ECU/PCM "flash" Info/questions
 

Well, although I was experiencing no CEL's or flooding issues, I decided to request the latest and greatest update available. My car was built 09/03, and already came with the flash that fixed most of the CEL's. The service writer listened to me, as I explained that I loved the car and wasn't going to come in here claiming some lie that my car flooded (but...that I miraculously got it restarted), or that I get an occasional CEL flashing. I was blunt, and explained what I'd read from a previous thread, " That I felt spending nearly 30K for a car should entitle me to the upgrades that are available, even if I didn't show the symptoms needed to validate them :-) I offered to even pay for it, within reason, and explained the benefits I'd heard of after having the "L" or later reflash. He understood, and wrote "Seeing oil pressure indicator light" on the work order, and it was handled. So, all of you out there, please don't embarass yourself by claiming a CEL when they go pull the codes, they'll know you are lying, and that's never good. As far as performance enhancement, YES!!!! The car idles smoother, and throttle response is definitely improved. The car feels to have more torque in the midrange of the RPM range. The dealer told me I was getting "M", which was just available to this dealer... get this TODAY! I'M very thankful indeed. I bought the guy a dinner gift certificate, for all his help. It paid to be honest, and that feels good.

sounds like the m flash is worth getting then I'm getting mine done tuesday im looking forward to it now.

Re: Got The "m" Reflash Today!
 

Let's be honest here!

LOL :), so if it paid for you to be honest, but then it paid for the dealer to be DIShonest (you gave him dinner, Mazda NA gave the dealership warranty work money!), honesty is the best policy?

A nice thought, but.... We need to work on Mother Mazda, Japan, so MNA can be honest and let all dealers dispense ECU upgrades without.... fibin.... and owners fibin to the dealers.

Sorry LOL again! :D Honest MAY be the best policy, but fur sure laughter is the best medicine!

"Honesty" would also include Mazda admitting that the car is making about 210 HP, and giving me another $1000 back.

(If -9 HP = $500, and Miata owners got $1500 for a similar issue, it doesn't sound so unreasonable)

Speaking of "honesty" and HP, I was talking to my service guy today after my reflash and told him that I didn't think that the car was making 238 to the crank. He said "honestly, it's putting out about 220." Then I told him that I doubted it because I had my car on the dyno last month and only got 168 which would equivilate to a little over 200hp to the crank.

... and I thought I read "honesty" in this post.

Yay for honesty! :D My momma always told me not to tell a fib, and that two wrongs never make a right. It simplifies your life and you always know that if you wind up getting the stinky end of the stick, it wasn't maybe because you lied. ;)

Mine's goin in like yours did - routine pit stop + both recalls + the fog lights don't turn on for some reason + probably will get the reflash. I'm gonna specify "M", thanks.

When I called-in yesterday, the guy was like, don't bother me with the whys, just tell me what you want us to do. I hope it goes that way tomorrow. If cornered at that time, I'm gonna complain about low mpg + a few hestitent starts that had me wondering how close it was to flooding. That oughtta do it. :)

I hope canzoomers latest stage 1 is good with this new "M" flash. My stage 1 is about to ship, so it'll have the newest program that's been tweeked for the "L" flash... Canzoomer said he was gonna get the "M" flash himself.

Hey CZ - wuddup wit da "M" flash - I'ze gotts ta know rat nayow!

Dealership just told me they did the flash...can't wait but I will have to do the check also! "M" here I come!

M is great. You can tell the difference the second you drive it. I can shift better and then engine even sounds smoother. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't put you back in your seat like it used to above 5k RPM. More of a gradual pressure than a jerk...I'll get used to it. So far gas looks better also but time will tell.

Reid

M-flash bulletin upated!
 

Here's some text from the M-flash bulletin. It was updated yesterday!!

It is important to update the PCM to at least “M” calibration if the vehicle’s PCM currently contains an earlier version.
The “M” calibration contains software logic to prevent possible no start concerns. Because of this revision,
all vehicles with previous calibrations should be updated to at least the “M” calibration level. This includes vehicles
coming to the dealer for repairs unrelated to the no start concern, or normal scheduled maintenance.

