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.

4. Does anyone know the email for Mazda Australia? Or the relevant authority whom i could email to discuss this issue?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Something doesnt sound right , get a new set of ignition coils / new Battery , its most likely your problem and not the ECU / or the Starter motor .

1 OF MANY THREADS ON IGNITION COIL FAILURES

https://www.rx8club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-37/bad-coils-146630/


Here is his email address, of the managing director ddickson@mazda.com.au

Or J Read, Customer Services manager MA, jread@mazda.com.au



Cheers
Michael

 

That is utterly strange. I will challenge the diagnosis as well. I will email them for sure.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am curious though, what makes you think it is an ignition coil problem?

I have called Mazda and they confirmed that the ECU is throwing out error codes reporting internal errors with the ECU and that the starter motor is faulty.

Should i suggest to them that it may be the ignition coils?

Or are they that inept that I need to diagnose the vehicle myself?

 

It seems strange that the ECU and the starter would go at the same time.....

It's just not very likely to be both spontaneously at the same time.

 

You wouldn't believe it, but I think I'm having exactly the same problem, I couldn't get it started this morning, the engine cranked no problem, but no spark??

I'll get it towed down to City Mazda in Melbourne tomorrow when my RACV roadside assistance kicks in, I'll let you know how I go...

 

if the starter motor has already been replaced there should be a warranty on the replacement . it may only be a year but any part should have a new service life.

i would get a second opinion on the ecu. maybe waste $150-250 dollars on a scan tool and pull the codes yourself. the efidude prologger $150 usd should be able to do it. or the innovate OT1 $150usd. or hymee's scanalyser $250? .au
while these two may read the codes they may not tell you what they are. you may have to search or ask on the forums.

try and source the starter from the US where people are buying the coils from. bound to be cheaper.

good luck!

 

Yup... I'm with all the others. I definitely would get a second opinion, as I've yet to come across a Mazda dealership that is any good with troubleshooting.
For the cost of a tow ($100) + coils ($150) and some of your time, I would go down that route.
Your description sounds like the starter was able to crank the engine but it just wasn't firing.
What the worst case if you try this and it doesn't work? you've lost $250? maybe another $100 to get it towed somewhere else. Best case? you've saved $3750.00.
If you're in Syd (close to the Hills district ;-P) PM me and I can give you a hand installing your coils. (Assuming you need it. They're pretty easy to do.)

 

I'm with all of you who advocate a second opinion. In my case, it was a coil and an oxygen sensor. It took the Mazda dealer and Mazda technical people 3 days to sort it out. You might consider ringing Mazda Australia, and asking for their technical peole to talk to your dealer.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I spoke to MA and they were quite adamant that the issue is not something that is their fault. Regardless, i will be pursuing the matter further in due course but for now I am going to ring my Mazda dealer and ask him to order a new computer and attempt to diagnose the vehicle. He seems confident that the ECU is gone but I will make sure he is aware that I am not paying for a new ECU if his diagnosis is apparently wrong and it happens to be the ignition coils.

Thanks LittleJohn and others for your help I will keep you updated.

 

Doesn't work like that.

Warranty of any replacement part expires on the date as your car warranty expires.

If the four week old replacement part fails two days after your warranty expires, you're up for the cost to replace it.

Of course, your local dealer may may step up and look after you if he's feeling generous.

 

Mogley, you are obviously cursed (or your car is).

From memory, it's been hail damaged, smashed by you, driven into by someone else, had brake and ecu problems, gearbox issues....and now this.

Time to sell and buy a Gemini.

They're cheap and easy to fix. If you **** it up, just go to the ATM, make a withdrawal, and buy another one!!

Rx-8's and Mogley just don't mix .

 

lol true.

The only time i ever deserved to pour any $$ into my car was when i caused the accident. Learnt my lesson and i'll never do it again.

But everything else...

But oh so hard to let go. Like a little kid who spills milk all over the floor and when you catch them they smile and come and give you a hug.

 

Just an update, got my car towed to City Mazda in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon, and got it back on Wednesday night, 1 RACV membership later ($110) and after an hour or so at Mazda (another $100).

Apparently the engine was flooded and is a common problem. Never happened once in 4 years of ownership, I certainly didn't do anything unusual to try and start the car.

 

Good that it is working again. Time to check the spark plugs.

mogley any updates?

 

ok guys so my car is now fixed and back on the road after around $2,500.

Apparently after the PCM was replaced the car fired up and there was no need to do anything more than replace the spark plugs and leads for some reason.

I have the old PCM with me so i may try to send it off to someone with expertise to see if they might want to see what was actually wrong with it. I also have a friend who works with a large ECU aftermarket firm that may be interested in taking a look at it.

Nevertheless, fingers crossed there is no more problems.

I did notice however that when trying to redline the engine coolant light came on and then disappeared again. I am going to go home and check the coolant but with regular servicing I am thinking there is now something wrong with the engine coolant sensor.

I hope it is not another major problem although being so close to my PCM I am getting a little worried.

Will check it out and keep you guys updated.

 

Engine coolant light is something common and certainly is the sensor issue. Some people just unplug the sensor and look at the coolant temp instead.

Check which way the coolant excess hose is pointing

The old PCM, if able to repair, is worth using for some self experienmenting (e.g. tuning?)

 

Glad to hear your dealer wasn't "inept" in fixing your 8.

Has there been many PCM issues out there, I thought they were almost bulletproof?