MSP16 out of VIN range?
 

My car is experiencing the exact same symptoms that MSP16 was created to fix, but even though my car was produced in 9/06, it is still outside the applicable VIN range.




Has anyone in this situation (outside the VIN range) been able to get Mazda to re-flash the PCM with MSP16? I know they won't do it for free since the warranty is expired, but I would still be willing to pay for it. If not, is there any other way I can get the re-flash?

This is supposed to be the range for MSP16. If your car is definitely in this range of VINs, challenge them on their conclusions..

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles, produced from April 10, 2003 through November 9, 2007
• VIN Range: JM1 FE17** 40100053 - 80215462

My VIN is JM1FE173770209909
I just realized that the ** in the "applicable VIN's was throwing me off. So my VIN is in range after all! So should I just bring it in, tell them the symptoms, show them a printed copy of the MSP16 pdf and demand the reflash...to avoid them trying to bend me over for thousands of dollars of parts and diagnosis?
Would they be able to tell me over the phone if my PCM has the re-flash yet or not, based on the VIN #?

I'm currently going through this exact problem.

Once you've established that your car is within the VIN range, next step is to call MNAO, make sure it hasn't been performed. The car is out of warranty, so they will just tell you its a customer pay item.

If money isnt a big concern for you, just call whatever dealer you want and tell them you need an appointment for the MSP16 reflash for your rx8.

If you'd rather not get bent over the counter, Call all of your local dealers and ask the price to have MSP16 done on your car. Dealer prices vary, so you can end up saving quite a bit of money this way. The most they should charge you is one hour worth of labor, as all they have to do is boot up IDS and start the reflash. If they try to tell you it will take awhile, etc, they are blowing smoke.

I remember another member mentioning this earlier, and I agree with it. Since they are charging you an hour minimum of shop labor time, and that doesn't take near an hour to do, Bring them some oil or something and have them change it, You are paying for a full hour, make sure you get a full hour of service.

Yeah they should be able to tell you on the phone whether it was done.

And if you come with the documentation, they would have to have a pretty compelling reason not to flash it.

Here is the last page of the service bulletin that dealers got regarding MSP16:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...54b156e8ed.png





Take note of the labor hours if they try and give you hell about performing anything else, might be worth it to come prepared, I've got a full copy of the bulletin if you want one.

I just called Mazda North America, and the customer service rep I spoke with said that based on my VIN #, it shows that the MSP16 re-flash has NOT been performed on my car.
So according to the last page of that service bulletin, does that mean I still have to pay for it out of warranty, or not?

I found a full copy of the bulletin..but I appreciate it :)

Here's a useful site:
https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/vinLookup


It'll tell you of any outstanding recalls for your VIN.


It doesn't tell you what recalls have been done, it is just the opposite; it'll tell you the recalls that have NOT been done.

Yeah, that's a handy website for recalls, but keep in mind that MSP16 is not a recall, so things like that wont show up.

I stated in my earlier post. Yes, you will have to pay for it.

Big thanks to Loki!! If you hadn't suggested I reconsider whether my car fell within the range for the campaign, I may have still been throwing parts at my car!

Before this update, as the weather started getting hotter and more humid my car started losing more and more power, and eventually could barely make it up hills, the exhaust sounded awful and was backfiring terribly, and it would stall while idling. This went on for 3 months. All those problems have gone away with the re-flash. :)