Hi guys,

History:
I ve search a lot, and actually found a couple of guys having the same issue but i haven't found resolution, so i believe it's a big problem for people having the JDM S1.

So, i just bought my 2nd rx-8, produced on Apr-2003 in Japan.
It has 77k km ( low right? ) and good compression ( tested with mazda tool ).

I decided to do a full service whatever i can do since car is sitting idle for sale for >3yrs.
I bought NGK cables, NGK sparks, + OEM 100C coils from mazda dealer.

Problem
When i installed the new ignition ( cables/sparks/coils ) the engine runs way smoother but i get CEL on P0351-P0354 on all 4 coils ( Ignition Coil A/B/C/D Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction ).

I cleared codes 4-5 times now, but they still pop all 4 together.

Actions Done
I tried reset ESS (20 brakes in 8sec) but no success to see and feedback from Oil P gauge, so i removed battery did another 2 tries before starting up and even though i didnt see anything to confirm it's reset, when car started it was trying to learn the RPMs and DSC light was flashing, so i guess it reset(?).

A minute later CEL popped again.


Is there a solution to JDM 2003-2004 models for using the 100C coils ?
Are there coils that are compatible with this ECU?
Is there a firmware upgrade for this issue?

Share your knowledge if you have on the matter.

 

Just switch to a non-JDM ecu would be my suggestion, but otherwise the JDM ignition has been reported to have be different/not compatible with other market RX8 systems

 

.
.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...51-help-95222/


https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...atchhe-226947/


It appears that the Mazdaedit software may be able to block those codes, but please confirm with them before purchasing.


.

 

Hi TeamRX8,

I believe both MazdaEdit + VersaTuner allow to block codes, that is an option, but still at a high cost imo.

Post No.1 is on spot, explains why JDM ecu gives the errors.. still not sure which ones are compatible.

To give my 10c to this thread, since i ve opened it to have reference to this JDM issue,
obviously version 100 is the original hence compatible, the version 100A was also successful when i had it in the past on my previous RX8 JDM.
Obviously 100C causes issues, can someone confirm if 100B is compatible ?

 

You need to update your ECU

there is no issue with coils/jdm/2003/2004, the issue is the firmware, update it and it will be fixed

I fixed gazillion jdm rx8, just do it.

 

@nycgps how do i update my ecu firmware ? mazda here wont do it for me.
i think versatuner will do it...

 

btw, i came to update my post.
a few km after installing the new coils, i started having rough idle and hesitation on first gear.
i even got the engine off while trying to move in traffic lights.

this got me thinking more and more... i believe the coils i installed are fake.

i came across this link RX-8 Coils - You want to read this ! and it verifies my suspicions and also contributes to this thread.


So:
E.U./U.S. specs ECUs perform misfire checks on the rotors.
That involves the coil packs, eccentric shaft location, ignition sparks etc. in a single check.
They will detect a fault only when something is really not correct and show fault code related to the rotor the issue was detected for.

The JDM ECUs (Japan imports) have a second, more thorough check on each individual coil/spark plug and can show fault codes for each one of them.
This enables JDM cars to 'detect' non-genuine coils packs and while the engine runs fine, they still give a CEL because the coils are not meeting the specifications.


Genuine coils have the part number (N3H1-18-100x) engraved/embossed on their bodies while the copies have it printed.
You can check that by running your fingernail on the letters and "feel" them.

Genuine coils have engraved/embossed numbers (e.g. " 1 4") inside the connector socket and on the underside where the spark lead connects.
The number itself is not really important but the fact that numbers exists is. The copies do not have anything there.

I also noticed that all the copy sets I got had the last 4-digit code as "0226" .
From all the pictures of confirmed genuine coils I saw on the web, none of them bears such code.

The genuine coils have an engraved number on the spark lead connector.
Unfortunately this discovery was done after I returned the copies, therefore I cannot confirm if the copies have it not.
My guess is that they don't as they don't have any such details in general.

Lastly, while all the copy sets came with the coils being individually wrapped in protective "bubble" material , the genuine ones came without it
Apparently Mazda has confidence in their parts and boxes and doesn't waste material for extra wrapping :P


You can contribute to how to identify OEM vs FAKE OEM if you can.

 

u can update it with Mazda IDS, I'm not sure if versatuner can do such thing as I never used it.

Older Mazda firmware will give u a CEL even when the coils are genuine. Update it solves the issue.

 

Ugnius from VersaTuner told me that "VersaTuner base ROMs are based on the latest official firmware available for a specific RX-8 variant. When you install VersaTuner on it, it automatically upgrades your ECU to the latest firware."

I dont know someone that has mazda ids unfortunately, hence the problem.
As i keep thinking about it, i am sure the coils i got are printed with the letters ( not engraved ) and problems with rough idle started few km ( 100km ) after i installed them.

I will check if all of them produce sparks when i get home in 2 weeks.