Today I had the pleasure of meeting up with 3 fellow RX-8 owners, 2 of them for the first time. Mikeyr was in his hired holden, but that is OK as he was here on a "mods collecting vaction". But with the other 2 RX-8's we had a chance to plug in the Release Candidate of sCANalyser, and check CalID's.

Apana's car had recently been given the "Wildcard" flash. We call it that because he reported it here first, and the numbering system was different than what we has seen before.

APANA's CALID = N3ZKE000013H6050

But xxup's car was different. It was only a couple of weeks old, and it was also one of cars built late last year not long before the factory fire.

XXUP's CALID = N3J6EH00013H6050

So we can perhaps call it the "Hymee" flash ? :p Perhaps "Calibration Hymee" might be better

Now, the interesting thing would be to find out which is the more recent. Who nows how long it takes for an update to be released to the factory, compared to how long it takes to flow through the dealer / WDS network?

I should have took it for a flog to see how rich she ran, but she was only very new, and not run in properly yet.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

It was a real pleasure to meet you and your family too. Miss 5 really enjoyed playing with the local kids while we were there..

The sCANalyser is one impressive tool.. A bit more work and the missing trip meter problem will be solved.. The Finance Director has given approval to purchase one as soon as it is available.

Apana had a nice new gearshift fitted. After the job was complete, I sat in the driver's set and tried out the new shift.. Very positive and very nice. Even the Finance Director was impressed.. (No approval yet though!)

 

The "ZK" flash would be the most recent. It's what the dealers are currently using. The "H" is for History!

Seems odd that the "H" flash came and went so quickly.....maybe there is some bug in it?

 

Maybe ZK is the same as H - just the naming system was changed. Who knows? Mazda should give us a set of release notes detailing revisions and fixes with each software update

 

auzoom have a J flash then.....

CalID N3J6EJ00013H6050
CVN 2A 31 DA 0F

Andrew did you get yours Feb this year right???

 

Hmm, interesting. Would love to know the encoding scheme they're using for the Cal IDs.

For everyone's benefit, CVN is calibration verification number - basically a check sum that can be used to verify the integrity of the RX-8's software. I would expect these to be different for every flash.

 

Takahashi

Flash was done on the 21.03.05,,,, if that helps

 

you have the same flash as Gomez and ILIV48 and I am sure it is what I am getting this Saturday. I am not sure what the others are though.

xxup. I am luckier than you. I AM the financial adviser of myself, and I am responsible for house, bills and major expenses. Wife looks after groceries, and baby. So I spent on men's stuff. She spends on girls stuff :p. It works out that she has money to buy men's stuff for me and I have spare money to buy her girl's stuff that entertain me :D

 

Rumour has it that the last RX-8 to leave the factory before the fire, a Titanium Grey, was fitted with the "H" for HOT flash, but it backfired and sent a huge flame into the paintshop! Destroyed the flash making machine.. The rest is history and the car was shipped in a Hurry to Australia! :D

And that's the story of the one and only H flash car.

 

I think that the car got "flashed" today during the 1st service... I came out of the service dept's driveway and next thing I knew the car is beeping at me to change gear, changed to second and whoosh it took off... Got a hell of a fright! It used to be very ashmatic over 6,000 rpm!!!

Hymee we need to check next time we meet - I may have a later version than Apana.. They were handing out brochures about the WDS when I collected the car.. Looks like the service dept not only know about "flashing", but they are proactively keeping them up to date..

 

What is in the "brochures about WDS"?

 

Maybe calibration P/N are different if flashed by the dealer or at the factory.

 

I'm guessing that Mazda won't mind if I quote from the brochure, but I will try and see if there is a PDF copy somewhere.. I will leave out some of the more trivial marketing babble as indicated by the use of "..."

"...Your car is not only cared for by our factory-trained Service Technicians using the Mazda Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS), we also update your car's software using the same system. It's a unique advantage of genuine Mazda servicing.

Zoom-Zoom. Fresh from Japan.

We receive software updates on a regular basis from Mazda Corporation in Japan, which we download to your car through the Worldwide Diagnostic System computer. These updates can include anything from engine management system modifications to revisions of the automatic shift pattern. They ensure your Mazda maintains optimum performance, driveability ans safety throughout its life. What's more all software updates are included as part of your car's scheduled maintenance program. They cost nothing extra.

Plug in and tune up.

...Inside your Mazda is a network of electronic sensors that plug in and 'talk' to the Worldwide Diagnostic System computer. It provides Mazda Service Technicians with an electronic snapshot of everything from your engine's management system and airbags, through to the fuel gauge, central locking and Anti-lock Brake system.

It ensures that your Mazda remains calibrated to the original factory specifications. If a problem should arise, in many cases, Mazda Technicians can use the WDS to rectify it electronically..."


Hymee, there's another feature for the scANalyser - Air bag deployment warning! I wonder what you guys can do with the central locking information? :D

 

Hymee

Just had the 20k service and they flashed it as well, the service guy said the flash arrived on Monday, you will have to bring your scanalyser to the cruise so we can check out what flash they have given me.

Laurence

 

Laurence, that would be neat. Except I don't have to bring "mine" any more, since anyone can get one now

Cheers,
Hymee.

www.hymee.com/scanalyser.htm

 

Hymee you have no shame. j./k :p

I wonder what the new flash is.

There is still no difference in the G and current flash right, except some people felt like there is a 'delay' of DSC?

 

so whats the latest flash now?
taking the 8 in for a service and will def. asking for a re-flash.
who in sydney has one of this new scanner toys

 

Taka,

Yeah I picked mine up in Feb and it is DEC plated so its one of the last batch before the fire.

Andrew

 

I vaguely recall this being discussed before, but should Mazda be charging if I ask them to flash my car outside a normal service?

I know there is no definative answer, just curious what people think.

Andrew

 

I dont think they SHOULD charge you though it depends on what service centre you go too..

So i suggest if you go to a good service centre and you pay your hard end cash on servicing your car there then they should do it for free.

Regards
phillip

 

If it is not warranty, and you are going in solely to get a reflash, I reckon it is fair to charge you. After all, you are taking up a mechanic's time, time on the WDS, workshop space....and it is all at your request. Any business will feel entitled to levy a charge for services provided in thos circumstances.....however, a 'good' service centre, one that wants to maintain your goodwill and loyalty, might do it gratis..

 

They don't charge separately - it is part of the genuine service and it is free... It is clearly stated on their marketing material (see the extract I typed on 28/4/2005 in this thread...

I do agree with Timbo - if it is not a warranty issue AND you only go there for the flash, then you should pay for the mechanic's time..

Personally, I am very happy with the stealth "H" flash and I am not keen to have it changed...

 

I have Scanalyser... Waaahoooo...

One thing I have noticed is that I still have the same flash as when it left the factory - I thought that it might have been upgraded to Apana's version when I had the first service.. Especially considering that they handed out the WDS brochure when I collected the car that afternoon.. So maybe mine was the newer one at that time..

Can't take it for a spin tonight as the Finance Director and I had a glass of wine with dinner. We never drink and drive.. Tomorrow night I will con the Finance Director into driving while I stare at the gauges.. (Big Grin from Finance Director). Like the digital gauges - nice touch..

5.4 metres of cable from the car's connector to the laptop's USB port... Impressive - may have to get the deluxe model with the cable wheel to wind up the slack..

Thanks for the MPG guys... How's the Km's to empty going??

 

Don't get car-sick! Seriously. A friend of mine almost did staring at all those gauges for too long.

 

Get a sick bag just in case then Have fun.