Started to notice in May 2010 that the information display on my 2006 RX8 started to have an intermittent problem where the display would go from a normal state (see fig 1) to a solid bar state (see Fig 2)
The dealer has already dinged me for $400.00 by replacing the display but I still have the problem. Tried working the connection with no luck.
Next step I'm told is replacing the audio unit.
Anyone have a better soluation?

 

Yea, get them to refund you the $400...

Should've checked the forums, I bought my replacement for $30...

 

Where to buy replacement for $30?

 

Yeah I would get your $400.00 back too. They are a dime a dozen off of parts cars.


www.partsgroup.com has one for $70.00.

 

hmm...interesting. if i recall correctly, nate has this problem intermittently as well. im sure he will chime in eventually if thats the case.

sometimes the mazda 3 displays have a freak out on us and all we do is remove the room fuse for 10 seconds and reinstall it and the problem is solved (typcially we dont see the same customer come back with this same problem after that...the freak out seems to be a random and usually one time thing)....maybe give that a shot.
IIRC the room fuse will be in the engine bay fuse block labeled "ROOM" on the picture. should be a micro 15amp fuse.
This does sort of differ from the mazda3 problem, but hey, its worth a shot if it will potentially save you from having to buy a new/used audio unit.

Also, i would go into the dealership and raise hell. throwing parts at a car thats still under warranty to fix a problem is one thing, but when its customer pay, guessing is not acceptable. dealerships and more specifically the mechanics at them need to learn this.

Good luck

 

The room fuse is in the car.

 

Yes, last fuse on the bottom. (15A)

 

Thanks everyone for your help.
Tried the fuse idea with no luck, I pulled it, cleaned it, installed it but still have the same problem.
If anyone wants to know the dealer ship is Mountain Mazda in Hamilton Ont.
I'm still trying to work a deal where they deduct everything I've spent off of the new suggested repair.
If I have to I'll be contacting our local news paper and Mazda Head office.
I don't like the idea of the customer paying to train certified Mazda mechanics.

 

Yeah unfortunately most dealers (and many shops) fix things by a process of elimination rather than troubleshooting.

 

I also had someone suggest I check the Body Control Module.
Anyone have any experience with the BCM?

 

IIRC
check out the tech sections and look for random display problems. I think there was something like this when the car first came out but I forget what the solution was.

 

Troubleshooting IS a process of elimination -- especially when it involves electronics. Same is true with computers, sometimes you just don't know if it's the motherboard, CPU or RAM, and the only way to know is to swap a part.

However once you do swap that part, you should test it to make sure it solves the problem, and if it doesn't, you take that part back out and don't force the customer to buy it :-/

 

Yeah well I guess methods vary amongst techs. That is not how I service computers. And when it come to cars electronics you may be right in some circumstances but the dealer near my work played the "replace a part until its fixed" game and it is annoying.

Years ago my alternator overcharged and caused all kinds of electronics issues in my car (boiled a battery, fried ABS PCM, interior lights, tail lights, etc.) and they just replaced each part until finally it got too expensive and blamed it on my Autozone battery. I replaced that battery and of course the issues returned again. Finally, I went to my normal dealer and magically they actually attempted to diagnose the problem and figured out there was a short in the harness that plugs into the ABS module. It took them a few hours versus the other dealer who had it for a few days.

 

Here's an update
Took my RX8 in today to have the face plate changed. it appears the driver for the info display is in the face plate. That didn't work.
However Mountain Mazda is now taking an interest in my problem and wants to stick with it until it has been corrected. I've been back three times now and have only been charged for my oringinal visit.
It's got to be a connection some where, I'm thinking it's the wire harness that goes from the info display harness connection and runs along the audio unit then plugs into the face plate.
I'll let you all know how that works out as soon as I can get my hands on this short wire harness.

 

If anyone is watching this thread here is the latest on my info display problem.
The dealership installed another wire harness that goes from the back of the face plate (I think it's called the head unit) to the information display larger plug. This also didn't work.
I also recieved a call from Mazda Canada apologizing for the inconvenience I have been experiencing to date regarding the problem with my info display and wish to send me a $200.00 gas card. Mazda Canada also ensured me that have talked to Mountain Mazda and they will continue to work with Mazda Q/A dept till my problem has been solved.
So far my total investment is the original $400.00 I spent.
I'll keep this thread posted as we make progress.

 

New update
My Mazda dealer (Mountain Mazda) has finally figured out the problem. They say the problem with my info display is being caused by my CD player. They will at no charge to me, since I have no warranty, remove the CD player, send it out to be repaired and then re-install it. I take it in Oct 25, 2010. I'll reply if this turly does correct the problem with my info display.

 

my display issue was a bit different mine kept cutting out but applying pressure to the top right corner of the screen fixes it.


i'm glad your issue is fixed, but the fact remains that you purchased a brand new display for $400 that was not necessary. they should have refunded that for you and then charged you for the follow up appointments.

you really should have taken the time to pull the screen out yourself its very easy and straight forward following any of the million well diy guides for removing the head unit.

rx8's can get very expensive for those that aren't willing to do the work themselves, a bit of searching around could save you thousands over the life time of your 8.

 

Hi, I have this problem and I also smack the top right part of the display and it come back but weird symbols continue to come up until the car warms up. Now it's cold, for FL, and is all garbled and pressure doesn't work anymore. This happened once and it came back by itself. Could my display finally given in? This sucks, I had this problem before and the dealer fixed it because it still was under warranty but now it's out and I'm not paying the $400 for something I can do myself using the Club's forum. Will wait a couple of days before forking out the cash for a replacement display.

 

Ya, I have this problem as well. Just started mid summer and now the display is messed up 90% of the time.

 

Oh wow, didn't notice many people actually got display problems....

 

New and hopefully the final update:
My Mazda dealer (Mountain Mazda) sent my CD player out for repair. Got it back and installed it. I still had the problem. They then sent the entire head unit c/w CD player but less the HAVC controls out to be checked. The repair facility replaced the audio unit and the harness from the head unit to the info display. The problem now seems to have been repaired. So for anyone who has the same problem I think your 1st course of action will be the audio unit.
It took forever for this dealership to find the problem, but the one good thing is I wasn't charged anything extra. Since my warranty has long since expired that's a good thing because they spent many hours trying to correct this problem.

 

I had a similar problem with mine, i just bought a used head unit for $75.00.