I even told the guy to go do that on one of there new 8 s and he choked.

 

Screaming out BULLSHIT on Gaithersburg Mazda.

 

He unhooked and then reattached the battery cable with the ignition switch ON? What a idiot.
Now THAT could fry something and that is what probably blew the fuse?
So in the end your pcm locked it up?
Why? Or did I miss it?
Wesssssssss! Welcome back man--hope things are better?
OD

 

Well the pcm locked after the low power coil wires shorted on the pully but if anything that would blow the fuse or pcm. Not the halo. That's part of the security system and not the engine management system. If anything that halo was fried when the tec did that half *** ecu reset. I asked him why he was doing it that way when I seen him do it but he didn't listen. I should have told him to step away from the car. Just for ***** and giggles Denny since I sent the service rep a link to this what's the proper way to reset an ecu?

 

Another red flag I just thought of. They told me they needed to order the halo and that it wouldnt be in till friday. Walked in there just as the guy was driving it out of the shop at around 9:45 yesterday morning. The tech said the halo came in early. And they wanted to charge me to overnight the part!!! These guys are totally full of **** and the BS keeps compounding.

 

OK. I had to chime in here.

What part are you talking about? Halo? What is that?

Say hello to the South African for me next time you are there.

 

proper way to reset the S2 ecu from a security lock down--is dealer only. You have to have 2 good keys (the fob doesnt count) and they have to verify build data through their computer systems. Thats the only way.

You never ever disconnect and reconnect a battery cable with the ignition switch on---never. That bypass's normal security start up and various other start ups systems that depend on one system starting before another starts. That was a real idiot.

You also never ever hook a battery charger up to the battery while it is in the car with the cables still attached. I have seen dealers do that too.

The security system was thinking that someone was trying to steal the car when that halo was broken too? Or was all power off and stayed off during that time?

On the S2 there is also a different way from the S1 in resetting the short term memory.
If I remember right, its by disconnecting the battery only. The brake petal dance no longer works.
Stealership--they get that name for a reason. If you take them donuts regualry it gets better, but you still have to watch them like a hawk.

I hope this ends it, but once electrical problems start........you know.

Make damn sure that the omp's are ok now, they are involved in the start up mode and the tech doing what he did...... I dont know? I guess you would pull a code if something is wrong and I know if it is bad enough the car will not crank. Much different than the S1. They probably are ok, but being a sensitive critical electrial system I would be paranoid about them.

Youre luck is as bad as mine But, then you do have that baby to play with --right?

Ok new thought:
After much thought and trying different things--i am now thinking about following Teams use of Evans coolant? My coolant temps are fine, but i do wonder about hot spots. I do like a pressureless system and the lessen stress that provides to the coolant seals.
What do yall think?
OD

 

Sure you do. There is no harm in this (unless you hook it up incorrectly, which almost all modern chargers are now protected against by pretty clever electronics).

In fact, it is a requirement when flashing the PCM.

 

True--it can be done but you have to made absoulutely sure that the battery charger being used will not put too much juice into the cars system. So it is much safer to just have a general rule of thumb--to not do it.
I have had my pcm reflashed by Mazda, Petti and myself ( Cobb) and they/I never hooked a charger up to the battery. You just make sure the battery is good with proper voltage and load ability before the process starts.

 

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of how charging systems work.
Barring the mistake of using a charger that is set-up for a 24 volt system instead of a 12 volt system, you can't "put" too much "juice" into a system. The charging rate is determined by draw.

The Mazda dealership system has a battery charger integrated into the system.
Cobb specifically lists hooking the battery to a charger as a strong suggestion.
Most of us don't use a charger, but it is a very good idea to do it.

 

Way to funny, south africa, haha

 

The halo around the ignition

 

That's where he is from. You'll know when you talk to him.
Don't forget - Gaithersburg Mazda was my "home store" for almost a decade.

Oh! You mean the coil (that is what it is called). How did he break that?!?!

 

That's what I was thinking. He said it crumpled in his hand and that it threw a code. I gave it the sniff test and no smell, it didn't get hot and there was no sign of damage other then the coil wirer being cut from the break. Did you look a page back?

 

^ truth.

 

No arguement here. You can slow charge a battery while hooked up, but a boost charge...i dont know about that? Battery chargers can have volt spikes, some are more regulated than others true but with my luck the damn thing would swith over to AC for some reason and my neighbor would come over and turn on the ignition switch at the same time.
I just want to do the safest thing possible when it comes to electronics. The safest way is to disconnect the battery. It doesnt take much work to do that.

