CEL, other issues - car in the hospital today
 

So, the yellow rocket is at Autobarn Mazda today in Evanston, IL. My service relationship with these guys has been strained at best.

I got a steady CEL the other day after a highway trip, so not sure what's up with that - have never seen one of those before. The car has had all of its recalls and campaigns done - in Sept. they did the emissions update with new spark plugs and a reflash of the computer.

My biggest bitch is the incessantly creaking driver's seat - the thing sounds like used coffin lid - and I've reported it 4 times now. They have a new service manager so perhaps we'll get some joy. I got really pissy with them - they called the tech over to look at it, he hears it, hops out and says "it's the leather". I YELLED at him - "fucking bullshit it's the leather! If it were, then every other leather-equipped RX-8 would do it too!" Well, that got the service manager involved, and I explained how this was my 4th and final visit to them for this, and if I didn't get it resolved, I would involved Mazda's customer service and report how shit-poor the dealer's service is.

Well this guy, being new, didn't want that on his watch, so he got involved - took me for a drive in the car, heard the creak, switched to the passenger seat, listened to that, etc. I feel like FINALLY I'm going to get some joy on this. ARRGH.

So, we'll see what they come back with on this. I was going to have them do four things that are on the 24~30 months in service but I decided not to - gearbox & diff oil changes, brake fluid flush and refill, and an air filter replacement. I'm going to take it to an import performance shop near my house to have that done, and I'm going to order a K&N filter to replace the air filter and do that myself.

The other items on my list were:

1) Check for any more outstanding recalls (it's an early '04 afterall - build date 9/03)

2) Headlight film - TSB

3) Broken parking brake handle "trim" - TSB

The service writer that I was trying to deal with before the manager stepped in, seemed incredulous that I had Mazda's TSBs with me (thanks Rosenthal Mazda!!) - he said "where did you get these? Customers aren't supposed to have these?" I was rather used up on this idiot at this point and said, "Have you ever heard of the internet?"

So, we'll see what today brings. The car's been pretty damn good other than these little things to this point.

why the hell do you go to that place? several local members have given it a thumbs down on several occasions

And one would be me.

Mostly because the other Mazda dealers out here also blow. Also, I did buy my car there. I know that's not a requirement but ...

Anyone got a better suggestion for me in the northern Chicago 'burbs? Where in Wisconsin do you go, Blue?


Roto: Mercury dealer that sells Mazdas. Umm ... NO!

Libertyville: Jeep Dealer that sells Mazdas. Strike two.

Highland Park: OK, potential but the one time I called them, they treated me like ass.

the place I go to is nice, but they are on the north side of milwaukee, so pretty far for either me or def. you. Concours Motors

Can you provide a link to this service bulletin? I don't see it on the Rosenthall site. TIA.

Try Schaumburg Mazda. That wouldn't be too far away from Roto. There have been people reporting good things about that place.

Link to Rosenthall Mazda: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

My '04 is going in for an oil change and a CEL next week. I'm starting to experience power loss, often when leaving a freeway, then stopping and starting again at the end of an off ramp. Very delayed throttle response. Bad CAT is my guess.

shaumburg mazda was terrible. I have never been to a place like that in my life. I was going to buy a used 06 there a couple of months ago, and they wouldn't even let me test drive it a second time (This was the final test drive - I was going to buy the car after it). They told me it was a high performance vehicle, and I had to buy it before I could drive it again. I have never heard of anything like that in my life. The stupid sales manager knew nothing about the car (insisting that there was no recalls out for the rx-8). I would never step foot in that place again. I went from bringing money to purchase the car, to walking out with my middle finger in the air.

Welllllll, thanks, but I know where the bulletins are posted. My point was that there is no service bulletin dealing with the fogged headlight assemblies in that index. I don't think there ever was a bulletin issued on that issue. At least, Rosenthal has not posted one.

why do you let the dealership do the oil?

I have to bring in my 04 GT tomorrow, the passenger side window stopped working after... get this, one day of ownership! ahhh

I just wanted to drive into work tomorrow, but I guess it ain't happening :lol:

I also have a taillight that is trapping a ton of moisture... :(

I'll have to look around for recalls, too, I guess... glad I bought the warranty!

OK, rest of the story:

Well, the new service manage seems to have things better under control than before - he seems to be a good guy and really has kicked things in the ass for me. Here's notes on each item.

1) TSB headlights - you're right, there isn't one - I thought there was - just a continually known problem. The service manager acknowledged that "they aren't as clear as ones on a new one, but I can't replace them." OK, I'll give him this one - they pretty much look OK to me.

2) TSB - brake handle: This was the first time they'd seen the TSB on this. They ordered the brake handle for me and I'll come in and do the rest of the repairs when it's in.

3) Driver's seat: SUCCESS! They have acknowledged that my seat has a problem with it. They ordered a new driver's seat base for me, and when it's in, will install it with the rest of the other repairs.

4) Air Bag light: OK, this where they've added value to me - when the service manager was talking to me, he asked me "is there anything else on the car that's done anything strange or weird?" I thought about it a moment and told him that last fall, my SRS light had flickered a few times and acted weirdly. Then it came on steady for one key cycle (i.e. turn on, run, turn off), and then it hasn't returned since. He said they'd check the airbag computer for any stored trouble. Well, stored trouble they found! The entire passenger-side airbag circuit was disabled! That affects the passenger side frontal bag, the passenger-side head curtain bag and the passenger side side-impact bag! He said he didn't know why this was off, but that when they removed power from the airbag computer and repowered it, the light came on steady.

As a precaution, they are replacing the entire airbag circuit on that side of the car - wiring harness, bags, computer, sensors, the works. He said this is like a $4000 warranty repair - he called Mazda and authorized it. They have to order in the parts and will do the work when they do the seat and the parking brake.

5) CEL: Failed gas cap! They replaced the gas cap, and we're back in business! LOL

OK, answering "why do I take it to the dealer for oil changes"? - I don't for every change - just for major maintenance points or when I have warranty work, I then have them change the oil. Otherwise, I take the car to Golz Motors in Deerfield IL - they are a performance car shop specializing in Porsches, but the owner loves RX-8s and enjoys working on my car. I have them do all my routine maintenance - plus, I found them when I got my tires from Tire Rack - they are a Tire Rack authorized installer.

I haven't bought an extended warranty on this car - the car has 32.5K miles on it, so wanted to get all my warranty stop work in before it hits 36K and is out of warranty. Overall, it's been a good car for me. It has about 16 months left on the lease - I'll drive it through at least this summer and most likely next winter as well before starting to look at flipping it. Not sure if I will let it run through end of lease, or flip it early. I've already decided on my next car - a Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport Sedan - the new 2008 versions of those are coming out this summer, and they are smokin'. Now that M-B has replaced the anemic 4 cylinder "Kompressor" engine in this car with a solid V-6, it's a ball to drive.

I got the car back Friday afternoon with the service done and the CEL resolved. I'm returning on 4/3 to have them install all my parts and get my bags working again.