I've searched and the question has been asked before but I couldn't find the answer.

Background:
I was pushing the car hard in 1st & 2nd yesterday to blow out some carbon (not to mention that it is fun) and got a flashing CEL that was probably a misfire. I was able to repeat it a second time. I'm not sure I exceeded the redline but I was at the buzzer when I let off the gas and the engine still spins up slightly. If the CEL turns into a problem I'd rather not get the old voided warranty treatment.

1. Is there a redline counter and how does the dealer access it?
2. Can it be cleared by clearing the NVRAM or KAM (or any other way).
3. Should I be worried abotu the CEL? I have a 2004 that has had the pluts upgraded only a few 1000 miles ago.

Thanks

 

Do you know for sure if it was a misfire?

An OBDII CAN scan tool (or the adapter/software to scan with a laptop/PDA/PC should let you access all that stuff.) and yes, most newer ECU (OBDI and newer record RPM and other parameters, some even vehicle speed, when a CEL pops up, or when the airbags deploy.

I'm not sure if clearing the memory (disconecting the battery and pressing the brake to drain all current from the ECU) will clear it, but am pretty sure the OBD scanner can clear it.

Keep in mind the ECU keeps a record of when it was last cleared, and the dealerships do know how to check for that (Big Brother is alive and well)

 

No, I’m not sure it was a misfire. That is just what most people seems to attribute a flashing CEL to at high RPMs,

I guess I don’t care if they see that I cleared the ECU I certainly didn’t sign any users agreement saying I wouldn’t.

Do any of the OBD scan tools allow a user to see the redline data or is that only available on the Mazda WDS system? I don’t want to run out and buy one if it doesn’t allow me to clear it.

 

i've given my dealer lots of hell and they have never bothered me about redlining or top speed. I probably hit the redline several times a week and I'm usually over 100 almost every day on my 50 mile commute to work.

 

Good to hear but I figure if it is easy enough to clear that I'd rather be safe than sorry.

BTW, are you on side streets when you top 100? I would never go that fast.

 

mx6, canscan can also clear the cel.

also look into scangauge2 if you want an all in one, it has it's own lcd screen and can operate without a computer. canscan runs about 130, scanguage runs about 170.

 

The CEL cleared itself so I'm not worried about clearing that.

I was hoping that someone could confirm that either the brake pedal pump procedure or the hold the odometer reset while turning the key on procedure would clear the history.

 

I'd like to know as well, had a similar situation. I ended up pulling the - terminal to get rid of the CEL and it never came back so far *crosses fingers*

 

It is only a detected Misfire that can cause a flashing CEL (See Attachments Below)

Ive got a September 2005 RX8 231 Manual with a engine light that flashes on occasions only going down hill in 6th Gear around 70-90 MPH little or no throttle (Coasting). Ive been back to the dealer a few times and it doesn’t store any codes until a few weeks back when the engine light stayed. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and did a PCM flash as the code was intermittent mis-fire (P0300).
Well I was hoping that had cured the fault but today going down the coast on the motorway the light flashed on 4 different occasions, All going down hill and the light flashed between 5 seconds - 1 minute in time.

Has anyone else had this same problem or anybody got some ideas what it could be?

Please see Video of light in action......
http://www.modularsolutions.net/videos/CEL.wmv

Here is a link to another post I started on a different fourm...
http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/foru...ic.php?p=163067

As I speak the dealer has just phoned me and they have spoken to Mazda UK who have only heard of this fault with a RX8 going 'Up hill' rather than down hill.

I hope someone can help

Regards

Philip

 

no clearing the memories wil not clear the data the tech looks at. you are talkign about the freeze frame data. you need a scanner device that can clear that if you are worried about it. but you are also going to clear away valuable data that the tech uses to help diagnose the issue

 

How many frames are frozen and what event freezes them? Do they ever overwrite themselves?

I have been giving it my best shot to re-create the flashing CEL and haevn't since the first day but I'm having fun trying.

 

A solid CEL activates the freeze frame - no info is stored when you have a flashing CEL.

The freeze frame records data for that one 'instant' of time.

 

you had a missfire... how much gas did you have in the tank????

if it was less than .25 and you did a couple of runs to redline that will do it..

beers

 

I never let the tank drop below 1/4 (0.25) and it happens even with a full tank of 95 or 99 RON fuel. I never get a flashing light when driving the car hard (to the red line) only when coasting at speeds over 75 MPH

 

I can't remember because it has been a few weeks but I don't usually run it below 0.25. What does the amount of gas in the tank have to do with a misfire? It's not a gravity feed system that needs a certain amount of head to pressurize it. Does it actually suck gas down so fast that it pulls an air bubble?

 

it has happen to me a couple of times on high speed runs.. as you accelerate the fuel is moved away from the pick up...

that is my guess... i just know it happened twice one evening then i filled it up. two more runs ~15 min later no problem.

beers