I just bought my RX8 last week (and have been reading this forum like crazy). Yesterday I started to get grinding going into 6th gear and only 6th. I am assuming there is a syncro issue. I called and scheduled an appointment with my Mazda service (the car only has 1200 miles) and the tech said to bring it in on monday and they would take a look. He also mentioned they could check for "hard shifting" codes or something along those lines. I have an OBDII reader and there are no DTCs posting. If the "hard shifting" code does exist, how can I read it? I don't expect there to be any issues, I've just gotten out of the break-in period, but I have had a little "fun" with it, nothing crazy, especially not in 6th gear. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

There's a sticky at the top of this forum with all of the codes. See if there's actually a hard shift code. I'm puzzled about how there could be a code for something like that for a manual transmission.

It could be a Mazda-specific code, not recognized by a generic OBDII reader. If the CEL is not lit, then it would be a data item that does not show up as an actual DTC. I've got a Harrison scanner that came with general software for reading trouble codes, and uses a separate program to read the RX-8 specific data stream.

Ken

 

I did look in the sticky with a clt-f for "shift"... didn't find anything. I have seen data loggers (helped a friend who had one for his Lotus), but I was hopping I didn't need one. Do the autoparts stores' code readers (the ones they let you borrow over the counter for free) have any data-logging capability (I doubt it)? Should I just follow the ECU Clear sticky and wipe it just to be sure? I would like to know if there is a "shifting" data item though.

 

No way, bs.

 

Yeah... BS was my guess. It does **** me off a little bit that the service guy may already be trying to strong-arm me. I have never had a good experience with dealers and tranny issues. The car has only 1200 miles!! Even if I was the worst shifter in history (I am not, driven manuals since I was 15) the syncros should last longer than that.

 

Well thinking through it logically, the manual transmission is still a largely mechanical device, with little to no electronic components. With the exception of the 370Z, I can't think of a single truly manual transmission that was monitored or controlled by a microcontroller or sensor(s). Even if it were, what would they measure to detect "hard shifting"? What qualifies as a hard shift? There is very little mechanical difference between a hard and soft shift, especially as far as the engine is concerned. The only measurable thing I can think of would be a dramatic change in rotational speed between the driveshaft and the flywheel, but even that could be accomplished without hard shifting.

 

Don't wipe anything in the ECU. If there actually is some kind of stored data for this, you want it intact when you bring it in. Your car is so new that you really shouldn't expect trouble from the dealer. Don't forget to ask for a free loaner if you have to leave it there.

The service guy might have been thinking of automatic transmissions when he said something about a code. They don't really fully engage on a problem until you bring the car in and they start to work on it.

Ken

 

I had the same problem within 1500 miles of new, and I know I'm not alone. Just take it in and they'll replace your bad synchro and that's all she wrote!

P.S. Make sure they seal the damn thing properly. Mine wasn't...twice!

 

wow,

if you have a 09 and i guess you do. an know issue existes with the 5th / 6th gear.. there is a fix..

as to a code for it. the person saying that was talking out of there ***!

beers

 

I had the same issue early with my '09. The 5th and 6th sychro's were replaced under warranty with a different type than originally installed. Absolutely no problems in the last 7 months and 6k miles since the fix.

 

oh that's right.. didn't realize the OP's car was an 09.

that was a known issue early on, i think some even hinted Mazda made some transmission changes in the middle of the 09 year because of it... people were getting grinds in 5th and 6th.

 

I = relieved. Great input from the forum!

The car goes in on monday and I will be sure to have a good talk with the Tech about changing the syncro for 6th and maybe 5th too. Anyone know if there is a TSB out on this issue? I looked for a sticky on known TSBs and couldn't find one. I've had more than a few run-ins with transmission TSBs, my SVT Focus had a TSB on a number of tranny issues.

 

I just found this TSB link for Rosenthal Mazda...

http://www.finishlineperformance.com....php?pageid=11

Anyone know if it is complete?

 

i think an internal tsb might've been passed out.. check the other thread

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/09-gt-5th-6th-gear-shift-grinds-158545/

I counted nearly 10 ppl in that thread with your problem. Turns out Mazda did change 6th gear in the 09 transmissions after this happened...

 

I'm just downright ashamed I couldn't find that thread on my own. My apologies to all.

 

no,

you issue was real, and sucks..

the lie someone told you with the sift code is the issue.. and i dont think they just replace a syncro. you get a new 5th 6th gear set..

now that was a very obscure thread i read a long time ago.. but if you are going to search for this stuff. go to advanced search and change the date from last year to any date. it helps!

what sucks just as much as the tsbs from mazda are hidden now!

beers