Hey all- It's been a long time since I visited and even longer since I last posted (when RP's thread was less than 100 pages). My 8 is an '04 6 speed sport with 120K.

I had a recurring CEL that was giving the same code, P0610. I first got it in August. The first 2 times I just cleared it. But then the interval shrunk drastically. Days instead of weeks before it returned. Often times it would go into limp mode so I'd clear the KAM and NVRAM and be on my way. But the last time it went into limp mode I couldn't get it to recover even after 4 or 5 trys. The Automobile club towed it to the dealer for me.

I told the dealer of my recurring P0610 code. Their testing revealed the same. They tried to reprogram the PCM from scratch. 'Like it was a new car', is what they told me. They kept the car overnight and called the next morning to say the programming didn't take and I'd need a new PCM. $1500 from Mazda plus labor.

My question is two fold. Does this story coincide with a P0610 code to those in the know? And where can I get a used PCM? The part number is N372-18-8811X.

 

a used pcm? not possible bro. the vins are burned into each pcm when the prograqm module installation occurs. its vin specific.

did they tell u why it needs a pcm? which code is p0610?

 

Get a used one from a junker, just make sure it's the same year and tranny.

The dealer can re-program it, just like they would with a new one.

S

 

no they cant

 

Supposedly Mazda NA can do it, the Tech has to ship it to them

 

I appreciate the responses guys but it sounds like there's some conflict. I'm going to check with the dealer about reprograming a used PCM. Maybe I'll try and get ahold of Mazda NA too. Thanks.

Any idea where to start looking for a used PCM or just start calling some auto dismantlers. Thanks again.

 

I'm going to assume that's N3Z2-18-881X

except my listing shows X as a letter between A - K not sure if they are all the same PCMs with different software levels

 

Well Mazda NA was no great help. They basically tossed it back to the dealer.

"In regards to your question, please understand that this office is not in a position to diagnose or instruct on repair procedures for your 2004 Mazda RX-8. We do not distribute fix information to dealerships. Rather, each Mazda dealership has access to Mazda's Quality Assurance Department via a technical hotline. This is offered to each dealership should they need assistance from Mazda with diagnosing or repairing a Mazda vehicle. I can only recommend working with your local Mazda dealership Service Department."

I'm not real excited about spending 20% of the cars value on a single repair. Since I can't get a definate answer on whether a used PCM can be reprogrammed and used I guess I'm screwed. Anyone wanna buy a used car???

 

how many miles on the car? exactly? the PCM is covered under the emissions control warranty and should be covered to 120k i think. id have to check that again to be certain.

also the story sounds correct to me- i know someone who has done the process to "re-ghost" pcms. if it doesnt take you need a new one. the code is the correct one to start this process.

a used PCM could be had from MazMart but then it has to go to irvine to get processed- the tech cant do it. there is a guy at MNAO who could bring his stuff to where you are but doubt that would happen.

 

probably not relavent (but you never know) . I was just talking with a mazda service manager this week - they replaced a cars pcm thinking that was the problem but it turned out to be a faulty o2 sensor instead .
Which only proves to me that they still can't diagnose s**t . Even with all the fancy technology they have these days .

 

120,962. Missed it by that much....

I was told by MNAO that they nor their dealerships would work on used parts because of the liability. So I asked about rebuild motors. Oh (rumble, rumble) that's a diffferent issue (rumble, rumble).

So if OEM doesn't appear to be an option what does aftermarket offer. Does any 3rd party have a PCM that can be programmed to run the car?

 

you could get a PCM from Mazmart and then send it to Racing Beat and have them put on the racing flash - purposely disabling the immobiliser. then the PCM should work no problem. the key fob and keys would have to be programmed to the new pcm - but those steps are on here somewhere.


hmmm wait- do you need an original key that was matched to the pcm to program the new keys.....


meh this is my issue over this whole locked pcm- 10 years from now you may not be able to get this pcm from mazda and you'll need a way to connect a used one with no fuss

 

As I understand it, the RB flash bypasses the immobilizer, making ANY key unnecessary (electrically, you still need to unlock the steering column)

I will post next week - my 'wrecker' ECU is at RB as we speak, getting the race flash........

