dean2900

Someone please guide me if I did the test wrong.

I originally contacted the dealer that I purchased my 8 from to get the M Flash. They had never heard of it and there so called RX-8 expert said that was an aftermarket mod and Mazda has no pcm upgrades.

I then called my next closest Mazda dealer and talked to the service tech who immediately knew about the M Flash and how it worked.

I gave him my VIN # and he said the records show that the M Flash was done on June 6.

This morning, I went to the car and did the break test and sure enough the oil pressure guage jumped up after about 20 pushes or so.

I then turned the car on (from cold) and immediately pressed on the gas and the car reved up immediately.

Correct me if I am wrong but if I had the M flash, the car should not have done this correct? I also checked and there was no sticker of any sort unde the hood.

Perhaps I am doing part of the test wrong. The 2nd part is I am not sure I want the M flash after some of the threads posted,

However, I expect my dealer to at least know the TSB's or something about the car.

Dean

Spin9k

Not sure what is wrong with your car reving when you start it from cold, that sound normal no matter what flash? Isn't that a good thing? Also I have seen cars with stickers, and others without (like mine), and the newest flash is supposed to be in there. It seems to be a dealer issue whether they use stickers or not. Their computers and a VIN#, of course, tell the whole story as far as they are concerned. I believe you did do the test right, and got the correct response.

Don't get your hopes up about the dealer knowing about TSBs. I took my car in last week and showed both the service writer AND the mechanic TSB's I had printed out (to address previous visits in which they had no solutions). They service writer said he couldn't just do a TSB because I wanted it done (in direct contrdiction to the TSB directions). The mechanic said he's never seen the style of what I showed him before (showed me another document saying this is he is typically given - it looked very plain text - like typewritten directions, not like the TSBs we see) and first tried to tell me what I had from the web was only issued by Mazda so they didn't need to issue a recall for that problem, and that it gave Mazda then time to really figure out what was wrong, and they therefore didn't do them because they didn't really work.

After repeatedly showing and discussing with the mechanic and service manager that the TSBs stated things like "Whenever a customer brings a car in for service or compalins of these symptoms, do this TSB", they got done (I think?). At least they said they did them.

I think dealers work in a different world than we owners percieve they do, at least as far as being up-to-date by purusing the web to find the latest fixes for problems encountered. They seem to work more on experience and calling Mazda tech line and/or whatever their shop tools tell them.

By the way, I was asking to have the 'M' Flash done, and having my A/C Amplifier module replaced with the new one.

Good luck, keep after them I guess Just (another) of life's little ongoing struggles.

dean2900

Spin,

I am just going to drive 30 miles instead of 5 miles to a Mazda dealer that seems to know what they are doing. At least they know about the flashes. I just expect the mechanics to know more. I bought my S2000 when it was a new model also but the local Honda dealer had a mechanic who was up to date on it.

I just think some dealers don't care if there service center is up to date.

As for the car reving, my understanding is that it would not if it had the 5 flash because it has the Fuel Injection delay.

All I really want to know is what flash I am at. I know many dealerships apparently don't think that is any of the customers business!

Dean

boothguy

My experience thus far has been similar to Spin9k's and I'm amazed by it. I get that the dealerships are independently owned and operated and therefore subject to big variations in how they handle things like service and TSBs. But re-interpreting the TSBs the way it's been stated? Jaw-dropping.

dean2900

I guess I am looking at it from my point of a view as a small business owner. We specialize in information technology consulting. There is no way we work with clients if we do not know anything about the technology they need work with. It would be unethical and not fair to my clients.

Some of the local Mazda dealers are basically saying We dont need to know the technology. We will work our way through it using BS excuses and disputing the research that car owners have done on their own.

It would be nice if Mazda had someone who would simply call around to Mazda service center and ask questions such as "Why do you upgrade the RX-8 to the M Flash?" They could find out which service centers have no clue.

Anyways, I guess I will end my rant now

TODreamer

I've never met a salesperson that knows jack about the car hes selling. You ask him questions and you get the same answers "i don't know....i don't know.... i don't know"....its pathetic.

dean2900

I expect that from the salesperson but not the service center.

TODreamer

even from the sales person..... thats still unacceptable. If you're selling an expensive specialized product, you should know a thing or two about it.

dean2900

I agree but you should use bad salesman to your advantage. Did you know this car has bad coils and only gets 2 mpg. Why are you asking so much for it?

Dean