My power steering went dead on me after i took my car out of storage. Brought it into Mazda yesterday because I want it fixed so that I can go to the Mosport track with you guys this weekend.

They spent 3 hours of diagnostic time ($109 per hour), to tell me that my car's computer is not functioning properly and needs to be repalced!!! They have no idea what a new computer will cost but will investigate in the morning.

Does this sound right? They claim that they have never seen this happen with an RX8 before. Everything else on the car works perfect, it's just the steering. I keep thinking that I need another opinion but not sure where else to turn? Any advice or thoughts?

Hope this can be fixed tomorrow or Saturday so I am ready for Mosport on Sunday

 

You can still track it w/o power steering.

 

Are they talking about the Power Steering Control Module or the ECM? Either way, get a used one from The Parts Group or Mazmart and have the dealer program it. This will save you over $1K. A lot of people on the forum have had their PSCM misdiagnosed. Their real culprit was corroded connections under the battery tray. If you do a search, you will find many DIY's on verifying your connections. If the dealer is set on replacing a module, I would make sure they swap yours out with one they have to verify that yours is faulty before you're stuck footing the bill.

 

http://tinyurl.com/3t5rlpc

 

I would certainly follow the advice above. Sadly a lot of garages plug a computer in to diagnose rather than use old school skills to physically check anything now.

Local Mazda dealer had my Dad's 626 in for a couple of days and couldn't get to the root of the occasional stalling issue. We fixed it using a hose of all things - waved it around in the engine bay listening for vacuum leaks and eventually traced it to a leaking intake gasket.

 

Thanks for the useful feedback, apopreciate it...

 

I am assuming that if it's something other than the computer causing the problem, swithing that element out for new/ different one will not fix the problem. I will make sure they know that I am not paying for the computer or the labour to switch it out if it doesn't work AND will argue that I shouldn't have to pay for all of the diagnostic time either, just some of it, because it failed to identify the real problem.

Will check out used sources as well for price comparison

BTW, I believe they are talking about ECM but will confirm

 

Run away, far away. Mazdamaniac has a thread about this issue. Mine ended up being just the $80.00 harness. Mine looked okay but obviously wasn't. That was a year ago.

 

My link goes to a link where Zoom gives MM's thread to someone. Most helpful thing so far but I don't get a thanks.

 

Hey Scott, Mazda had a huge problem with the electric power steering on M3 and M5, so its not like they haven't heard of such a thing. As far as a used computer, at my dealership I will not install a used part brought in by a customer because of all the potential issues with doing that. If the part doesnt solve the problem etc etc.

 

Yeah dealerships are good at just replacing parts until the problem is fixed rather than actually trying to diagnose the problem.

There have been many stories of people having the whole rack replaced to only have the problem return because the $80.00 harness was the issue.

 

Back in the day when the 04's came out, it was the rack that was the problem. I had mine in for that problem under warranty. They thought it was the wiring harness to the unit, but I had told them it was the rack. In the end it was the rack. Replaced w/a new one and haven't had a problem since. Good luck

 

Early on mine was having problems. Still under warranty so I took it in

They replaced the control module first....didn't work...quit in 2days.

Then they replaced the rack....worked long enough to drive it home.

Both times the tech was sure he had found the problem. I told them both times it was likely the harness ....
Took me 20 min to fix it...and it has worked for 5 years...go figure what do I know

 

Scott, by any chance did you or dealership check the fuse in the engine bay #34.



http://circuitwiringdiagram.com/2010...block-diagram/

 

That fuse is marked EPS and it is RIGHT BESIDE the positive terminal. I love diagnosing electrical issues!

 

If you have time, it would be wise to pull the connector between the PCM and the EPS system, and diagnose every pin on the connector.

 

and you got a brand new rack and control module out of it, cool. I wish they had replaced my rack, it's getting up there in age.

 

Do you mean just like in the pictures I posted! Dah!

 

^timing my friend..... timing... of posts.

 

Thanks for all of the comments, appreciate it. I sent the dealership all of the findings from the archive here, including MM thread on the subject. They are rechecking everything based upon that feedback from the community.

At the moment, car is apart and may not get it back before Sunday. If not, may still go with GTI just to see you guys but would be a drag to not have my 8 there with me...

 

Scott I will be in a Scion TC.....................................

 

I have an extra ECU, but its from a US spec. rx8

 

I cleaned the power steering connectors under the airbox tray a couple of times. I finally cut the connector out and soldered the wires together.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/power-steering-failure-107481/page11/

 

Did the dealership ever find out what was causing your power steering issue?

 

There's disturbance in the force .....