I just got my car back from the recalls, oil change, etc... and I complained that it would take a long time to turn over when I started occasionally, and the list said that my PCM had been updated..

Appreciate any info.

 

It was probably reflashed

 

Tap breaks 20 times within 8 secs to see if you got the new 'L'.

 

What does that do?

 

Turn key to 2nd position, tap brakes 20 times in 8 seconds, see if oil pressure gauge swings up them back - if so you have the L or later flash.

The L flash give a bit more power and smooths out the engine plus elimiates the flooding issue on earlier produced cars.

 

Herc...

the 20 tap test clears a part of the PCM memory called NV RAM.

This part of the PROM stores sensor data.

Heres where it all began...

Some engines that where being replaced for unrelated manufacturing defects were not running properly or at all after instalation. The reason for this was some of the sensor data held in the PCM (NV RAM to be specific) was accurate for the old engine ....not the new one. The mismatching data belonged to the eccentric shaft position sensor.

So basically the new engine's E shaft was in a certain position, and the computer believed it to be another (the old engines E shaft position).

The PCM needed to be cleared the old info...and relearn the new. A TSB with the specifics on how to do this was issued.

My belief is alot of people still think that the brake pedal test is to check if you have the "L" version. This is incorrect. The TSB states that if your PCM is pre "L" it won't give you the needle sweep acknowlegement, however it still clears NV RAM.

So we use the NV RAM clearing method as a tool just to see if we have the "L" or later.

The brake pedal test clears NV RAM regardless of PCM firmware version, just the needle sweep was added in the "L" version or later.

Does this make any sense.......

 

So is the needle supposed to move if you have the L. Because i have tried it numerous times and my pin doesn't move, do i have the L or not. i bought mine in feb. '04

 

I hate this. They did not reflash mine because I needed to do at least 5K miles before they would do anything with regards to the reflash ... or so they said.

 

That is BS! I just had mine done yesterday and I have 3200 miles. I got the hotter plugs too. Tell your dealer your car takes a long crank to start sometimes and the idle is rough.



Navybeardbb, you do not have the L flash.

 

Yep that is B.S. I have 3500 on mine and got he L flash a couple weeks ago.

 

Xyntax, which dealer is this? I'm currently approaching mine in Los Gatos about the reflash...

 

Got mine done too at about 2K. I just asked for the reflash.

 

I thought my dealer was cool. I told them my car had problems starting and on my tune up reciept all it said was like : Checked starting complaint..everything okay. I was like great thanks guys i want the L. i'll just wait for the M, you think they will be as lame about it?

 

I got my car reflashed last week. However, I think it is only to "J." Are service departments able to select which flash they give the car?

-JiM

 

If the dealers service dept is up to date the WDS will be @ 30.6 (p4) as of last week.

They can only do the lastest flash they have in the machine and they cannot go backwards.

If your dealer is still on the "J" updtae they are at least 2 months behind.

 

PCM update means it was flashed , says my dealer.

 

They are checking and doing the flashes at regular service intervals unless the customer specifically reports a problem covered by the reflash.

 

Thanks... I haven't really noticed any difference in power delivery or mileage (yet)... But I did notice now the car won't let me rev past 6k when the car is cold.

 

well, you shouldn't be doing that anyway!

 

I know... sometimes I have a lead foot

 

Got my 8 april 2, went back to my dealer on april7 for air bag harness mod. and just ask the mechanic to check for the flash version and he download the L version even if i had only 300km on the car .I love my car!!!!!!

 

You probably do not have the L. What is important is when the car was built, not bought. I bought mine in Feb as well (with a Dec. build date) but it did not come with the L. I just got mine reflashed with M (I think) after telling the service rep that I was only getting 18 MPG mixed. I ran the tested and it showed. ANd the car seemed to run smoother and peppier. I haven't checked the MPG.

 

I finally got an appointment next week for the reflash. I called my dealer and said "I have an RX-8 that i recently bought and i have been having problems starting it. Sometimes i turn the key and it takes about 5 seconds to finally start" then i hit them with the bomb lol "Yea i emailed Mazda and they said there was something called a reflash that could be done to fix it" and the guy was just like oh...ok yea how about thursday. They didn't even hassle me at all, i think the fake email plan works.

 

Forunately my dealer did not need this type of dog-and pony show. I just complained about the lower than expected MPG (duh!). The rep wrote "loss of power" on the order to further justify a reflash.

 

Fortunately my dealer did not need this type of dog-and pony show. I just complained about the lower than expected MPG (duh!). The rep wrote "loss of power" on the order to further justify a reflash.