kromix

I have M, but I want to try N or P or R I heard there is an R out already...

What is a complaint I can say about the M... Hard Starts and Rough Idle? anything else? What about when I am there...

"Listen dumbass hook up my car to the WDS and update it to the latest software please" is that what I should say when they tell me I have the latest because I know they will...

MedicineMan

Sounds like you use my dealer. He told me I would be notified by mail if there were going to be any updates. Mail is soo yesterday. I belong to RX8Club.com!!

NoTears316

sluggish acceleration will get you the N flash

cgrx

look up the flash you want and complain to the dealership about what the flash corrects

dazygirl415

It may help to print the TSB and take it with you to the dealership.

Are you a female? You may have to bring a man with you to the dealership to get them to listen. Sad to say, I know, but it's true. It happened to me....

SDB

I told them that my AC compressor shuts off at 5000 rpm and I knew that the p/r flash would fix that problem, both were true. Tell them that the WDS must be at least at the 37.3 release. I had to reschedule an appointment to give them time to update the WDS, they were quite a few releases behind. After the update I asked for the release or the file name that they used. They gave me a printout from the WDS that showed they were on release 37.12 Patch 6.

It gets hot here in Central Florida in the summer and I have noticed the difference after the flash. The AC fix only came out with the P flash so if you stick to this complaint you should be OK. I did immediately notice a difference in mid rpm response also.

My car is a 2005 with an October 2004 build date so I assume it had the M flash originally.

-=Rowdy=-

One of the department managers at my dealership actually told me to tell them my engine was bogging down and that would automatically make them have to flash it.

expo1

A call to Mazda NA worked for me. Then they had the dealer call me back to schedule a flash. But I had caught the service writer in a lie telling me my 8 was up to date on flashes even though the then “M” flash came out after I have purchased the car and mine was a 5/03 build and still on the original flash.

tramahound

how can you tell what version your car has? And is there a database you fine people have put together that describes fellow 8 owner's experiences with various dealerships? I could bring my car to any one of 3 dealers, but would welcome other's input before trying each out on my own. so far, I know the sales staff at Rt. 22 Crystal Mazda is an incompetent and two-faced lot, but have had no experience with the technical crew.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Find someone nearby that has Hymee's sCANalyser and have them read your flash level

truemagellen

go to a different dealer RIGHT AWAY

my dealership is great, it pains me to read these stories of total incompetency and rudeness

kromix

Ok does any1 have a link to any of the TSB's of the New flashes so i can take it with me and show them, concering the A/C levels at 5,000 RPM and maybe the sluggish acceleration or hard starts.... by the way, i am a male, but it doesnt make a difference in miami these dealers are stupid and can't even speak proper english and say "Oye no problemo meng, you have new flash ok? go happy bye"

conedodger

Try this: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

brillo

loosen your gas cap until you get a CEL. Then take your car to the dealer.

kromix

i have a link to that website http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

but i can't find any TSB's that talk about the P flashes or above, any1 see one??

Vertigo-1

iTrader: (3)

I complained about hard starts last Tuesday during my oil change, hoping to get the latest flash, and got flashed with something that was put on last year instead. I don't think it's even the N flash. And I still get hard starts. Maybe I should print out the TSB and tell them I'm still getting hard starts and see where that gets me. At least the dealership is somewhat open to flashing without too much arguing, but I live in an area where car owners are pretty dumb to things like this. So I doubt their software and whatever TSBs they're looking at is up to date.

I suspect this is the TSB to use BTW: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...08-05-1455.pdf

I notice it states a 05 at the end of the bulletin no. So this one *should* at least put you to N or P if you're lucky. I think these two flashes were released only this year?

valpac

iTrader: (2)

The reason most dealerships wont re-flash the car is that they can only bill 0.3 hours to Mazda. They know it takes longer than that to accomplish (poor training) so they lose money on the deal.

Yes, force a CEL (gas cap) or just lie (oh no, customers lying to dealers, they never lie to us). Or just take it to other dealers until you get satisfaction.

1zzy

My question is, how long does it take to get a flash done? I called one dealer and they said they wanted to have the car for most of the day and that I would have to schedule in advance. Either they are really busy or it will take some time for them to flash this. I really need to find a dealer close enought that I can take the car during work and drop it off and pick it up during lunch or something.

Aseras

it take about 10 minutes to flash it.. it will take all day if they are using the wds updates as coasters and have to install them all to get updated.

dwill9578

my dealer won't do it either, i'll try the hard start thing maybe sluggish???

URNED8

1zzy,
I took mine into the Fitzgerald Mazda in Frederick, and they did the flash in like 30 minutes, along with a few TSB's. I've had really good experience with them.

1zzy

Well I had an appointment to take it in this morning to Russell Mazda on Rt. 40 (MD). Originally it was just to do the MSP04 (ECU Flash) and to get a second key coded as I had to get a blank cut because my used '04 only came with one key.

When I went in, the Assistant Service Manager originally told me that is would be $82.95 to code the key, but when I explained I got the car used and had to buy another key from them this past Friday, she said they would just code it for me. I also slipped in there the rusted rotors and that Mazda NA had told me they could do an ECI search for it. I had originally called Mazda NA when I first got the car, not only did they send me touch-up paint and change the owner information in the system, but they also told me about the MSP04 that was open and put the rusted rotors into the system for approval.

So far I am really happy with my car and I hope that everything goes okay for this service trip. I will have to wait for the paperwork to find out what Flash Version I got.

1zzy

*Update:* I just got my car back from Russell Automotive. They did the "M" flash according to the Service Manager (not sure how I could have gotten a later one). Also coded the key for me, but had no clue about painting rusted rotors. Gave them Snap-On's printout with the dealercode and directions and they said they would get back to me.

Question I have now is, sitting in the driveway after driving home, it seems like the car idles a little rough now. Could be me being over sensitive after a flash and just looking for anything. The car idles at the same spot but every once in a while seems like it is loosing it a little before re-correcting. Is this normal after a re-flash? If so, about how long does it take before it stablizes?

kromix

I think that rough idle is your M flash because I have the M flash and it happens, I am in getting a new flash now, lets see which one I get.... P.S I dropped off the car @ 9:35 AM, I called in at 5:00 PM asking if I can go pick up the car, they told me no, its not ready yet, the process takes a while and it will be ready tomorrow around 3 PM. So what are they doing leaving it plugged in overnight for a 24 hour download? WTF!!!!

legokcen

Usually people get flashes when they offer beads.