Official A/C Thread
08-25-2005, 08:14 PM
#1
n00b
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Official A/C Thread
That's right, i'm making this the official one! I doubt anyone on this board (actually i dont doubt it) has been driven as crazy as i have with the a/c. I wanted to let you guys know that the problem has been solved. Read on...
So what's the problem with the rx8 cooling system. Well there is a couple of factors:
1) Interior is all black, it gets damn hot in there. Hotter then the outside temp usually.
2) The a/c doesn't blow very cold air
3) The a/c cycles on and off for no reason
Here's a couple fixes the dealer will try:
1) New amp. There is a TSB for this. They will replace it and tell you your car is good as new. BS. This was the first thing done to my car, did nothing. What this new amp does is switch to REC air everytime you turn on the a/c, some have claimed it blows colder air, but it doesn't. (see post #7 for the reprogram instructions)
2) They'll take your car and replace the evaporator valve. This also did nothing, nothing. My car was at the dealer for 6.5 days and it came out the same.
3) They might try recharging the system telling you it was low etc, for some this has been the case, for others it has done nothing.
4) You can try wrapping the a/c line with a thermal tape. Mixed results.
The solution:
Complain about your a/c. Ask your service writer to contact the Mazda tech line. Inform them that there is a reprogram out there for the a/c system, they will most likely look at you like you're crazy. The WDS is the same tool they use to flash our cars, there is an actual flash for the A/C system itself.
I had this done today and the difference was instantly noticeable. Not "I think it made a difference" it's night and day. I even drove through stop and go traffic, idled for a long time, drove on the freeway all in FRESH air mode, which typically just meant heater. Not anymore. I'm very excited and I hope you guys can have the same success.
This is not too good to be true. I'm one satisfied customer. I called and told my service rep how excited i was to be in a car with decent a/c. YAY! If you have any questions feel free to ask, i'm convinced this is the fix we've all been waiting for.
Remember, tell them to call Mazda Tech line as there is a flash through the WDS for the a/c system.
This flash is seperate from the engine flashes, i had my ECU flashed to R last week for the recall, and today they flashed the A/c.
Good luck!
There is an update below. 8/29/05
So what's the problem with the rx8 cooling system. Well there is a couple of factors:
1) Interior is all black, it gets damn hot in there. Hotter then the outside temp usually.
2) The a/c doesn't blow very cold air
3) The a/c cycles on and off for no reason
Here's a couple fixes the dealer will try:
1) New amp. There is a TSB for this. They will replace it and tell you your car is good as new. BS. This was the first thing done to my car, did nothing. What this new amp does is switch to REC air everytime you turn on the a/c, some have claimed it blows colder air, but it doesn't. (see post #7 for the reprogram instructions)
2) They'll take your car and replace the evaporator valve. This also did nothing, nothing. My car was at the dealer for 6.5 days and it came out the same.
3) They might try recharging the system telling you it was low etc, for some this has been the case, for others it has done nothing.
4) You can try wrapping the a/c line with a thermal tape. Mixed results.
The solution:
Complain about your a/c. Ask your service writer to contact the Mazda tech line. Inform them that there is a reprogram out there for the a/c system, they will most likely look at you like you're crazy. The WDS is the same tool they use to flash our cars, there is an actual flash for the A/C system itself.
I had this done today and the difference was instantly noticeable. Not "I think it made a difference" it's night and day. I even drove through stop and go traffic, idled for a long time, drove on the freeway all in FRESH air mode, which typically just meant heater. Not anymore. I'm very excited and I hope you guys can have the same success.
This is not too good to be true. I'm one satisfied customer. I called and told my service rep how excited i was to be in a car with decent a/c. YAY! If you have any questions feel free to ask, i'm convinced this is the fix we've all been waiting for.
Remember, tell them to call Mazda Tech line as there is a flash through the WDS for the a/c system.
This flash is seperate from the engine flashes, i had my ECU flashed to R last week for the recall, and today they flashed the A/c.
