Took my RX-8 in for a/c going cool-semi-cold-cool semi-cold-etc... Was told by the Service manager Mazda is looking at what to do w/a/c problems but can do nothing for me right now. This sucks!!!30k for shitty a/c & "spark" knock @6k rpm. Had the flash done &still have hard starts. Not to mention the gas mileage. Mazdas' response to my letter below.


Dear Ron,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

In regard to your inquiry, there was a mid-year production change, and
your vehicle does have the updated A/C amplifier. However, if you feel
there is a concern, the dealership can certainly get our technical
hotline involved for assistance. If you would, please let me know what
dealership you've been working with, and I'll be more than happy to
contact the Service Manager for more information.

Please take a moment to give us your opinion about our e-mail service.
Click or paste the link below to complete a brief, online survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2F69CVSJH

Regards,

Lisa Lasky
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business





Original Message Follows:
------------------------


Form Message

Email Address: ronrowell@hotmail.com
First Name: Ron
Last Name: Rowell
Title: Mr.
Message Address:
Message City: Altamonte Springs
Message State: FL
Message Zip:
Subject1: Ownership & Maintenance
Subject2: Warranty Coverage
Current Mazda Owner: true
Model: RX-8
Year: 2004
VIN: JM1FE173040123336
Message Body: Have been to the dealer for my a/c. Was told my car
already has the a/c amplifier upgrade due to build date. They say
nothing can be done now. Have owned many new cars including Mazda and
never had a/c problems that could not be fixed. The a/c is inadequate in
some way for cooling this car. I will not tolerate a FL summer w/this
a/c! Dealer says he realizes the problem. Says Mazda is taking a "hard
look" at the issues involved w/a/c. Have talked to other RX-8 owners
w/same issues. I want something done quickly. Driving my RX-8 is fun;
sweating in it is not. --- (1) I want the problem fixed. (2) Would
consider some type of possible rebate discussion. (3) Would consider
using the Lemon Law as last option. Please respond with a solution (and
quickly; as the FL heat shortens my tolerance). Thank You

 

sounds like they truly care yo!

 

I know I could look it up, but what's your build date? When did Mazda start using the improved amplifiers?

 

Have not checked the build date myself but was told it was 10/03.

 

I assume mazda must being doing something about this because I don't see how they can sell expensive cars in the summer with a substandard A/C.

Mine is not as bad after I tinted the windows. Also this is not just a Rotary problem (both my RX-7's had better A/C's)

 

Dear Ron,

Thank you for supplying the information I requested.

I have spoken with Paul, the Assistant Service Manager at Cory
Fairbanks Mazda regarding your inquiry. Paul advised your vehicle is
currently at the dealership, and they are working with our technical
hotline with the A/C concern.

 

ron,
dont know if it helps. but i have not had any problems with my a/c. i have had good luck at cory fairbanks.

they have been very good to me.

beers
john stewart

 

Corey has always done me right; (example--painting my rotors & calipers silver under warranty) but this a/c is hard to deal with. Mazda & Corey seem to want to do what ever it takes. Should have issue resolved by the end of the week. Will post any fixes.

 

Strange how it changes from dealer to dealer.

I just dropped my car off this afternoon for all of the TSB's and recalls applicable to my VIN. They made no effort to dodge or deny any of them and they will have my car ready in the morning. The only one they couldn't do today was the A/C amplifier, and he got on the phone with his distributor to have the appt. made and the part ordered while I was standing there.

Sucks you are having problems with it. You would think they would all be at least in the same relative range of knowledge on notifications from the manufacturer.

 

My 8 is in to have the AC done, and it should be done today. They ordered parts for the amplifier and to replace an evaporator behind the dash. I'm not real big on them pulling the dash, their is a lot of things that they can do wrong. Anyway they talked like they didn't expect the amplifier to get the job done.

The bigges problem was parts, they were ordered on thursday of last week. I dropped of my car Monday morning for them to start that day. Monday afternoon I was called and told the parts were not in. Yesterday they called and said the parts came in late afternoon and they expected to be done today. No word yet today though.

I plan to go over every inch of the dash when I get it back. Any suggestions of things to look for?

 

To bad your dash will be taken out; but I worked for Firestone for awile and most of the later model cars go back together rattle free & are designed to a certain level to come apart for some maintenance. Good Luck. ----- Rebate answer-As w/horsepower issue I would take $500 plus free maintenance till warranty is up knowing I would still get a/c upgrades and help as needed when available. Probably not going to happen though. Per my #1 choice I just want cold a/c. Got my car back today and .... a/c was recharged and they adjusted the thermostat per Mazdas' Techs. A/C seems to already be much better than before. Will see how it goes over next few days. Brake squeel just annoys me but am told nothing they can do for me right now (no biggie). 6000rpm bump could not be repeated of course; they checked plugs and coils. Happy to be out of the rental turd and back w/my RX-8. By the way -- car has 5678 miles on it.

 

RonRotor,

I have had same issue of cold-cool-cold-tepid-cold. I just had AC Amp replaced and other than starting AC on recirc. not much change-maybe slight improvement. On retrospect I had Ford Escape two years ago that had similar AC issues-this was developed principally by Mazda who marketed their version as Tribute. This is probably problem that Mazda has had for some time?

Just my .02.

Doc