 

Finally made it to the track (Sebring) yesterday after almost two months of waiting for the weather to cool just a little bit. Regardless, the ambient temps were 97 and the track temps insane.

Got to run with Gold Coast Porsche Club and lots and lots of Porsches on track (over 75 cars). You will see a couple GT3RS flying by on the videos.

I also got to ride on a new Porsche Cayman R with a professional driver. Needless to say it was an out of body experience. Holly S........it was intense.

Car ran great, no logging since I got to the point of not worrying about it. I logged 130 miles on track for a total of 4 heat session. Heat number 3 was a mixed of intermediate drivers like me with the expert drivers. Meaning passing on corner allowed but with a point pass.

Car ECT were in the 225 range and oil at 220 range. I always start with the first heat on premium 93 octane gas mixed with 1:1 Protek. Then I add my mixture of VP Racing 110 octane gas (5 gallons to 5 gallons of premium 93 octane gas). Always keeping the tank over 3/4 full before the heats. I can feel the difference in power by the end of heat 4.

Engine ran strong (using semi-synthetic 15w40 oil) and spraying 25/75 VP Racing M5 methanol/water to keep the intake air temps steady @ 125. I don't want to spray too much methanol cuz I don't want the methanol to remove the effects of the gas premix benefits. BTW, I run MSDs ignition and wires along with NGKs 10.5 leading 11.5 trailing.

On the first video (Heat 3) I had to get of the track cuz I got some coolant spray on the windshield (minute 8:30 on the video). Come to find out that the coolant reservoir level was to high and some coolant came out of the overfill discharge hose. Anyway, I quickly took care of it and got back on track.

The second video is getting back on track after the coolant spray incident. Notice that at minute 8:40 I almost lost it. This is due to the tires I'm currently running Toyo Proxes R1R which are not really made for Road Racing. They are mainly use for AutoX. Also, they are 245-40-18 because my current Ray G-Games (currently on sale) will not take a wider tire. I have a brand new set of Enkei RPF1 wheels with Hankook Ventus RS3 265-35-18 (wider and shorter side wall) but I can run another track event with what is left on the R1Rs unless someone buys the wheels.

Anyway, had a great time and the car ran strong. The driver (me) still learning road racing but once I switch to the new wheel/tires I'm sure it will get better.

Also, I know the car will run even stronger once the temperatures in Florida fall below 85 degrees.


http://vimeo.com/29263464

http://vimeo.com/29270839
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Looks like a blast. It did not seem like you were putting your foot into it down the straights. Max revs I mean. Anyway nice vids and crank out some more as the temps go down. ha ha.

 

Nice! You are getting smoother and wiser, old man. Brought the red line down some didnt you? Smart move. It does keep the temps under much better control. Use less gas too
You need a little better gearing for that track? And by the way --nice save! Woo Hoo

Those are too hot temps for me, but i am a scared old man. If ambient was 97F thats damn hot and your systems where doing pretty dang good.
I am not tracking until Dec and I will PAY you to come to Road Atlanta with us to run with NASA. We have a couple of those nice RV's and a bunch of people coming. That goes for any of yall reading.
Our buddy Brent just got the Fastest Mazda at the Grassroots VIR Ultimate Track car event. Our group is growing some. I have learned a lot from these guys and others and we should talk if you are going to continue road racing stuff?
Riding in the Porsche was an experience wasnt it--tires and brakes do make a difference! Too bad they are having 20% engine failure.
You car can stay with him you know?
Oh by the way Steve Kan will be in Atlanta before that event if you are interested? Cam probably has you covered though. Wish I lived close like that.
Enjoyed those vids--your camera mount is better too

 

Last heat (4) at Sebring video. Ambient temps down to 87 degrees and overcast. Big difference (more power, better traction) and high octane gas.

http://vimeo.com/29279119
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Thanks

Keeping it below 7.2k rpms

 

Looks/Sounds tempting......will see.

 

Had a great day at Sntterton track yesterday. I organised a pro Racing driver (Martin Blyton from the British Touring cars series) to come and instruct 5 of us all day.

Hard work but great fun...car was going great..... next step bonnet vents or something?!

 

by the way temp wise, my ECT i try and peak at 225 then I start a cool down lap.
Thats about 105C

EDIT: Whoops just looked at my last couple of laps on my dude logger and saw my temps peaked at 111C (233F) ouchy.

 

whoa!

juan that last vid had you going a little faster.
You did a really good thing---if you ever want to know the fastest line around a race track--get behind a miata driver.
Car sounds really good--what midpipe you have?

Temps better that day?
What size tires are you running--trying to get an idea of your speeds.
OD