If you havent gotten the starter/plugs/battery TSB... GET IT!
01-18-2009, 01:16 AM
#51
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I had a cold weather hard start issue.
Got a new battery and starter motor courtesy of Mazda under warranty (per TSB) and the difference is night and day. It used to 'turn over' when starting, and now it instantly 'blips.'
It's hard to explain how much better it is now.
Anyways, is their a TSB on the plugs and coils, too? If so, should I press for those to be replaced?
TIA
Got a new battery and starter motor courtesy of Mazda under warranty (per TSB) and the difference is night and day. It used to 'turn over' when starting, and now it instantly 'blips.'
It's hard to explain how much better it is now.
Anyways, is their a TSB on the plugs and coils, too? If so, should I press for those to be replaced?
TIA
01-18-2009, 10:08 AM
#53
New plugs came with the emissions recall. I'm not aware of any new coils offer.
I had a cold weather hard start issue.
Got a new battery and starter motor courtesy of Mazda under warranty (per TSB) and the difference is night and day. It used to 'turn over' when starting, and now it instantly 'blips.'
It's hard to explain how much better it is now.
Anyways, is their a TSB on the plugs and coils, too? If so, should I press for those to be replaced?
TIA
Got a new battery and starter motor courtesy of Mazda under warranty (per TSB) and the difference is night and day. It used to 'turn over' when starting, and now it instantly 'blips.'
It's hard to explain how much better it is now.
Anyways, is their a TSB on the plugs and coils, too? If so, should I press for those to be replaced?
TIA
01-18-2009, 02:10 PM
#55
Zach, you're probably correct. But if you sweet talk your service manager, he may oblige you since there is a printable, well-known TSB. Just make sure you print it from finishline before you head over to your friendly Mazda dealer.
01-18-2009, 11:11 PM
#58
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hey well im glad to say my starting problem has been solved. I just went to advanced auto parts and bought a starter for 112 dollars and now my car starts perfectly fine..this is like a weight has been lifted off my sholders...lol...so now my car is like "Vvvvroom"hahaha..
01-19-2009, 02:32 PM
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02-03-2009, 03:27 PM
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I just had the starter replaced at my own fees. I bought the starter from finishline and paied for the installation at my Mazda'a dealer (40$).
My car is still under warranty (powertrain) till sept 2009 (tranny+engine). Does that mean that I was elligible for a FREE starter+installation?
That cost me like 500$ all included. And my car soooo needed a new starter, the difference is ridiculous.
Another point, in the TSB its mentionned that if the starter label indicates N3H1 A, there's no need to change it. After changing mine, I noticed I had a N3H1 A. I'm still very much convinced it was working poorly, needed to crank the engine 5 times at least to start it. How come even the 'updated' N3H1 A starter sucks big time?
My car is still under warranty (powertrain) till sept 2009 (tranny+engine). Does that mean that I was elligible for a FREE starter+installation?
That cost me like 500$ all included. And my car soooo needed a new starter, the difference is ridiculous.
Another point, in the TSB its mentionned that if the starter label indicates N3H1 A, there's no need to change it. After changing mine, I noticed I had a N3H1 A. I'm still very much convinced it was working poorly, needed to crank the engine 5 times at least to start it. How come even the 'updated' N3H1 A starter sucks big time?
Last edited by gtommy; 02-03-2009 at 03:32 PM.
02-03-2009, 04:11 PM
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Several considerations:
1. If your car was manufactured after 12/1/04 then it already has both the upgraded starter and bigger battery. You will not be eligible for new ones for free, even if you do flood your car.
2. It is unclear whether "warranty" is the 48 month B2B warranty or if it includes either of the Mazda engine/drivetrain extended warranties or the purchased Mazda extended warranty. The TSB references use of the "Warranty Wizard".
My bet is that it's the 48 month B2B warranty, which means that all vehicles that were eligible are now out of the warranty period (ending 12/1/2008).
1. If your car was manufactured after 12/1/04 then it already has both the upgraded starter and bigger battery. You will not be eligible for new ones for free, even if you do flood your car.
2. It is unclear whether "warranty" is the 48 month B2B warranty or if it includes either of the Mazda engine/drivetrain extended warranties or the purchased Mazda extended warranty. The TSB references use of the "Warranty Wizard".
My bet is that it's the 48 month B2B warranty, which means that all vehicles that were eligible are now out of the warranty period (ending 12/1/2008).
02-04-2009, 09:22 AM
#63
Mathematically correct until you factor in actual purchase date. For instance, I bought my 2005 Shinka in March of 2006, therefore my 48 month B-to-B warranty doesn't expire until March 2010.
Several considerations:
1. If your car was manufactured after 12/1/04 then it already has both the upgraded starter and bigger battery. You will not be eligible for new ones for free, even if you do flood your car.
2. It is unclear whether "warranty" is the 48 month B2B warranty or if it includes either of the Mazda engine/drivetrain extended warranties or the purchased Mazda extended warranty. The TSB references use of the "Warranty Wizard".