Good luck!
There is an update below. 8/29/05
Last edited by cleoent; 08-29-2005 at 02:36 PM.
08-25-2005, 11:42 PM
#4
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What does your service paperwork say? Does it list a specific part number or anything for the upgraded flash? Something we can reference when we talk to a service writer or tech?
08-26-2005, 07:54 AM
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Does it seem to you that the reflash of the A/C system lenghtens the duty cycle of the compressor, so there is less cycling from cold to luke warm? Or does it keep the compressor going at times when pre-flash it wouldn't, like at idle or high rpm?
08-26-2005, 09:09 AM
#7
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a/c reprogramming instructions.
it only works if the build date is after 9/03, but it may work if the a/c compressor was replaced under the tsb
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (recirc/fresh air) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
this takes all of 10 seconds to do, and everyone that's done it has noticed a dramatic difference.
it only works if the build date is after 9/03, but it may work if the a/c compressor was replaced under the tsb
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (recirc/fresh air) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
this takes all of 10 seconds to do, and everyone that's done it has noticed a dramatic difference.
Last edited by Glyphon; 08-26-2005 at 09:11 AM.
08-26-2005, 09:16 AM
#8
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My build date was before 09/03, but I'll be getting them to replace the compressor when I bring it in for a few other TSB's. If so, I'll try and post back to this thread and let you know if the reprogram works on the replacement compressor as well.
08-26-2005, 09:49 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by Glyphon
a/c reprogramming instructions.
it only works if the build date is after 9/03, but it may work if the a/c compressor was replaced under the tsb
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (recirc/fresh air) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
this takes all of 10 seconds to do, and everyone that's done it has noticed a dramatic difference.
it only works if the build date is after 9/03, but it may work if the a/c compressor was replaced under the tsb
1. Make sure the car is off AND the HVAC fan is off AND the A/C on/off button is off.
2. Press and hold the front defroster (on the left) AND air source (recirc/fresh air) buttons
3. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and turn the key to ACC for 3 seconds
4. Continue pressing the buttons in step 2 and further turn the key to ON (NOT START) for 3 more seconds.
5. Verify the programming update by observing the REAR defroster LED blink 3 times.
6. Release the two buttons from step 2 and start the car.
When you turn on the A/C with the MODE button set to FACE and turn the thermostat to full COLD (max counter-clockwise setting) the RECIRC should automatically engage. In addition, the amplifier should put out colder air (~ 5-10 degrees F colder and not just from the RECIRC setting) and the compressor will not cycle nearly as often (which some of us found annoying).
Note: This programming change is not persistent. If the battery is fully discharged or disconnected the procedure needs to be repeated to re-enable the settings.
this takes all of 10 seconds to do, and everyone that's done it has noticed a dramatic difference.
08-26-2005, 10:07 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by wedge357
I think he already has this feature (see dealer fix #1) and whatever else the dealer did that made the a/c system better is totally different.
08-26-2005, 10:21 AM
#11
n00b
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by JonsToy
Does it seem to you that the reflash of the A/C system lenghtens the duty cycle of the compressor, so there is less cycling from cold to luke warm? Or does it keep the compressor going at times when pre-flash it wouldn't, like at idle or high rpm?
I much rather have good a/c that eats gas then shitty a/c that eats gas..
08-26-2005, 10:27 AM
#12
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Originally Posted by TeamRX8
there must be a dozen threads on this already 
08-26-2005, 10:31 AM
#13
n00b
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Nubo
Well, just 2 that I'm aware of that claim to have gotten an AC flash, but not much in the way of information about what these flashes are, or do, or how mazda identifies them so that some other owner could benefit. They both claim that there is some special flash via the WDS. I wish there were more info. So far I'm not convinced that this is anything other than the procedure that Glyphon has provided -- a procedure which made an unmistakeable improvement in my AC. If there's yet ANOTHER level of improvement available, that's great. I just wish it were a little less covert. Or are we all supposed to "Reference Chuck"?
