Curious about M-Flash
 

I bought a new RX8 this week, some of you heard my tranny story, but anyway. Its back and its working well. The build date on the car is Jan 04, and the service manager told me its all up to date with flashes and such, However I cannot get the 20 brake tap to show anything. Does the car have to be cold, or is there a catch to it? The engine does start at high and slowly lower as I saw mentioned in a thread. Just trying to verify I am up to date, Thanks a million.

engine starts at higher RPMS and drobs slowly to 800 or so.

You have to do the taps pretty quickly. The first time I did it nothing but I went back and did it quicker and the oil gauge swept.

Well I tried the brake tap test again. No luck. It does do the Idol drop when started... otherwise nothing. Build date is jan 04 and the mazda service manager says it is up to date.. what is the consensus guys?

You can also try Mazda USA, they can tell from the VIN # if it has the M-flash. DO you have any blue stickers under the hood?

If you are on good terms with the dealer (sounds like you are), just ring them up and ask them if they can show you what version PCM you have. All they have to do is hook up the WDS, establish communication with the vehicle, and then open the Log Viewer to see the PCM part number. You can then compare that number to that on the M flash TSB (linked on this forum) and verify if you have the flash. Should only take 3 minutes.

I believe I read on here that the 20 Tap Brake proceedure dosn't work after the M flash was completed.

alnielsen that is incorrect. the 20 brake tap oil sweep test is in any flash L or later. the purpose of the 20 taps is clearing/resetting the eccentric shaft plate profile. the oil guage needle sweep was added to L and all subsequent flashes to show that you have done it correctly

I think my build date is Feb 04 and it came off the line with L flash, but the dealership flashed it to M before I brought it home.

The 20 brake tap test should work for L or anything after it. Put your ignition key in an switch it to the ON position. Start tapping the brake like crazy. If you have L or M flash the oil gauge should sweep if you get 20 brake pushes registered within the time limit (8 seconds?). If you've tried it repeatedly and it fails, I would think maybe it's not flashed.

Also, you can check inside the driver side door for a sticker that says MSP-04. That's a Mazda special program that directs the dealers to reflash any and all RX-8s seen for even non-related maintence to M flash. I guess if the brake test failed but the sticker was there I'd be a little concerned.

Thanks guys, I have tried repeatedly to sweep the oil gauge, and I dont seem to have any stickers. The dealership is about an hour and half away so I think my best option will be to call mazda usa all I have to do is give them my vin and ask if I have M flash and they will know? sounds easy enough lol

I had the same problem.. Don't stop at 20 keep pumping, It took me about 26 pumps before it swept.

^^^
What Zoom44, Ninja and Griffin said.

I have seen the dealer's computer screen with my car hooked up and it shows the "M" flash. The brake pedal test works for me, but like Griffin said it takes a few more than 20, and you have to go really fast, almost like you're trying to imitate ABS.

I was wrong about my build date its sept 04, and no ... sadly no matter how fast or how many taps no sweep. SOO.... I called mazda.. it didnt sound like the girl knew much about anything i was asking but she did run it though my vin. She says (she referred to it as power up something flash) I dont have it and I am not up to date, she is sending a notification to my dealer... Guess Ill be making that damn drive again. Will the service tech know what I mean when I request M-Flash? How can I be more clear?? I mean I requested it twice and he assured me each time.. he is a nice fellow takes him time and all. I feel he doesnt know what I am asking lol Also should the dealer have some touch up paint for me ? I already caught a stone...

Print out the TSB from here: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html and show it to him. That should clear out all doubts.

This one mentions about the oil gauge sweep brake test:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/01-007.htm

Hope this helps.

Double check your VIN. All vehicles with VINs later than noted below already have the proper flash out of the factory:
JM1FE17**40135536
And consequently, I believe, MSP04 does not apply.

If your VIN is lower than that, tell the dealer that you need MSP04.

Here's the link to the Mazda document that describes it:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html
Some members have gotten better service by printing out the document and bringing it in.

They can hook up their diagnostic equipment to identify the current flash version, and apply it if necessary.

According to the document, if your VIN is in the specified range, they should flash it if necessary, AND put the sticker on even if they didn't need to flash it.

What did the idle do at startup before the M flash?

Good to know. My car I'm buying this week ends in 136xxx. No need to bother the dealer. :)

--kC

Yes how did it idle before the upgrade?