Engine Warning Light!

robmolloy · 07-23-2009, 11:08 AM

Firstly Hi, I'm sorry for this post if it is a repeat, however I'm new to the forum and have searched as much as I can to find the same fault, however with no luck.

My engine warning light has been coming off and on intermittently over the course of a couple of months. Seems to go off if the car has been on a run and I restart it, however starting from cold it comes on and stays on.

I took this to my local garage and they ran a diagnostics machine. They are telling me the car has forgotten all its codes and the ecu needs re-mapping as it doesn't even know its a car anymore, as if the chip has received a virus.

They have said the codes need ordering from Japan, but are unsure as to the cost. To me this seems like a very costly procedure through no fault of my own as it is an 04 and out of warranty.

My question is has anyone heard of this problem and have any idea of a cost.

Many Thanks

Rob

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carbonRX8 · 07-23-2009, 11:10 AM

Dude, IMO, they are asking you to bend over and take it.

I realize you have a euro model, but you should be able to get a code reader you self and post up the codes.

Find another mech

Spinning Sushi · 07-24-2009, 02:57 AM

You're being had by the dealer.

nycgps · 07-24-2009, 07:42 AM

U need a better scanner than typical pocket/portable scanner.

there should be a stored code.

if u locate near NYC, I can bring my laptop and pull everything outa your comp for you, free.

if not ... well, hmm

does the engine light just stay on, does it blink?

Vyndictive · 07-24-2009, 08:01 AM

Yeah... PCMs don't "forget" their programs often. For a "virus" to get into the software, it would have had to get there somehow. I don't think our PCMs have wifi...

"Umm, yeah, you're car has a personality disorder in its PCM... it doesn't know its a car anymore... it thinks its, an umm, Tractor.... so we're going to go ahead and put it into the psychotherapy for a few weeks until we can convince it its a car again."

Worst.Dealer.Ever.

auzoom · 07-24-2009, 08:03 AM

Ifyour car starts, its well aware its a car. There are certain circumtances where if a flash update of the ecu is interupted you can end up with an empty ecu. But the car wont start.

As hs been mentioned, get yourself a can scanner (http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAN-Bus-Trou.../dp/B001CBBY7O) and pull the code and report back here.

Cheers

Anrew

slidey · 07-24-2009, 08:37 AM

Rob, where in the uk are you? and did you use a MAZDA dealer to pull the codes or a back street garage? it does sound like your being had, as others have already pointed out.
How many miles have you done,and when was the car last serviced, does it run ok otherwise?

dave

robmolloy · 07-25-2009, 03:12 AM

I'm in southport, i took it to my local mazda dealer and then a garage i use usally for any work, both said the same thing. It needed servicing as well so I have had the service done, its on just shy of 50k, so its 5th service, spark plugs and the lot, we're changed but still no luck. Seems odd they would both say the same thing.

Unfortunately I fell out with my local mazda dealer over their rude and insulting technicians, so I'm a bit stuck.

rodjonathan · 07-25-2009, 03:18 AM

the dealer is screwin u and i dont see anyway the pcm could mess itself up

robmolloy · 07-25-2009, 04:00 AM

Just so you know the error code is P0610 'mazda control module vehicle options error'. I just phoned the garage and asked him, he said that will relate to the ecu having a software error and told me the code, does that shed any light for all you helpful people?

Spinning Sushi · 07-25-2009, 04:01 AM

What flash are you on? It seems that the PCM's with the older flashes tend to throw that code.

robmolloy · 07-25-2009, 04:06 AM

I'm going to be perfectly honest, I have no idea what a flash is. I have only had the car a year and have not had any work done to it. Maybe flashes are called something different in the UK? its a march 04 registered rx8 though.

auzoom · 07-25-2009, 07:18 AM

A "flash" is the code running your cars ECU. Mazda are constantly updating the code as they find ways to improve things. Each change becomes a new version or new "flash". Has the car been serviced previously at a Mazda Dealership?

robmolloy · 07-25-2009, 08:00 AM

Yeah it has full service history from new at a mazda garage before I took control of the vehicle this time last year. So i would naturally assume the previous owner had all the updates done.

nycgps · 07-25-2009, 09:31 AM

"Flash level" is sort of like the "Software Version" running in your computer.

You might want to find out.

Razz1 · 07-26-2009, 10:30 PM

Sounds like a good idea...........