Hi guys
My 2003 8 refused to start the other day and i had it towed into Mazda in Leichardt.
The car would'nt start and instead it just made a spluttering sound as if the starter motor is trying to tick overr but it cant.

The dealership called me and told me i have a blown ECU and also need a new starter motor. This incl. labour will set me back $4,000AUD and i'm really not prepared to pay that amount to fix a car which has only done 55,000km.

The car is also completely stock and i've serviced it and taken care of it as any prudent owner would.


1.Do you guys know of any ways in which i could try and save money? The cost of the ECU is $1,800AUD and a new starter motor about $600AUD according to MAzda. If i could pick up these parts for cheaper that would be great.

2. Also, i had the starter motor and leads and plugs replaced under the recall not too long ago and am wondering if there is any grounds for claiming the starter motor failure on the replacement of the part? I wonder if i can get them to put in the old starter motor instead, even though i'm sure they don't have it anymore.

3. Also, does anyone know what may have caused both parts to fail? I am quite annoyed that a car that isn't very old is falling apart in places which shouldn't be falling apart. IE the friggin ECU.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

If it was cranking when they got it, and now it ain't, isn't that THEIR problem?


S

 

I would get every thing in front of you and call Mazda H Q and plead your case. How long is the warranty on your car? 5yr 100K?

 

The car didn't crank when i had it either.
I towed it to the dealership.

And the car is out of warranty. 3 years.

 

how much is 1800 AUD ? Im too lazy to google the amount to USD

I think the stock ECU is about 1000 and Starter maybe 300-400 bux USD ?

 

1 800 Australian dollars = 1 750.32 U.S. dollars

 

yep,

had the same problem. put in new battery and it went away..

the new improved mazda battery lasted 3 yrs.

you are saying the motor will not turn over? is it locked..

you need a new starter?

did you change the battery? they have a life.. and under the rx8 hood is is shorter..

beers