Go and complain. Tell your service rep to have the tech call mazda tech line and ask about the a/c flash, it's that easy. The tech will do it, they will find it (it's there) and they will download it and flash it, i figure another few months and you wont even have to do that, dealers will know about it and do it.
It's probably the easiest thing in the world to accomplish.
08-26-2005, 10:39 AM
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i'd say trying the procedure on one's own is easier and quicker because it doesn't involve the dealership at all.
but, can you scan your invoice (block out any personal info) so there is less chance of people getting jerked around (which some dealers like to try) when they go in to ask about it?
or, if you don't have a scanner/digi camera, at least the dealer's phone number so people can have their dealer call and get more info about it?
but, can you scan your invoice (block out any personal info) so there is less chance of people getting jerked around (which some dealers like to try) when they go in to ask about it?
or, if you don't have a scanner/digi camera, at least the dealer's phone number so people can have their dealer call and get more info about it?
08-26-2005, 10:43 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by Glyphon
i'd say trying the procedure on one's own is easier and quicker because it doesn't involve the dealership at all.
but, can you scan your invoice (block out any personal info) so there is less chance of people getting jerked around (which some dealers like to try) when they go in to ask about it?
or, if you don't have a scanner/digi camera, at least the dealer's phone number so people can have their dealer call and get more info about it?
but, can you scan your invoice (block out any personal info) so there is less chance of people getting jerked around (which some dealers like to try) when they go in to ask about it?
or, if you don't have a scanner/digi camera, at least the dealer's phone number so people can have their dealer call and get more info about it?
I had a hard time believing to so i understand completely that you guys are very skeptical, but it is truth
08-26-2005, 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by cleoent
Your dealer wont call another dealer trust me, i had the contact info from slideways dealer and they wouldn't call. They will call the tech line, and they will find it.
I had a hard time believing to so i understand completely that you guys are very skeptical, but it is truth
I had a hard time believing to so i understand completely that you guys are very skeptical, but it is truth
but congrats to you on getting your a/c working the way that it should be. i'm just trying to get all the info out there so people can proceed as they want to.
08-26-2005, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by cleoent
Your dealer wont call another dealer trust me, i had the contact info from slideways dealer and they wouldn't call. They will call the tech line, and they will find it.
I had a hard time believing to so i understand completely that you guys are very skeptical, but it is truth
I had a hard time believing to so i understand completely that you guys are very skeptical, but it is truth
I havent been back into the dealership yet to chat with the tech about what he found. Waiting on my official recall notice before going back even though he said I can come in when ever. I want them to practice first on a few cars 
My invoice said the same thing, "Reflashed per Mazda Instructions" or something to that effect. Too bad they wouldnt call my dealer, he knew everything about it and it took them a little while to find it.I agree it works great. There was a very noticeable change in duty cycles and air temp before and after. I still couldnt be happier.
08-26-2005, 12:17 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by cleoent
Nubo, i'm not sure what more you're looking for, i'm not a tech. I gave simple instructions in BOLD on what to do. ?
Go and complain. Tell your service rep to have the tech call mazda tech line and ask about the a/c flash, it's that easy. The tech will do it, they will find it (it's there) and they will download it and flash it, i figure another few months and you wont even have to do that, dealers will know about it and do it.
It's probably the easiest thing in the world to accomplish.
Go and complain. Tell your service rep to have the tech call mazda tech line and ask about the a/c flash, it's that easy. The tech will do it, they will find it (it's there) and they will download it and flash it, i figure another few months and you wont even have to do that, dealers will know about it and do it.
It's probably the easiest thing in the world to accomplish.
Since I had great success with the manual procedure, I no longer have any need to ask the dealer. For those who are still seeking a resolution, more details on this flash would be helpful, since many have been getting a run-around despite their complaints. Perhaps Mazda reserves this fix for those who are particularly tenacious, as you seemed to have been. Otherwise I'm at a loss to understand why the deails have remained so obscure. Given the widespread dissatisfaction with the AC, you'd think the information would have spread like wildfire.