Yeah, that's great news! I just mentioned this in the sticky thread up top. Here's the link for those interested in reading the new bulletin.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...1-04-1273d.pdf

I just got my PCM reflashed last week. Is there a way to tell if I got the M flash? I definitely have the L flash since I did the brake pump test (20 in 8 secs) and saw the oil gauge sweep.

My mechanic didn't seem to know what version he flashed. He just flashes it and said it was too complex to explain. He threw out some numbers instead of a letter for the revision.

Have them check. If you don't have the "M" they have to reflash again according to the TSB.

ya see that just shows mazda is watching. all of the concern on here about flooding, all the talk about L flash and how some dealers (including mine) wouldn't give it, some of us saying we would maybe jsut flood it on purpose if it had to have a problem to get the flash- result now everyone gets updated to at least M.

sometimes they do listen!

I just called my dealer. He literally told me that I should say that it cranks but won't start and they'd do the flash.

I called my dealer....they made an appt for me without any fuss...I get the flash on Friday morning. I hope I have this much luck with the service dept throughout my ownership!!

Okay guys... i went to the dealer yesterday and got my flash....

Im in Canada so im not sure if they had the M yet... i probably got the L..

but anyhow i tried the 20 brake pedal test and nothing happened?

Am i doing anything wrong?


But anyhow the flash is a MUST GET for sure!.... WOW what a difference!

Why do dealers suq so much?
 

So... my car was going into the shop tonight so they could do the protectant for the paint and interior tomorrow. Also I had a chewed up rim when I bought it so they are going to replace that tomorrow.

With the revolution of the M code being mandatory I asked them to throw it on the car. Their response? No.

"Sir, we don't just reflash ECMs"

Really.... Interesting.... So I pull out my printed out TSB and show him exactly where it says, "Because of this revision, all vehicles with the previous calibrations should be update to at least the "M" calibration level. This includes vehicles coming to the dealer for repairs unrelated to the no start concern, or normal scheduled maintenance."

Now.... I am not english major but that seems pretty obvious to me. So being the smart-alek that I am I said, "One of my vents is squeeky, please fix it. I guess that means you can flash my ECM now."

Dude... with paper in hand why even bother giving me any sort of push back? Especially since I caught this dealership NOT checking my car before selling it to me and letting me take it home with a quart of oil missing.

Ugh...

Re: Why do dealers suq so much?
 

Well... pity you got suckered into this bogus service... this just makes the dealer get more of your money. I wonder how much did they charge you for these?

All I can say is "Hooray!". I'd probably get it flashed on my next oil change, which is quite a while from now. Now, I've heard positive results from the 'M' version, but would those who already have the 'L' version see a big difference? Another interesting point to ponder about is that with the better gas mileage and better lower/midrange response, did Mazda actually lowered the PEAK horsepower of the car?

which is beside the point of the thread. but... I'll be printing and heading to the dealership soon - well, okay, I guess I may as well call first even though they are quite near the office. BTW-my dealer tried (the finance guy anyway) hard to sell me the extended warranty since "...my exotic sports car would definitely be needing it..."[not verbatim]... I'm sure some got 'suckered' into it - but - it's not my money - and some that did will likely get their money's worth. Though I will say the 'protectant'/'sealer' stuff is mostly a profit item for dealers more than a help to the car.

Yea, it kinda makes you wonder if they had it tuned to 250hp and had to take it down a little for safety or long term wear issues.

Re: Re: Why do dealers suq so much?
 

You know what... if it is a sucker that is fine... Mazda only warranties corrosion on the car and not any other natural effects such as fading or tree sap. Since the car I traded in for this car had paint peeling off of it I am all for the protectant. It may not actually protect anything but it does come with a five year unlimited mile warranty and they have to deal with it if anything happens to the paint.

The usual trouble with such protectant application offers is that yes, it has a 5-years warranty, but they make it sure it has disclaimers. Those disclaimers likely give them many ways to reject claims. I hope you did check the fine print very thoroughly...

Got it covered... I grilled the heck out of them and read every scrap of paper about it. These are basically options offered by the dealer and not Mazda. My brother got it on one of his cars and it turned out to be a good thing. I live on on an acre of land and have a ton of trees... Tree sap is my biggest worry and according to their paperwork it is covered.