M flash or L flash? how to know?
#2
He's as bad as Can
Some people on this board do not like to answer questions from newbes that have been ask before so for future reference I recommend you use the search feature. But to answer your question first try the “ brake pedal” test. Turn the ignition to the ON position and quickly (very quickly) step on the brake pedal at least 20 times. The needle on the oil pressure “gauge” will move from left to right if you have the L/M Flash. Also if your 8 was flashed since being built there should be a sticker to that effect under the hood, by the fenders, or door jam with “PCM calibration” on it. The last option but not the most reliable is to ask your service department next time your in for any reason. My 8 was built 5/2003 and sold to me 2/2004. The most recent flash was issued 4/2004, when I asked to get updated the service writer told me I didn’t need it because I was up to date. Funny how I could be up to date on a flash issued after I picked up my car. But I have to say one nasty e-mail to Mazda USA fixed this in less than 24 hours. By the way this TBS
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html states that all RX-8 built before 3/12/2004 should be updated to at least the M-Flash even if your car is running fine.
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html states that all RX-8 built before 3/12/2004 should be updated to at least the M-Flash even if your car is running fine.
#4
He's as bad as Can
Originally posted by Bankotsu
Wait..what if my VIN number is after that? What flash would I have?
Wait..what if my VIN number is after that? What flash would I have?
#5
Foie gras my ass!!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't have a sticker on my hood even though the car was reflashed with, what was supposed to be the M flash. The pressure guage sweeps after the brake taps. But, has anybody figured out a way to tell the difference between the L and M flash?
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "M" flash feels a little gutless from 7000 RPM up. The "L" doesn't. If you have an automatic, that will not help you.
Next test. The "M" flash will not immediatly rev up the engine when started cold. It will wait a second or two. The "L" flash will try to rev it up immediatly. This was part of the "flood fix" added to the "M" flash. Once the engine is warm, both rev it up within 1/2 second.
Both will sweep the gauge needle when the brake light switch is tripped rapidly as above.
Next test. The "M" flash will not immediatly rev up the engine when started cold. It will wait a second or two. The "L" flash will try to rev it up immediatly. This was part of the "flood fix" added to the "M" flash. Once the engine is warm, both rev it up within 1/2 second.
Both will sweep the gauge needle when the brake light switch is tripped rapidly as above.
#7
I thought the wording on the latest Mazda TSB stated the M flash corrects lack of power at high RPMs. Mine certainly doesn't feel "gutless" over 7000. They flashed mine May 25th.
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by expo1
Funny how I could be up to date on a flash issued after I picked up my car. But I have to say one nasty e-mail to Mazda USA fixed this in less than 24 hours. By the way this TBS
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html states that all RX-8 built before 3/12/2004 should be updated to at least the M-Flash even if your car is running fine.
Funny how I could be up to date on a flash issued after I picked up my car. But I have to say one nasty e-mail to Mazda USA fixed this in less than 24 hours. By the way this TBS
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-022-04.html states that all RX-8 built before 3/12/2004 should be updated to at least the M-Flash even if your car is running fine.
what is the email.....same thing happened to me.....bunch of LOSERS at my dealership.....
#9
----Got Rice?----
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the lack of power thing on the paper work is engine flash, not ecu flash..........i have the lack of power done and comes out i'm losing much more power in 1,2 and 3 gear, those ************ told me that it should have better throttle response, response my *** can you believe my 1st gear can only pull me up to 25mph and my rev will keep going up as i gas it but the car will stay at 25mph all the way to 7000rpm . befor i do the ******* flash and spark plug i can pull all the way to redline feeling something pushing me in my back in every gear, now i'm fucked! and the gas mileage stay the same 10mpg. anyone found this normal?????
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by RX-8 friend
The "M" flash feels a little gutless from 7000 RPM up. The "L" doesn't. If you have an automatic, that will not help you.
Next test. The "M" flash will not immediatly rev up the engine when started cold. It will wait a second or two. The "L" flash will try to rev it up immediatly. This was part of the "flood fix" added to the "M" flash. Once the engine is warm, both rev it up within 1/2 second.
