srm858

I was at the dealer yesterday (11/3) for the 15k service. When I went to pick it up, they said they would like to keep it another hour to upgrade the software. I said they already did it this spring (with the M flash). He said this was a new version and they were just loading the CD. Since they had to order a new radio, my current one likes to switch stations on it's own, I'm going to come back to have it installed and upgrade the software then. This will be in one to two weeks. I'll report back any differences in performance.

I have the "free" service for 50,000 miles and when I went to pick up the car, they gave me a bill for $207. Oil change, tire rotation, air filter replacement. They said Mazda recommends they change the air filter early in New England, but do not pay for it. I finally got the price down to $60 for just replacing the air filter, which is ridiculous. I will have them do the 37k tuneup, but I will be doing the rest of the maintenance myself. I'll go broke with the "free" maintenance.

zoom44

well that's almost correct. yes the first iswhat we call M but the second is not the "old L". we aren't taking a step back. the files have been renamed from N3H to N3Z. so this "L" is the first flash level that we have on the new Z files. i think it migh be like going from version 1.xx to version 2.xx. but no one is 100% sure yet and it may take a few days to figure it all out. what we do know from the update is that it appears Mazda considers the H"M" flash and this Z"L" flash to be the same level. otehr wise the MSP04 would say " flash everyone on the Z"L" file". of course there is also the chance that Mazda is going to explain this to techs in tech sessions or classes rather than just thru the TSB so that they can keep some things from our prying eyes

Haze

Epitrochoid, I don't think that you have the M flash, and I think that this goes to the heart of this service bulletin from Mazda. I think that it has less to do with something new and much more to do with a knowledge deficit from certain dealers who are 1) installing the flash incorrectly 2)failing to install stickers 3)incorrectly assuming that if there is any campaign sticker on the hood that it is for the M flash.

During a summer meet of our local RX 8 club, I checked a couple of cars for the sticker and the tap test on the brake pedal and neither had the flash. One owner had been told that he had been flashed. The other had bought his car in March of 2004 so it should have been done under the original service bulletin. However, his build date was August of '03 (same as mine. Vins were maybe 100 apart), and I noticed that not only had the M flash not been done, but his tranny damper had not been replaced, yet the airbag wiring had been done.

Looking at this experience, I think that Mazda is having some trouble getting certain dealers to do the things that they need to do. Just an opinion - H

zoom44

exactly what haze said^^ now get ready to post that another 20 times Haze there will be more threads started about this than i can keep up with on my own

zoom44

merging several other related threads into this one.

rx8cited

Thanks for keeping me straight . I missed the dates:

FILE NAME > SW-N3H6EM000.HEX
RELEASE DATE > 08/03/2004

FILE NAME > SW-N3Z2EL000.HEX
RELEASE DATE > 15/10/2004

The new "L" file is over 7 months newer than the "M" file.

Does anyone have the file name/release date/checksum/etc info for the original "L" files?

It would be nice to know what the difference, if any, is between the new "L" file and the old "L" file.

And how does current "M" file compare to the two versions of "L" files. Damn, this is getting confusing .

rx8cited

Tony Orlando

If anyone wants to get flashed, stop by and I'll give you a "P" flash.

When will it end?....

my10ae

Can someone reflash, er I mean refresh my memory on what to do to check and see if you have the latest flash and level?

Tony Orlando

Just turn the key on to the ACC position, then tap the brake pedal really fast with your toe. After about 10 seconds, your oil needle should do a sweep. This will only happen if you are at the M level, and if you've had the car in for anything in the last 6 months, you should have it.

-And just to clear up a common misconception: Pressing the brake pedal 20 times in under 10 seconds is the procedure to reset the Eccentric shaft position sensor, not a test to see if you have the M flash. It just so happens that part of the M flash was to include a way for techs to visually verify that the reset of the sensor was successful, and therefore provides us with an easy way to see if we have M.

It's highly doubtful that future flashes will improve the car's performance, so if you've got M, I'd ignore all this nonsense. If they manage to re-invent the wheel on this ECU, they'll do it when you go in for an oil change. The days of having to pester dealers for a flash are over.

DenverRX8

Took my RX8 in to the dealer the other day to get the brake pads replaced due to excessive noise. I also wanted them to look into getting the M flash done. They had no idea what I was talking about, so I showed them the TSB just released on Nov. 1st.

I called back today to check on getting that done and they told me they didn't think that they could do it and said the company shouldn't be listing the TSB's. What do you think I should do?

Sorry for the repost, I just really would like to take care of it.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

go to another dealer immediately. they have no idea what they are doing.

