akasonny

My electric door-lock switch and key fobs (2) quit working. When I used the fob to lock, lights flash but no locking.

Took it to the dealership and was told it was a faulty "TSN-3" module located beneath the kick panel on the passenger side...for $695.00! I've searched Internet and this forum but to no avail. I'm 90% sure the service-writer called it a TSN-3 module.

Needless to say, I didn't bite. Has anyone heard of this thing? Has anybody even replaced theirs? Are there after-market modules?

Eeeeeeek! Aaaaargh!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

That's one of the module. Are they sure it has failed ?

it might be be just a loose connector

akasonny

Who knows. I have never trusted dealerships. All I know is that's what they said.

ASH8

Post here or PM me your FULL VIN, the JM1FE-----------

I can then tell you which part (exactly) the Dealer is talking about....without a VIN I am wasting everyones time..

Did the Dealer connect your car to MMDS (a PC with dealer software)?, it would be telling them this, then NO the dealer is not trying to rip you off...a Dealer does not make or design any cars, they are all private companies.

ALL these control modules (and there are many for all series RX-8's, the new parts are very expensive), if it is a PATS/Key module then it will cost, and also must be coded my a Mazda Dealer with appropriate Mazda software and in-codes...it is NOT a plug and play device module.

There are no aftermarket units...'if' this is the issue.

akasonny

Repair summary only says "...found intermittent operation of lock and no unlock operation. Transmitter batteries good with 3.0v and 3.2v operating normally. Found internal short in keyless control module...". The service writer called it a TSM-3 module...$565 +tax / labor $115. VIN is JM1FE17N340134736.

Having once worked for a Ford dealership I can indeed confirm that rip-offs are a regular occurrence...all the way from sales of both new & used cars down through parts, the body shop the business office & the service dept. As a former Business Manager, there, I know what really goes on in these places. Not saying Mazda, too, isn't' complicit too....just sayin'.

If this is the module I think it is, used ones can be found on EBay for $50.

akasonny

Well they said it was tested and a short was detected so...who knows?

ASH8

The term 'rip off' and my reference was to OE Mazda Parts, ALL Dealers in the US buys @ the exact same price and most sell for retail @ the same price give or take 5%, they have to to be competitive.

ANY business who has to purchase 'a' product has to have 'a' margin (as you know), Mazda does not give them the parts for nothing.

It is MAZDA (MNAO) the Distributor and Mazda Japan which makes the bulk of the money (350%+ MNAO Parts), and all car owners also pays a small fortune for shipping and freight costs...Japan, to USA, to Dealers, etc....same for any car brand.

IF there is any Parts Dealer who is blatantly 'ripping off' customers then their business will suffer.

Labor charge is another issue again, one mechanic may take 1 hour to do a task, another guy may take 4 hours to do the exact same job on the same or different day, so what does the customer get charged?...Would you prefer a standard set charge rate or actual charge rate for labor?

And yes I have worked in Mazda Distribution, more than a few Mazda Dealers (Parts and Service) and in a Japanese car plant (Mitsubishi) for just a few years.

Costs @ any car retail outlet (particularly fixed operations) is very, very expensive.
As you know it does not come for free just because you buy a car at a private business.
Let alone how good/experienced dealer staff is or can be found.

Anyway.....

All OE Control Modules are expensive..always have been.

Your Auto RX-8 has the very early type of 'key system'..

FEY3-67-5D2A Key-less Entry Module (receiver) with Burglar Alarm $560 retail, cheaper on line @ a Mazda Dealer.

Below I added OEM part number for Key Transmitter (just in case).

FEY1-67-5RY Key Transmitter (in case this is need, this one holds batteries and was tested by dealer as OK) is $150 retail, cheaper on-line.

Good luck..

ASH8

I would be very careful on buying a 'used' unit from eBay....if it is not from the exact same production period for your USA model then Control Module will not work, plus it has to be PATS coded @ a Mazda Dealer.

THERE is no way around this one..it has to be PATS coded or else car will not start, nothing which requires a 'key' to use will work.

Post the eBay URL, I may be able to tell you if this is the correct unit for your car.

akasonny

The term 'rip off' and my reference was to OE Mazda Parts, ALL Dealers in the US buys @ the exact same price and most sell for retail @ the same price give or take 5%, they have to to be competitive.

ANY business who has to purchase 'a' product has to have 'a' margin (as you know), Mazda does not give them the parts for nothing.

It is MAZDA (MNAO) the Distributor and Mazda Japan which makes the bulk of the money (350%+ MNAO Parts), and all car owners also pays a small fortune for shipping and freight costs...Japan, to USA, to Dealers, etc....same for any car brand.

IF there is any Parts Dealer who is blatantly 'ripping off' customers then their business will suffer.