Both will sweep the gauge needle when the brake light switch is tripped rapidly as above.
The "M" flash feels a little gutless from 7000 RPM up. The "L" doesn't. If you have an automatic, that will not help you.
Next test. The "M" flash will not immediatly rev up the engine when started cold. It will wait a second or two. The "L" flash will try to rev it up immediatly. This was part of the "flood fix" added to the "M" flash. Once the engine is warm, both rev it up within 1/2 second.
Both will sweep the gauge needle when the brake light switch is tripped rapidly as above.
#11
He's as bad as Can
Originally posted by kstkrt
what is the email.....same thing happened to me.....bunch of LOSERS at my dealership.....
what is the email.....same thing happened to me.....bunch of LOSERS at my dealership.....
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/emailMazda.action. Include as much detail as you can, dates, vin, people’s names, etc. Also provide phone numbers of the dealership and yourself to make it as easy as possible for the Mazda Rep to handle the matter. Also state what you want, I asked Mazda to have the Dealership call me within 24 hours to schedule a reflash and they did.
#13
He's as bad as Can
Originally posted by kstkrt
So how do you like M versus what you had???
I sure hope My care doesnt do what "rx8spiritR" 's did.....holy ****.....I'd BE PISSED IF THAT HAPPENED!!!!
So how do you like M versus what you had???
I sure hope My care doesnt do what "rx8spiritR" 's did.....holy ****.....I'd BE PISSED IF THAT HAPPENED!!!!
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just got my M flash today and I do feel the difference... the dealer told me that they were gonna flash my car with the 15,000 service I had done. All of the service papers state "programmed PCM for recall"
#15
----Got Rice?----
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i'm fucked ! totally! i got 140.5 mile, and the ******* yellow ball is flashing my eye telling me to give him somethin'to drink. after 13.5 gallon this ************ is finally full. so the number will be 10-11mpg all city, and it's LACK OF POWER! (well at least in 1st gear). i hope all this will go away and have lots of power and at least 18 by wednesday afternoon.............i'm praying......still praying...~_~
#16
'O' - 'H' !!! ...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Detroit (Westland), MI
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the lack of power thing on the paper work is engine flash, not ecu flash..........i have the lack of power done and comes out i'm losing much more power in 1,2 and 3 gear, those ************ told me that it should have better throttle response, response my *** can you believe my 1st gear can only pull me up to 25mph and my rev will keep going up as i gas it but the car will stay at 25mph all the way to 7000rpm . befor i do the ******* flash and spark plug i can pull all the way to redline feeling something pushing me in my back in every gear, now i'm fucked! and the gas mileage stay the same 10mpg. anyone found this normal?????
#18
'O' - 'H' !!! ...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Detroit (Westland), MI
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay, well please explain your theory as to what's wrong with your car. I'd love to hear it...
The problem you're describing (engine speed increases while vehicle speed remains constant) would have to be a mechanical problem, and would therefore have nothing to do with a new PCM calibration.
Do you have the auto trans or manual? If it's auto, I guess it's possible that there could be a major problem with the gear set hydraulics causing excessive slip in the converter. That's the only possible explanation I can come up with.
The problem you're describing (engine speed increases while vehicle speed remains constant) would have to be a mechanical problem, and would therefore have nothing to do with a new PCM calibration.
Do you have the auto trans or manual? If it's auto, I guess it's possible that there could be a major problem with the gear set hydraulics causing excessive slip in the converter. That's the only possible explanation I can come up with.
Last edited by RX8_Buckeye; 06-15-2004 at 02:53 PM.
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: South Florida
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He's saying that his speedo is reading 25mph while in first gear although his revs are up to 7000 rpm. You know, it sounds like the clutch is slipping and eventually grabbing after that 7000 RPM point! Take it back and have em look at it! Dammit that sucks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JimmyBlack
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
273
02-10-2020 10:23 PM
Touge
Canada Forum
0
09-22-2015 11:51 PM