I'm not blaming you. I'm glad you finally got it fixed. I'm just saying that it would be nice to get more solid info for those who have been begging Mazda for a fix but haven't gotten anywhere.
08-26-2005, 12:20 PM
#19
n00b
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Nubo
I'm glad it was easy for you and I hope it's easy for whoever tries to get it. On the other hand, it's a fact of life that some dealerships/service writers/mechanics can be, shall we say, obtuse whether deliberately or otherwise. That's why it would be great to have some sort of identifier -- something to make it an "official" fix, rather than the secret fix it appears to be so far. Just as the various engine flashes have had specific codes.
My paper says the following:
"Called mazda tech line, reference chuck. Recommend flash a/c system, a/c system flashed functioning at 40f, operation ok at this time"
08-27-2005, 01:38 AM
#20
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I want the A/C on/off button to work ALL the time...
Now if we can get them to release an A/C flash that doesn't run the A/C when the heater is on and blowing out the floor vents only--seriously, pushing the A/C button won't turn it off either. Note: the A/C light is not on, but the compressor is definitely on. Oh, and I have the new amp.
Also, it would be nice to be able to at least turn off the A/C on a cold morning when I'm trying to get the dew of my windshield with the defroster. It's annoying having it blow A/C chilled air in my face when I'm freezing my a$$ off on a cold winter morning while waiting for the car to warm up enough to get some heat out of the heater... I hate "Big Brother" elector-nanny programming... rant, rant, rant...
P.S. I'll pass on my soapbox line I use at work all the time. "Just because you CAN control something doesn't mean that you SHOULD or that it is a good idea." BTW, I work as a Senior System Administrator and while I have tight security on all my servers, I make sure I design and build my systems so my users can do what they need to do without going through me all the time--or going to the dealer to have reprogramming done on your A/C system to make the on/off button work all the time...sheesh...
Also, it would be nice to be able to at least turn off the A/C on a cold morning when I'm trying to get the dew of my windshield with the defroster. It's annoying having it blow A/C chilled air in my face when I'm freezing my a$$ off on a cold winter morning while waiting for the car to warm up enough to get some heat out of the heater... I hate "Big Brother" elector-nanny programming... rant, rant, rant...
P.S. I'll pass on my soapbox line I use at work all the time. "Just because you CAN control something doesn't mean that you SHOULD or that it is a good idea." BTW, I work as a Senior System Administrator and while I have tight security on all my servers, I make sure I design and build my systems so my users can do what they need to do without going through me all the time--or going to the dealer to have reprogramming done on your A/C system to make the on/off button work all the time...sheesh...
Last edited by RotaMotion; 08-27-2005 at 01:49 AM.
08-29-2005, 02:34 PM
#21
n00b
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by RotaMotion
Now if we can get them to release an A/C flash that doesn't run the A/C when the heater is on and blowing out the floor vents only--seriously, pushing the A/C button won't turn it off either. Note: the A/C light is not on, but the compressor is definitely on. Oh, and I have the new amp.
Also, it would be nice to be able to at least turn off the A/C on a cold morning when I'm trying to get the dew of my windshield with the defroster. It's annoying having it blow A/C chilled air in my face when I'm freezing my a$$ off on a cold winter morning while waiting for the car to warm up enough to get some heat out of the heater... I hate "Big Brother" elector-nanny programming... rant, rant, rant...
P.S. I'll pass on my soapbox line I use at work all the time. "Just because you CAN control something doesn't mean that you SHOULD or that it is a good idea." BTW, I work as a Senior System Administrator and while I have tight security on all my servers, I make sure I design and build my systems so my users can do what they need to do without going through me all the time--or going to the dealer to have reprogramming done on your A/C system to make the on/off button work all the time...sheesh...
