How long does this fix take (changing the amp) My dealer is telling me 3 hrs .Now i know it aint that long i can see the dame thing myself.

 

I'm going to get it done tomorrow. They finally had one, after I waited about six weeks. He mentioned it to be about 3 hours as well...whatever, they have a loaner

 

3 hours minimum, and they said that they hope I am the only one on the forum who knows about it - it was a bitch to do they said.

 

If i can get it out in 10 mins why does it take them 3 hrs?

 

The TSB allows 0.2 labor hours, or about 12 minutes. Check your mileage before you drop it off. Maybe someone wants to go for a ride (the theme from Star Wars is suddenly playing in my head!)

 

I checked - I had the 15K service done, AC Amp Install, Rotate Tires, and MS Suspension checked for proper bolt torques - so, the AC amp portion was only 30 minutes they said.

Sorry for the wrong time post, but they did say it was an ugly position to work with...

 

I took my car on tuesday aternoon for the SC amp and a rattle in the exhaust i was haveing. I took the rental and picked up my car the next day. I noted my miles and the car was in perfect shape when I picked it up.

 

Took 20 minutes for mine to be replaced and had the door sills replaced at the same time.

 

Mine was taken in yesterday and I got it back today. A tech called in sick...sure


It should say the estimated hours for install on the TSB

 

... but what is the A/C Amp and how would I know if I need one???

 

If you turn on ur a/c and set it to the cabin air.. you should feel it get cold then warm.. then cold and back to warm.. It will go up and down.. Where if it was working normal is should stay cold..

 

... how do I get this service started? The car is brand new (okay, 1 week old to me). Do I just tell the dealer and they will recognize the problem? The air does fluctuate a little, but so have some of my previous cars.

 

Print this out if you VIN # is within range http://www.finishlineperformance.com...07-002-04.html

 

The TSB makes it look very easy to replace. My dealer kept the car for the day, because they were busy. It did help a little bit, but the AC still fluctuates sometimes and does not cool as quickly as some really good systems do. I'm satisfied with it now, though.

I installed a 6 disc changer and that requires taking 1/2 the console apart. I completed the job in 1.5 hours and I could do it in 45 minutes if I did another one. The directions for the AC amp looks like it should only take a few minutes.

 

I just had mine done Wednesday. Truthfully, I haven't noticed any difference other than the car defaults to the 'outside air' position when I turn it on in the morning. I always have to change it back to recirc. It hasn't been that hot here this week, though. I'll see if I notice a difference when/if it gets back into the 90s this year.

 

I looked on as they did mine. Took about 15 minutes.

Mostly a PITA for the rather tall tech that was doing the work. It isn't easy getting head-first in to the footwell when you are over 6 feet tall.

 

Had mine done yesterday. They had the car most of the day, but I got a loaner truck. The amp was ordered August 2, and came in mid September.

The new amp definitely made a noticeable improvement. It is now cycling 42-45 degrees. I no longer feel the warm air before the compressor cycles back on.

One minor aggravating factor is now everytime I turn on the air it goes to recirculate. I usually prefer bringing in ourside air. It also took a while for the ambient temp display to stabilize. It read 80 degrees while the temp was in the high 90's. Seems to be working fine today.

 

That's weird. Mine's just the opposite. It wants to automatically go to outside air and I always have to manually change it back to recirc, which I definitely prefer. Did I get a different A/C amp than others?

 

Mine defaults to recirc since Amp replacement. Make sure they put in new one instead of recycled? Hope not.

Bob

 

Same. They told me it only required removing three bolts, old unit out/in with the new and fasten... test and done.

 

Thanks Doctor Bob. I'm going to ask them about it....

 

The unit will default to recirculate if it is hot enough outside; otherwise it will default to outside air.

 

Maybe this will help



Mazda Repair Information


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AC NOT COOL (AFTER 9/11/03 PRODUCTION)
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 40118171 ********

Some customers may complain of lack of AC cooling from the vents. This may be caused by the intake air selector (recirculate / fresh) in the "FRESH" mode. Cooling the interior of the vehicle may take longerif the air intake selector is in the "FRESH" mode. Maximum cooling is acheived when the intake air selector mode is in the "RECIRC" position. The AC amplifier can be programmed to automatically default to "RECIRC" mode when the following conditions are met: 1. Ambient air temperature is 68 deg. F or higher. 2. HVAC control mode is in "FACE" mode. 3. HVAC temperature is in maximum cool setting. Customers with this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the repair procedure. NOTE: Vehicles produced before 9/11/2003 are not programmable N should have the AC amp replaced per Service Bulletin # 07-002/04 1. Verify concern. 2. Verify ignition switch is in OFF position. 3. Press and hold the front defrost and air intake selector buttons simultaneously. 4. Turn the ignition key to the "ACCY" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #3.) 5. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #4.) 6. Successful programming will be confirmed by the rear defrost indicator light flashing 3 times. NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thanks once again for the great info, snap-on! That A/C amp is a little too smart for my taste, but I'm happy to know it's not malfunctioning. I think I'll try that reprogramming trick.

 

My pleasure.

At least if you follow the MRI you can tell if they really changed it or not since the old style was not able to be programmed