DaveT

^^^Ditto

expo1

If you can you should find another dealership. You can find TSB's on www.nhtsa.gov so tell them to go complain to the government also. The M-flash TSB as been around for a while now, you should be pissed about what they told you and explain that to Mazda USA. If they didn’t have the ability to do the flash they would not be able to sell the RX-8 to begin with. I also had a problem getting the M-flash with a service writer giving me a bunch of BS an email to MazdaUSA fixed it in less than 48 hours.

DenverRX8

Thanks for all the help. I just got off the phone with service rep there and finally got them to install the M flash. It took awhile, and there was a bit of a runaround, but finally they said they would get it done.

It could have been that I talked to an incompetent employee the first time. Regardless, your help was instrumental in getting it done. Thanks!

subduedracer

I spoke with my service guy. He told me the new flash has to do with making the trans comunicate with motor better. Is this fact or fiction?

mysql101

I had M flash. My oil guage would sweep with the brake test. They told me today they wanted to upgrade my ECU (I didn't even ask) because I had an outdated version. I haven't noticed any change in the way the car performs.

zoom44

IM GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB HERE AND SAY THIS --- this MIGHT BE TRUE. from a certain point of view. there is an as yet unconfirmed idea that this Z(L) flash may take care of the problem some people encountered of large hesitations/loss of power after high rpm/high load shifts.

Tony Orlando

I'd describe that as a change in fuel programming during sudden throttle applications. I don't believe there is any "communication" between the transmission and the motor, other than telling the ECU what gear you're in.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

I'm scheduled for service on Tuesday - so I will quiz my service tech on what he has been told to say if he decides to flash my M car....

truemagellen

out of the DIY section please

zoom44

thats why i said- might be true from a certain point of view. meaning the tech may have said it incorrectly but was talking about this particular issue.

Tony Orlando

Right. I was correcting the tech, not you.

Reaper Man

as always, a great read guys- I'm impressed with your patience when dealing with people.

and yes, I read all 5 pages

thew

this is how it happend for me. I had to take my 8 in 2 times for the "M" flash.

the first time they lied and said they did it.
the 2nd time i did the Break pump infront of my service writer before i drove off the lot !
However. my car went from K to m so i could tell just by using the break test.
Dont trust the service writer ever !!! Always check your car for dents and scratches before you drive off the lot. And make sure to get the old parts they replaced to.
I am sorrry to say that most shops need to be watched.

speeddemon32

"1. I never knew about the half-off/half-on traction control thing. So I obviously held the DCS button for 7 seconds until the slippery came on."


sorry this is off topic, but *breexy_RX-8* sated the above.

what does this mean.

_____


I am thinking of buying an RX-8. i am a BIG RX-7 guy. but i am thinking of getting the 8.

i have a few questions and concerns first. i can't seem to find an appropriate place to post my questions, so this is the spot that wins. :D

Question # 1
if i go buy a new RX-8, will it already come with the "M" flash. this is not a big deal to me as i could always just drive it over to the service dept. if not. :D

Question #2
are there any "problems" i should know about, i am hearing about tranny problems, is this true? any others?

Question #3
i am sure this is the wrong place to ask but is there any CARB legal turbo kits coming out. i know there is a greddy kit, but is it carb legal. (reason for asking, see below)

question #4
why can't i find YELLOW on mazdas web site, did that only last one year?

Question #5
what does "sport package" mean? i went to the dealer to test drive them, and look at them, the one i test drove was marked as a sport package. i have tried to look on this web site for an explanation to the differant models, but have not found anything.

Question #6 is accually what is stated above about the DCS, what is it, and what is this about turning it off? (and how?)

______

like i said, i am a HUGE RX-7 guy, i have owned 7 RX-7's (second gens) and i am now thinking of moving to a 3rd gen RX-7, or an RX-8

there are 2 things stoping me from running out and buying one.


Concern #1
its a pretty hefty price tag for a car with low H.P.

Concern #2
exactly that, its a little low on power. i really expected more, when i went and test drove it, i was a little disapointed with the power. i seriously think my 2nd gen RX-7 would take it with no problems. (turbo)


if there was a turboed version of this car, i would be all over it. dont get me wrong, it has its advantages, and thats why i am interested, but the lack of power is the biggest thing getting to me.

I am sorry for the long post, but i would really like some questions answered, and some input before i go out and buy myself a $30,000 car. the last thing i want is to be unhappy with it when i could have just gotten a 3rd gen for a third the price.

yes i am aware that a third gen RX-7 has its flaws to.... this would be the reason i am looking into buying one of three cars.

1. another 2nd gen Turbo
2. a third gen (obviously twin turbo)
3. an RX-8

thanks again!