Today my Mazda dealer performed the airbag recall on my car, and additionally, I requested the latest PCM update. They accepted the request with no problem, but when I checked my service receipt, instead of the N3H6-18881-L or N3H6-18881-M code (that everybody is talking about), my receipt shows:

"Tech performed software update N3H6-18881-C"

WTF??? Is this a typo? I seriously hope they did not flash some ancient PCM code into the ECU... I only noticed this after I got home, so I'll have to call them on Monday I guess.

Anybody has an idea what this "C" version might be?

I did the "tapping of the brake pedal" test, and the oil gauge DOES sweep like it should.

Was this "sweep" only introduced with the "L" or higher code or was it already present before?

I'm REALLY confused...

 

Did you try the brake pedal test? with the key on, tap the brakes at least 20 times in 8 seconds, watch the oil pressure gauge, it will sweep up, then down if you have at least the "L" flash. The main difference in the L & M is the amount of fuel delivery time at start up. This is to help reduce the chances for flooding.

 

Sorry, I edited my post while you wrote yours... yes, I did the brake pedal test.

 

This tells you that it is at least the L flash. You may have to wait a while until your dealer gets the latest since it is still less than 2 weeks old.

 

I have a quick question regarding the L Flash. My veh was manufactered on 1/04. I did the break tap and it did not register. Do the veh's made then come with the L flash of does it still need it? Thanks

 

Probably not since the L flash was not available until around March, (is that correct?) But it was sometime after January, however a good question would be if the car is made say in Jan, comes into port after a new release, would it get the newest flash? Or do all the cars actually get the US flash when they come inot port, not at the factory?

 

OK so moved... I amend my question. I really have not noticed any performance issues yet though. No flooding and engine seems to run smooth. I even have the auto tranny (wifes fault). I just broke 600 miles and with this next tank, will check my milage. I figured I'd let it break in a bit before getting assy about the milage issue.

 

Ahh.. the new "C" flash! I want it!

I'm speculating that somewhere along the way someone mistook a hand-written "L" for a "C".

 

I discovered this tidbit of info when I got my oil cooler hoses replaced. I was told that the issue I had was a known problem, and that the Mazda engineers were redesigning the part.

When I got it, I was told that the trailing "C" denotes a 3rd generation - or third major redesign - of the part. Generation A would be the first, B the second, and C the third.

So my guess would be that this is the third "major" revision to the ECU programming.

 

The TSB that recommends the "L" flash to hard starting vehicles also TELLS the dealers to flash ALL cars on the lot - no options. So any cars delivered after March should have it.

If you got the meter sweep, you have one of the latest flashs ("L" or "M").

 

I see where they modified the bulletin on 04/07/04 and referenced the "M" update..

I don't see where they want the dealer to update the dealer inventory.

 

Got an answer from the dealer... apparently, the part number with the "C" is just something they report to Mazda for warranty purposes and is not the actual calibration. I told him that the way it looks, everybody else has the "L" or "M" on their work order, so this seems to be strange, but anyway...

Also, they said that my car received the "M" update because that's the latest and they download the current code from Mazda every week, so they are unable to flash anything else than the latest revision. That sounds good enough to me.

So, there is certainly no "C" flash :D

 

Is it possible that someone wrote down L by hand, and a different person was typing it out and couldn't read the letter?

 

This was already suggested by Nubo (see above).
It is possible, however the service writer said that I received the latest calibration and since the M was released sometime mid-March, that's the one I have then.