Labor charge is another issue again, one mechanic may take 1 hour to do a task, another guy may take 4 hours to do the exact same job on the same or different day, so what does the customer get charged?...Would you prefer a standard set charge rate or actual charge rate for labor?

And yes I have worked in Mazda Distribution, more than a few Mazda Dealers (Parts and Service) and in a Japanese car plant (Mitsubishi) for just a few years.

Costs @ any car retail outlet (particularly fixed operations) is very, very expensive.
As you know it does not come for free just because you buy a car at a private business.
Let alone how good/experienced dealer staff is or can be found.

Anyway.....

All OE Control Modules are expensive..always have been.

Your Auto RX-8 has the very early type of 'key system'..

FEY3-67-5D2A Key-less Entry Module (receiver) with Burglar Alarm $560 retail, cheaper on line @ a Mazda Dealer.

Below I added OEM part number for Key Transmitter (just in case).

FEY1-67-5RY Key Transmitter (in case this is need, this one holds batteries and was tested by dealer as OK) is $150 retail, cheaper on-line.

Good luck..

akasonny

That is a big help obtaining the part number. Thankyou. I realize the dealership is going to have to program/install any replacement I'm able to locate, if any. I'm just hoping to find this module a little cheaper. I am the original owner of this '04 and between motor mounts, replacement radiator bottle and a host of other things that were wrong with it after warranty expired, I've learned it pays to shop around.

Do you have a fave website for such things?

ASH8

Mazmart or Montgomery's (NC)...pretty much the same.

http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com/

http://www.mazmart.com/

This guy Duval Mazda in FL is slightly cheaper (<5%) but charges more for shipping (allegedly).

http://www.duvalmazdaavenues.com/cus...L-Mazda-Dealer

akasonny

Yes. Also learned that NOBODY will accept the electronic modules in return if they've been installed or even unwrapped. If tech misdiagnosed the problem and this module is mistakenly installed/removed you have a $450 paperweight.

I'm screwed. Going to have to pay the local dealership's inflated price ($560 plus install) rather than the $425 I found at other Mazda dealerships/part houses. If local dealership misdiagnosed, local dealership said they will accept the return. Interesting info for others.

akasonny

Thanks again. Local dealership will be installing, instead, because they are the only people who will accept the unit in return if it turns out that tech misdiagnosed the problem... Even tho I'm being charged $560 plus installation vs. the $425 I found on it at other dealerships. It appears, then, there is quite a discrepancy, even among dealerships, on any specific part.

ASH8

The higher price is retail, the lower price is a cheaper on-line 'wholesale price' (we call it a 'trade price' in Australia as only the DEALER really buys at true much lower wholesale as they buy OEM parts from the actual brand wholesaler which is MNAO ( the only Mazda Distributor in NA).

Some car brands will not even except returns of 'other' non electric parts once the plastic bag seal or box seal is broken (try Ford, with bearings, seals, gaskets), Mazda generally are not that bad, however, one would think that your local consumer laws would prevent any retailer from refusing a refund 'if' the new part was defective, or, the wrong diagnosis was done @ said Parts or Service Department.

Again, unfortunately some diagnosis has to be done @ a new car dealer, they have the investment (equipment) to correctly diagnose...or you go out any buy your own, which is a cost of well over $1500.

I hope the dealer got it right in this diagnosis, please let us know.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-te...8/#post4487050

akasonny

Yeah I hope so too. This is an extraordinary price to pay just to be able to lock/unlock a car...more than the ECU from what I can determine.

The part is on order (only 3 such units could be located nationwide in the dealerships parts computer). In aboutaweek I'll have it and have them install it. If I didn't want to keep the car pristine, I'd never spend this kind of money on such a device.

Will post here when the process is done.

j9fd3s

if it makes you feel better my dad had an Audi A6, and to get the doors to lock and unlock was $1300+labor.

he replaced that one with a new A6, and the doors locked, but Audi wanted to take the engine apart to clean it every 20,000 miles, which was under warranty @20k, but not 40k, so he doesn't own that one either.

ASH8

What "take the engine apart to 'clean it', sounds like a 'rotary"??...

j9fd3s

@20k miles the check engine light came on, and he took it to the dealer and there was a bulletin and a reflash for that code, which they did

the check engine light came on again shortly after that, and the bulletin fix for that is to disassemble the engine and clean all the carbon out, which they did. however they didn't get it back together correctly (mileage was down) and the warranty is only 3/36, so when it happens again, its customer pay...

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

after seeing this, I felt great that I did NOT get an Audi 2-3 yrs ago

j9fd3s

my brother's had Audi's since 2000 or something, and they might look like transportation, but they are actually cleverly disguised torture devices.