Potential Problem with new recall ECU flash
#1
Blonde Bastard
Thread Starter
Potential Problem with new recall ECU flash
Ok, so I just got my car back from that recall that mazda put out and the good news is that I didnt need a new engine so they just reflashed my ecu. Now the car seems to take a little longer to turn over but it SEEMS like i MAY have more performance. Maybe its just in my head but I dunno. I just want to see if anyone else here has had their ecu reflashed for this recall and do you have the problem of the car taking a little longer to turn over? Also does your 8 seem to have more "get up and go" from the midrange on up?
#2
jersey fresh
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Originally Posted by Landon
Ok, so I just got my car back from that recall that mazda put out and the good news is that I didnt need a new engine so they just reflashed my ecu. Now the car seems to take a little longer to turn over but it SEEMS like i MAY have more performance. Maybe its just in my head but I dunno. I just want to see if anyone else here has had their ecu reflashed for this recall and do you have the problem of the car taking a little longer to turn over? Also does your 8 seem to have more "get up and go" from the midrange on up?
#3
Blonde Bastard
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Originally Posted by dillsrotary
i experienced the same thing, the longer turn over for the engine only lasted a couple starts, it starts right up now just fine. the more "up and go" might be from the new spark plugs, did you have original plugs in before with alot of miles on them?
#4
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Most people report that their car feels peppier right after a reflash. The reflash also cuts fuel on startup to avoid flooding. That could explain more cranks to start.
#5
Blonde Bastard
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Originally Posted by RevTo9K
Most people report that their car feels peppier right after a reflash. The reflash also cuts fuel on startup to avoid flooding. That could explain more cranks to start.
Do you know all of what this flash changed vs the previous one?
#7
Blonde Bastard
Thread Starter
I just wanted to give an update to this thread...
Its been a few days and MANY starts later and the problem still has not gone away. I called a few mazda dealers and all said the same thing... this problem has been reported and isnt going away, Its a byproduct of the new PCM flash. I asked if the flash could be changed back to an older version so I dont have to worry about the starting problem and each of them said no. In short... if you want to avoid the problem dont get the recall work done if you dont think you need it (IE not having any kind of problems)
Its been a few days and MANY starts later and the problem still has not gone away. I called a few mazda dealers and all said the same thing... this problem has been reported and isnt going away, Its a byproduct of the new PCM flash. I asked if the flash could be changed back to an older version so I dont have to worry about the starting problem and each of them said no. In short... if you want to avoid the problem dont get the recall work done if you dont think you need it (IE not having any kind of problems)
#8
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What kind of problem is it if the engine requires a few more cranks but has less (presumably) potential for flooding?
#9
Blonde Bastard
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Originally Posted by RotrDoc
What kind of problem is it if the engine requires a few more cranks but has less (presumably) potential for flooding?
#10
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I had the engine flash (I also have the new battery and starter), and it takes me no longer to start up as it did before. It's possible MAYBE a fraction of a second.. but nothing noticable.
#11
Blonde Bastard
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fray
I had the engine flash (I also have the new battery and starter), and it takes me no longer to start up as it did before. It's possible MAYBE a fraction of a second.. but nothing noticable.
#12
He's as bad as Can
I still have the original starter ( 5/2003 ) but I do have the larger battery and new plugs. How would the older starter react to this new Flash? I am also out of warranty so would they change my starter? More and more I feel like my fine running 8 will not see a dealer anytime soon. Once I receive the letter I do plan on asking Mazda what they will do if I was to get this flash and my car start to run like crap. If they will not stand behind the flash I am not going to get it.
#13
Blonde Bastard
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by expo1
I still have the original starter ( 5/2003 ) but I do have the larger battery and new plugs. How would the older starter react to this new Flash? I am also out of warranty so would they change my starter? More and more I feel like my fine running 8 will not see a dealer anytime soon. Once I receive the letter I do plan on asking Mazda what they will do if I was to get this flash and my car start to run like crap. If they will not stand behind the flash I am not going to get it.
Last edited by Landon; 09-21-2006 at 11:56 AM.
#15
Blonde Bastard
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Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBalrog
You might want to call Mazda directly and complain if you are not satisfied with what the dealers say.
#16
jersey fresh
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i believe we should keep track of this into the colder winter months and see if this flash effects a truly "cold" start that we in the northeast will experience. I had no trouble last year in some of the freezing weather, but lets just keep and eye open to see what we experience this year with the new flash.
#17
Purveyor of fine bass
From the main recall thread, it seems that Mazda has reduced the amount of gas delivery on initial cranking. Hence, you are experiencing longer starts. It makes sense that you are experiencing consistently longer starts.
I assume Mazda did this to reduce the chance of flooding the engine (or increase the chance of deflooding it if it was somewhat flooded).
As others have said, we've yet to see whether this will actually be a problem in cold temperatures.
I assume Mazda did this to reduce the chance of flooding the engine (or increase the chance of deflooding it if it was somewhat flooded).
As others have said, we've yet to see whether this will actually be a problem in cold temperatures.
#18
Purveyor of fine bass
In fact, the recall letter to owners says that one of the problems is that "Too much fuel may be injected at the time of engine start causing carbon to be deposited on spark plugs or plugs may be flooded, causing a difficult start condition."
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