Also, it would be nice to be able to at least turn off the A/C on a cold morning when I'm trying to get the dew of my windshield with the defroster. It's annoying having it blow A/C chilled air in my face when I'm freezing my a$$ off on a cold winter morning while waiting for the car to warm up enough to get some heat out of the heater... I hate "Big Brother" elector-nanny programming... rant, rant, rant...
P.S. I'll pass on my soapbox line I use at work all the time. "Just because you CAN control something doesn't mean that you SHOULD or that it is a good idea." BTW, I work as a Senior System Administrator and while I have tight security on all my servers, I make sure I design and build my systems so my users can do what they need to do without going through me all the time--or going to the dealer to have reprogramming done on your A/C system to make the on/off button work all the time...sheesh...
08-29-2005, 02:36 PM
#22
n00b
Thread Starter
Update 8/29/05:
Yesturday the wife and I went for a spirited ride in the Rx. We went from sea level to 2024ft, the hottest it got was 98 degrees. We were climbing in and out of the car for about 3 hours to take pictures and stretch etc, the car was perfect. The air was cool even when we left the car idling for minutes and minutes in the 98 degree weather. We had it on fan speed of 2 with the occasional bump to 3. It was HOT HOT HOT outside and the car was flawless. The a/c is even better then in our mazda 3
Yesturday the wife and I went for a spirited ride in the Rx. We went from sea level to 2024ft, the hottest it got was 98 degrees. We were climbing in and out of the car for about 3 hours to take pictures and stretch etc, the car was perfect. The air was cool even when we left the car idling for minutes and minutes in the 98 degree weather. We had it on fan speed of 2 with the occasional bump to 3. It was HOT HOT HOT outside and the car was flawless. The a/c is even better then in our mazda 3
08-30-2005, 08:18 AM
#23
Registered User
Ok, I want to just throw this in. I have been having issues with my updated amp (programmed by the dealership per instructions in the this thread) automatically swithing to FRESH air whenever it so desires, no matter what the temp, and only going back to RECIRC when I manually push it. So basically you turn it on, it does the RECIRC automatically, and then sometime later I will look down and it will be on FRESH without me looking. So I tried the reprogram instructions a couple times, since it is already programmed it would not flash the back defrost light. But I never started the vehicle on up afterwards, just went back inside the house.
This morning though I did the instructions and started the vehicle on up to go to work. The light did not blink as usual, since it is already programmed (at least partically), and the whole way to work it was fine, never left RECIRC and the outside temp was 77. The starting the motor right after you program the amp might be a very important step for it to actually retain the program. I will continue to monitor it, but it does get kinda annoying having a mind of its own.
This morning though I did the instructions and started the vehicle on up to go to work. The light did not blink as usual, since it is already programmed (at least partically), and the whole way to work it was fine, never left RECIRC and the outside temp was 77. The starting the motor right after you program the amp might be a very important step for it to actually retain the program. I will continue to monitor it, but it does get kinda annoying having a mind of its own.
08-31-2005, 03:13 AM
#24
Felix the Wankel!
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Originally Posted by cleoent
Hi Rota, just to let you know the a/c being on does not mean it produces cold air. Many high end luxury vehicles (Lexus comes to mind instantly) will use the air conditioner for heat and cool air. The air conditioner takes the humidity out of the air which is benificial for us.
and I understand why they are doing this, what I object to is that I have no choice. There are many times I don't want the air dehumidified or the drag on my gas mileage, but I have no choice. This is a sports car and generally sports car drivers want a higher degree of control and interaction with their vehicle otherwise they could buy a Buick and have the Buick Lifestyle--whatever that means... Up to this car, the A/C on/off button actually turned the A/C on & off when pressed and silly me thought the A/C button on the 8 would do the same (sigh).
08-31-2005, 06:34 AM
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Control panel #2 malfunction now #3
Dealer now installing control panel 3 after malfunction. Mode switch does not work front defrost doesn't work and recirc does not work. Have heard the panel comes with the radio as one piece. This seems stupid.