S

 

ah right, thats what i thought and then had a doubt. we'll just wait then

 

This immobiliser issue was what I was talking about with the Mazda guy - he said something about taping a chip to the inside of the steering column so the immobilizer coil stays on all the time .

 

!Thx Zoom44! I spoke with Will @ MazMart yesterday. He said if I get the PCM 'kit' with ignition and keys I wont need the PCM reprogrammed. This jives with the immobilizer you guys are talking about. I think I'll go this route rather than the RB flash as the car has become more of a daily driver. Will has one of these kits from a 16K mile donor car for less than half the new cost. I'm going to check with my dealer to be sure they wont have a problem installing parts I bring to them.

StealthTL- Let us know how your RB flashed PCM works.

 

Also if the dealer won't install the used PCM it's very easy to swap out yourself. You just need to open up the PCM case, unplug it, and plug in the new one.

 

I wasn't worried about the PCM. I figured it was plug and play. It was the ignition install I really want the dealer for. But thanks

 

RB race flash DOES disable the immobilizer, but only on the '04 model ECU.

Junker was flashed and just plugged in and ran, no programming or key magic required.


S

 

Just a quick update for anyone who may find this helpful.

I got a 16K donor ECU from a 2004 chassis car from MazMart. I got the ECU only instead of the kit as I planned to have Racing Beat apply their street flash to diable the immobilizer. $250 for keys and an iignition switch from MazMart or $290 for the RB flash.

I got the ECU back Monday 1/21/08 and installed it. All seemed OK when I drove it around the block. The next day I went to the bank and when I got in the car to return home it threw a CEL and went into fail safe or limp mode.

The code I pulled was P1688. Oil Metering Pump. From what I've gathered reading the other 2 long threads here about 1688 codes I should check the harness and connections. I can clear the code but it returns within 5 seconds of running.

I guess the question I have is could the RB flash have induced this CEL/fail safe situation?

I've got a call into RB now. Waiting to here back from Jim.

 

he OMP thing can probably be fixed by removing the pump and removing the positioning switch....resetting the pump by turning the adjuster by hand...and reinstalling the position sensor, and the pump. This was a problem my car spontaneously developed after installing an aftermarket PCM...for no real apparent reason....and this worked. This was after 10 phone calls with tech...telling me the PCM was fried...and that I needed a new pump. worst case...all it does is take you about an hour of your time....less with a hoist....

 

^ I agree.

There are 14 items they need to check each item takes time. Most if it is related to shorts/ poor connections.

 

I had the car towed to Norco Mazda. I told them to not flash the ECU. They took the hands off approach and told me the first thing 'the book' indicates for a 1688 code is to flash the ECU. I believe they saw the Racing Beat sticker on the ECU, knew it had an aftermarket and flash and saw this as their way out of not having to troubleshoot an out of warranty car. I'd remove the RB sticker but it's there as proof in the event I need to have the ECU reflashed.

I get the car back from the dealer flooded and with a receiver hitch pin in the right rear tire. I pull the plugs, clean them up, pull the fuel pump fuse and relay and turn the car over several times for about 5-8 seconds at a time with a battery charger connected to the battery. Put the plugs and fuse and relay back in and the car still wont start. I begin to fear the dealer did something to the ECU so I pull it out of the car and take it back to RB. It bench tests fine.

I return the ECU to the car and have it towed to Steve and Ryan at R&R now in Glendora. They discover a disconnected oil metering wiring harness and plug it in. But the car still wont start. They get new plugs and go through the procedure of cranking the engine with no plugs, fuse or relay. Eventually it starts but returns to limp mode with code P1688.

I understand from reading other threads related to the 1688 error that it's been the wiring harness. So can you replace just the oil metering circuit harness or is it all integral? Do you have to replace the entire engine harness?

 

You dont have the replace the whole harness for one circuit correction. The tech should just overlay the new wire on the harness.

 

Steve says the harness checks out fine. Ordered a new/used oil metering pump from MazMart today. Should be here Tuesday.