia has told these blokes that MA will accept their judgement on this issue without reams of paper and stacks of detailed evidence.
I suggest that interested parties also follow Labrat's advice. Write a courteous letter to the dealer asking that consideration be given to replacement of parts. Some dealers might be bastards, but I think that MA has given its dealers discretion on this issue and a reasonable approach will be successful.
.
Within 30 minutes of delivering the note I had a mobile phone call from the Service Manager to say that when I present my car in the middle of next week for the recall inspection, he will replace starter motor, battery and plugs. Not a recall issue, he said, and my assessment of the situation is that Mazda Australia has told these blokes that MA will accept their judgement on this issue without reams of paper and stacks of detailed evidence.
I suggest that interested parties also follow Labrat's advice. Write a courteous letter to the dealer asking that consideration be given to replacement of parts. Some dealers might be bastards, but I think that MA has given its dealers discretion on this issue and a reasonable approach will be successful.
.
09-09-2005, 05:51 AM
#54
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Originally Posted by labrat
OK, you're a Mazda dealer. A guy comes in and says my car's slow in starting, I want a new starter motor, battery, and plugs. Sure, says the Mazda dealer, right away sir. So he does the work, and puts in his bill to Mazda Australia. MA says sorry, you didn't get our authorization, wear it yourself. Doesn't sound logical, does it?
So here's my way. You take 10 minutes to write down your problem. You're factual, objective, and you leave out the sarcasm and the CAPITAL LETTERS. After all, most of us are in business anyway, and this is a business transaction, isn't it? You fax/email/send/hand in your submission to the service manager or perhaps even better the warranty manager at the dealership. He is the guy who has the responsibility for authorizing these things.
I had a problem, and it was resolved it in a calm, pleasant, business-like manner to my perfect satisfaction.
So here's my way. You take 10 minutes to write down your problem. You're factual, objective, and you leave out the sarcasm and the CAPITAL LETTERS. After all, most of us are in business anyway, and this is a business transaction, isn't it? You fax/email/send/hand in your submission to the service manager or perhaps even better the warranty manager at the dealership. He is the guy who has the responsibility for authorizing these things.
I had a problem, and it was resolved it in a calm, pleasant, business-like manner to my perfect satisfaction.
"How is your start up this morning"????
Of course, I say. Yeah a bit slow....
One word after another - I am booked in 2 weeks.
09-09-2005, 06:28 AM
#55
I just re-read this whole thread again. Did Lock get his done? Or does he have the dubious distinction of being the only one to have to pay for a reflash and the battery/starter upgrade??
BTW - for the record (again)... My car has never flooded. I have even tried, really tried. It thas experienced cold starting "difficulties" though, but always gets there.
I'll have a courteous word to my SM about this soon.
Cheers,
Hymee.
BTW - for the record (again)... My car has never flooded. I have even tried, really tried. It thas experienced cold starting "difficulties" though, but always gets there.
I'll have a courteous word to my SM about this soon.
Cheers,
Hymee.
Last edited by Hymee; 09-09-2005 at 06:31 AM.
09-09-2005, 06:51 AM
#57
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Originally Posted by Gomez
Nice edit there Hymster.... 
Oh I mean .... hope it turn out well
Last edited by takahashi; 09-09-2005 at 06:54 AM.
09-09-2005, 09:35 AM
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The problem i have is that the Goldcoast dealership is not the dealership i purchased my car from so they feel that i did them wrong well if the salesmen wouldnt have been rude they would have got my preorder 
Also i dont see why i should have to be extra nice to the SM TO get my car what should have been done in the first place , its obvious that the starter motor battery and sparkplugs were not up to the job in the first place , SO MUCH FOR MAZDA EXTENSIVE testing
No i havent got my battery /starter fixed as yet but i did change my spark plugs at $50.00 each and not at the $ 80.00 rippof price of mazda , also i have got my mechanic to do my brake pads which i scored for free :D and oil change at 50% less what mazda has charged you guys .
Dont fool yourselfs intu thinking your upgrades are for free as Mazda will get their money back from you guys on your services . :D
Iam going back to the dealer i initially purchased my car from at Springwood and see wheter he is prepared to get the starter / battery for me :D if not i will try out one at Wakefield from some ones car and make arrangements to get my own .
It seems those of you that have reasonable service managers and are in colder climates and who constantly pay retail for everything you get done to your car whitout creating waves are being looked after , but my point is that you shouldnt need to ask or writte to them for the upgrade it should have been mandatory in the first place for them to fix it for ***** sake starting a car should not be a game of Russian roulette AND FLOODING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS WON Engine of the year award twice
B...free
michael
well if the salesmen wouldnt have been rude they would have got my preorder Also i dont see why i should have to be extra nice to the SM TO get my car what should have been done in the first place , its obvious that the starter motor battery and sparkplugs were not up to the job in the first place , SO MUCH FOR MAZDA EXTENSIVE testing
No i havent got my battery /starter fixed as yet but i did change my spark plugs at $50.00 each and not at the $ 80.00 rippof price of mazda , also i have got my mechanic to do my brake pads which i scored for free :D and oil change at 50% less what mazda has charged you guys .
Dont fool yourselfs intu thinking your upgrades are for free as Mazda will get their money back from you guys on your services . :D
Iam going back to the dealer i initially purchased my car from at Springwood and see wheter he is prepared to get the starter / battery for me :D if not i will try out one at Wakefield from some ones car and make arrangements to get my own .
