PCM version - how to tell?
 

I took delivery of my RX8 232 last week - black with a black leather interior - an awesome car. I have been reaing the forum regarding gas mileage and PCM flashes - and although I have tried to do the sweep test - nothing happens to the oil gaugae needle - the TSB for the M flash says that cars with VIN of JM1.............. and earlier are affected - my car has a VIN starting JMZ. Does this mean that it already has the M flash or should I be talking to my dealer?



Memnoch

If your oil needle does not sweep then you do not have L or M flashes.
Latest TSB says that ALL cars should be updated to M flash no matter what you bring the car in for.
Tell the dealer you have rough idle and hard starts. As long as they have their WDC updated, they should flash it for you with no problem.

I've been trying to catch up on the threads regarding the M flash, but I have a question -- Is there any reason I shouldn't wait until my next oil change to get the M flash? I'm not due for my next oil change for another 1600-2000 miles or so though. Is there any reason I shouldn't wait that long? (I'd just rather not have to take the time off work to take my car over to the dealer just to get it done.)

Thanks for any advice!

(oops - I guess I should've posted this question over in the Tech Garage -- sorry!)

I tried that break pedal test 10 times and its not moving! why would they say they updated it when they didnt?!

Your dealer may not have their WDC updated with the latest version from Mazda. The WDC is the computer they use to flash your car.

I had the same problem. Went to my normal dealer and they put "updated PCM," on my service ticket but my needle did not do the sweep.

Took my car to another dealer (referred by a friend of the service manager) and they knew what the M flash was. This dealer updates their WDC daily. Got the M flash.

I told them specifically of the M flash, the reciept says Level M.

CK & RE-PROGRAM PCM TO NEW FILES
SWN3H4EM000/SB01-011/04
F00010XFX 0.3

THATS what it says :(

That looks right, see the 'M' after the ...3H4E

Maybe you didn't tickle the brake pedal fast enough (it becomes hard very quick). ;)

Haha hmm maybe im not pushing down hard enough..

Hi Just bought one for delivery Friday. THen I found this site. It seems this M flash is important, I will ask dealer about it but shouldn't they automatically do it pre-delivery???

I have no clue what it does yet but after being on this site for 1/2 hour i have to get it.

Mine wasn't done pre-delivery. But the dealer did it without any hassles when I asked.

Be sure to have them check for the airbag recall work as well. Mine was delivered without it.

But everything is just peachy now :)

Thanks. I told them though they seemed not too sure of what I was asking!

actually yes! as of yesterday Mazda released a new bulletin. it is titled 01-022/04 Mazda Special Program (MSP04). this bulletin addresses several issues together and directs all the dealers to update to the newest PCM flash all of their inventory and customer's cars within a certain VIN range and built prior to March 12, 2004. so they should definetly do your car if it is within the range or built before that date. check the technical section for several posts about this. one of mine has a .doc version of this bulletin attached.

unless you have a CEL the only reason to go get it ahead of your service is to improve your gas mileage and help prevent flooding/hard cold starts. if you have had any hard starts go get itsooner rather than later. read my above post also. with this MSP04 when you go in for service and they put your VIN into the system it will now direct them to do the pcm update if you haven't had it done. so you wont have to hassle with any service guy denying the flash.

I double checked when I picked up the car on Friday and they did dot he M flash. I just filled it up (from the supposedly full tank I got at the dealer). It appears that I got pretty good mileage based on some posts I've seen. 170 miles over 8 gallons is 21.3 mpg. I was stuck in one traffic jam for half an hour but the rest was mainly highway. Would this be due to the M-Flash?

Question: the fuel guage was over 2/3rd down but then it only took 8 gallons. Is this normal? I thought it was a 16 gallon tank and even if 1 gal is not available, this seems very conservative.


Thanks

HMMM I went in for a scheduled oil change today and without asking me they flashed the pcm becuase of the 'lack of power recall' .Well now the oil guage is moving when i do the test!.I dont understand why they didnt give me the M flash when i asked for it a month ago, even though the receipt said M! I hope mileage improves now..