I've got a 2004 M6 RX-8. Previously, I've brought it in for various problems... they never did the TSB.

The other day, I finally brought it in again, complained about rough idles, slow starts, cranking, etc.

They updated the PCM and did the TSB. All I can say now... WOW!

It used to crank a few times... or many times... then start up. Now, it's LIKE A JET. *crank* VROOM.

So, if you havent gotten the starter update... GET IT. You'll love your car, and you wont ever dread starting it up.

On a side note... HUGE difference in its driving performance. I think the best way I can explain it is... more smoothe and linear. I dont feel any hiccups as I accelerate anymore.

 

is all this covered under the warranty?? do i just go up to my mazda dealership and tell them to update my PCM, and what do you mean by did the TSB, sorry but i just recently got a used 2004 rx8 in july so i just want everything to be taken care of.

 

Russell,
Go to FinishlinePerformance.com. Look up TSB's for RX-8's (Technical Service Bulletin). Print out the one dated 12/2005 about slow crank and no start. Take it to the dealer with your car. Tell them you have experienced slow cranks and sometimes long cranks where it almost didn't want to start. They can check to see if it has been done before. Based on the dealer and the age of your car, they may try to charge you for the battery. Mine they did not.

Mike

 

Oh yea, It's all covered under warrenty unless they pro-rate the battery
Mike

 

All warranty All $1100 worth of work.

 

i've only managed to get new plugs & pcm flash after several attempts w/ my dealer...

 

my dealer only gave me the starter and said the plugs were fine.

 

every time Mazda gets hosed for a fake warranty claim, God kills a kitten....

please think of the kittens!!!

 

If you're 8 is a 04 model, unless they changed your plugs before. theres no way they only give you starter and not the plug(leading only)

 

Whats considered a "Long Start" and I'm being serious? All my previous cars before the 8 where well PoS so them starting up took a few cranks needless to say. At times my 8 starts up right away other times I'd say 2-5 seconds before the sucker starts up.

 

But I'm allergic to kittens this claim means good news for me! WooT!

 

Just a couple of real basic points:

A recall is a modification that the dealer is required to provide to all owners (probably irrespective of whether they are covered by warranty or not.) Mazda notifies the owners by letter, the owner doesn't need to justify the service, it is mandatory. The current vacuum-testing/new flash recall falls under this.

A Technical Service Bulletin (such as the new starter/battery for flooding or hard starts) only needs to be done if the owner complains about a particular problem and the dealer agrees it meets the specifications of the TSB. The owner needs to go in and ask for this.

 

A TSB does not necessarily mean a free repair for the owner. Sometimes a TSB covers an improved service procedure - like the one on how to remove the console top by releasing the catches, rather than just grabbing and yanking.

Sometimes, like the one on the AC condenser screen, it describes an update that the owner is expected to pay for.

Ken

 

I COMPLETELY agree with you. They did the recall on my car today (fixed a broken air condenser, so I just had them do it while it was at the shop) and the car seems to ride SO much better. No time wasted cranking the car up, and it actually feels faster (the pedal is tighter than usual) and it idles at a lower rpm than previously.

Hard to believe a computer can regulate as much as it does in your car.

 

I had the TSB after my battery died last winter. They replaced battery, starter and plugs. Big difference in startup and it sounds different when it cranks.

 

I am wondering if my Mazda dealer just did this on my car. I had taken it in to fix the battery drain, have A/C TSB done and they said they did a couple of engine TSBs. As soon as I went to start the car, it cranked up immediately. The car also feels like it has better acceleration. I was in a hurry when I picked up my car. I need to look on the paperwork and see exactly what was done.

Dean

 

You will absolutely know if they did this to your car.

The old starter, plugs, etc... crank crank crank crank sluggish idle.

New stuff... crank zippp zoom. All the time.

 

I feel better as I wanted imagining things.

I am looking at the paper work and it shows 4206f Emisions recall and N3Z4-18-110 Spark Plug Replacment. I had the starter replaced last week.

Dean

 

Ok so did this latest firmware add any usable HP to the car?

Dean

 

I'm going to dyno in the next week or two, to compare it to my pre-firmware update dyno.

 

May have also had something to do with the recall.
We, here in NE FL, have not been notified of the recall yet, but my dealer was getting a jump on it & did mine when I took it in for oil change & the rear blinker condensation.
Could have been one or the other (TSB or recall) or perhaps a little bit of both. In the recall, they have tests & a specific troubleshooting process they follow which tells them what needs to be done.

 

That was probably the recall.
Call them & ask them if it had anything to do with the recent recall, I betcha' it did.

 

I never had probs with my 8 starting and I drive a lot.