It seems those of you that have reasonable service managers and are in colder climates and who constantly pay retail for everything you get done to your car whitout creating waves are being looked after , but my point is that you shouldnt need to ask or writte to them for the upgrade it should have been mandatory in the first place for them to fix it for ***** sake starting a car should not be a game of Russian roulette AND FLOODING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS WON Engine of the year award twice
B...free
michael
09-09-2005, 02:18 PM
#59
I don't believe for one second it is a game of russian roulette. How many times have you started your engine? How many times has it failed to start within 2 revolutions of the motor? How many times has it failed to start within 2 applications of the starter?
Take a dose of reality, I think that the fact that people are being offered the upgrade due to reports of "difficulties" is great customer service. I don't see it as an emergency / safety / danger situation where every vehicle is subject to an expensive recall campaign.
Cheers,
Hymee.
Take a dose of reality, I think that the fact that people are being offered the upgrade due to reports of "difficulties" is great customer service. I don't see it as an emergency / safety / danger situation where every vehicle is subject to an expensive recall campaign.
Cheers,
Hymee.
09-09-2005, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Hymee
BTW - for the record (again)... My car has never flooded. I have even tried, really tried. It thas experienced cold starting "difficulties" though, but always gets there.
.
Cheers,
Hymee.
Whats the point of fitting a supercharger / turbocharger that will put extra stress on the starter when your car still cannot properly handle the simple task of starting but has to be cranked whatever number of times to start with a stock engine .
Reality is not having to wait 2 years for a fix to solve one of the basic operational feautures of a car that of being able to start properly .
B...free
michael
09-09-2005, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Hymee
I don't believe for one second it is a game of russian roulette. How many times have you started your engine? How many times has it failed to start within 2 revolutions of the motor? How many times has it failed to start within 2 applications of the starter?
Take a dose of reality, I think that the fact that people are being offered the upgrade due to reports of "difficulties" is great customer service. I don't see it as an emergency / safety / danger situation where every vehicle is subject to an expensive recall campaign.
Cheers,
Hymee.
Take a dose of reality, I think that the fact that people are being offered the upgrade due to reports of "difficulties" is great customer service. I don't see it as an emergency / safety / danger situation where every vehicle is subject to an expensive recall campaign.
Cheers,
Hymee.
If your wife / son was out at late at night and could not start or had difficulties starting or god forbid flooded the car , you would be talking differently .
Great customer service to me is not allowing any customer let alone ones that have had an inadequate starter / battery for the last 2 years or so have to endure this problem .
A far better/ powerfull Battery and starter should have been available for this car from new , considering mazdas previous knowledge of the flooding problems of past rotaries .
B..free
michael
09-09-2005, 05:02 PM
#62
You can think as much as you like.
Starting difficulties... I never said it flooded. If I had left it for a couple of days without putting any charg in the battery, and tried starting it on a cold morning, it would crank slower, and turn over a few more times than usual. But it always starts, and has never let me down. If Mazda ask me if I have starting difficulties, I can truthfully answer yes. And then they may offer me the upgrade.
But it doesn't have a flooding problem at all.
I find that sort of comment rather offensive.
Regards,
Hymee.
Starting difficulties... I never said it flooded. If I had left it for a couple of days without putting any charg in the battery, and tried starting it on a cold morning, it would crank slower, and turn over a few more times than usual. But it always starts, and has never let me down. If Mazda ask me if I have starting difficulties, I can truthfully answer yes. And then they may offer me the upgrade.
But it doesn't have a flooding problem at all.
Originally Posted by Lock and Load
For someone who has / is developing some of the aftermarket gear for the RX8 one would have thought you would have sorted out your cold starting difficulties by now being over 2 years of ownership ...
Regards,
Hymee.
09-09-2005, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Hymee
Take a dose of reality, I think that the fact that people are being offered the upgrade due to reports of "difficulties" is great customer service. I don't see it as an emergency / safety / danger situation where every vehicle is subject to an expensive recall campaign.
Cheers,
Hymee.
Well i also find some of your comments rather offensive .
My comments are meant to be Truthfull and not offensive if you choose to take it that way THATS your problem .
B..free
michael
Last edited by Lock & Load; 09-09-2005 at 05:44 PM.
09-09-2005, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by takahashi
Get a room guys... :D
What if the Mazda Australia is actively replacing all starter motors, batteries and spark plugs?
What if the Mazda Australia is actively replacing all starter motors, batteries and spark plugs?
B...free
michael
09-09-2005, 06:11 PM
#66
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Originally Posted by Lock & Load
If it was true that would be the ideal solution to this problem which can only get worse as the Battery ages AND LOOSES MORE POWER with time :D
B...free
michael
B...free
michael
09-09-2005, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by The Viking
Maybe this is old news to you guys but I mentioned at my last service that I had had a couple of "difficult" starts during cold weather (the engine has never flooded and it has always started within around 3 seconds). The Service Manager offered to upgrade the starter motor, plugs and battery with no further questions asked and I have to say this makes a massive difference. Starting is now instantaneous. If you haven't already done this I would highly recommended getting it done.
09-12-2005, 07:38 PM
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Hymee and Lock and Load carry on like an old married couple , Eh? :D
You guys should take life a bit easy ....It really is tooooo short!! :p
My 2cents
Stay beautiful
Dave
You guys should take life a bit easy ....It really is tooooo short!! :p
My 2cents
Stay beautiful
Dave
09-12-2005, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by MissRx8
Just dropped my car off at mazda. They told me that every rx8 is having upgraded starter and sparks put in....
09-13-2005, 01:56 PM
#72
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I just went and bought the MTP-35 battery on my own and installed it, seems to make the starter sound like it isn't struggling anymore for juice. I bought the battery myself because I just wanted it as a safety feature that I will not have to worry in the future. The battery cost me $75USD, and I installed it all the way to the back of the box, as to block as little as possible of the opening at the bottom that vent cool air in.
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