My bet is that it's the 48 month B2B warranty, which means that all vehicles that were eligible are now out of the warranty period (ending 12/1/2008).
1. If your car was manufactured after 12/1/04 then it already has both the upgraded starter and bigger battery. You will not be eligible for new ones for free, even if you do flood your car.
2. It is unclear whether "warranty" is the 48 month B2B warranty or if it includes either of the Mazda engine/drivetrain extended warranties or the purchased Mazda extended warranty. The TSB references use of the "Warranty Wizard".
My bet is that it's the 48 month B2B warranty, which means that all vehicles that were eligible are now out of the warranty period (ending 12/1/2008).
02-04-2009, 01:05 PM
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However, the number of RX-8s built before 12/1/04 that are still under warranty are certainly dwindling and should drop to almost zero over the next few months.
02-19-2009, 04:21 PM
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When the new started was installed, the difference was amazing : completely new sound on start up, no more than 2 cranking ..
in 2 weeks, it's becoming just like before... it's very hard to start the engine specialy when the engine is warm! cold engine is easier to start... any idea why?
in 2 weeks, it's becoming just like before... it's very hard to start the engine specialy when the engine is warm! cold engine is easier to start... any idea why?
02-19-2009, 05:44 PM
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my rx8 was mad in 03 and last summer i took it in for the starter problem and they said it was fine, now my starter is really bad like i had to get under make car and beat on it to get it starting again. now i have 67k miles onmy car so is tht going to be warrantied since its docutmented that i did complain about it and nothing was done?
im goin to call mazda tom.
im goin to call mazda tom.
02-19-2009, 06:40 PM
#68
my rx8 was mad in 03 and last summer i took it in for the starter problem and they said it was fine, now my starter is really bad like i had to get under make car and beat on it to get it starting again. now i have 67k miles onmy car so is tht going to be warrantied since its docutmented that i did complain about it and nothing was done?
im goin to call mazda tom.
im goin to call mazda tom.
03-26-2009, 09:37 AM
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I went in to the dealer the other day to see if the recalls had been performed. Waited an hour, they called me back and said they performed a PCM flash or something and said I was good to go. I asked about the starter and they acted like they didnt know what I was talking about. The car is getting to be embarrassing to start. My ex rode with me over spring break and she said it scared her because she never thought it was going to start.
03-26-2009, 12:45 PM
#71
Again, check your starter serial number range per the TSB to verify if you have the old starter or the new one. If you have a Panasonic battery you most likely have the old starter. If you have an Interstate battery most likely the new, as they should have been upgraded together. But again, check the TSB.
I went in to the dealer the other day to see if the recalls had been performed. Waited an hour, they called me back and said they performed a PCM flash or something and said I was good to go. I asked about the starter and they acted like they didnt know what I was talking about. The car is getting to be embarrassing to start. My ex rode with me over spring break and she said it scared her because she never thought it was going to start.
03-26-2009, 09:50 PM
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I checked the vin # and the number on the starter. They both indicate that I should be getting the starter replaced through the recall. I printed out the mazda service bulletin and am going to take it in with me to the dealer.
I got pissed when I first looked at the starter because I didnt see the number badge on the side of it. Then I realized I had to put a mirror above the starter and shine a light to see it.lol I felt crunchy....and yes, I just said crunchy.
I got pissed when I first looked at the starter because I didnt see the number badge on the side of it. Then I realized I had to put a mirror above the starter and shine a light to see it.lol I felt crunchy....and yes, I just said crunchy.
03-26-2009, 11:03 PM
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Russell,
Go to FinishlinePerformance.com. Look up TSB's for RX-8's (Technical Service Bulletin). Print out the one dated 12/2005 about slow crank and no start. Take it to the dealer with your car. Tell them you have experienced slow cranks and sometimes long cranks where it almost didn't want to start. They can check to see if it has been done before. Based on the dealer and the age of your car, they may try to charge you for the battery. Mine they did not.
Mike
Go to FinishlinePerformance.com. Look up TSB's for RX-8's (Technical Service Bulletin). Print out the one dated 12/2005 about slow crank and no start. Take it to the dealer with your car. Tell them you have experienced slow cranks and sometimes long cranks where it almost didn't want to start. They can check to see if it has been done before. Based on the dealer and the age of your car, they may try to charge you for the battery. Mine they did not.
Mike
the tsb's on that site will be covered by mazda or would i have to pay for them considering i no longer have a b2b warranty on my car
03-27-2009, 11:10 AM
#75
Most of the TSB's are only freely covered within the B-to-B warranty period. A few go out to the engine warranty period cutoff (obviously engine related). And a few are ~indefinite, like the condensation in the tailight (latent defect coverage).
For this particular starter/battery upgrade it is B-to-B period only. However your '05 may already have the newer, as the factory cut-in was around early Jan '05. But you should CHECK THE TSB for serial number range vis a vis your VIN.
For this particular starter/battery upgrade it is B-to-B period only. However your '05 may already have the newer, as the factory cut-in was around early Jan '05. But you should CHECK THE TSB for serial number range vis a vis your VIN.