davefzr

I dont know how you keep all this straight..

Thankx for relaying all this good information to us.

zoom44

its either a gift or a curse....

zoom44

i would tend to believe the sticker since they had to take the time to do it. if you have had nothign since then you are on the original H-EM flash. i wouldnt worry about getting anything newer until you had a problem described in a future TSB. im not.

RX4+30Years=RX8

I have read what you said about the file names and thank you for that explaqnation. That means that I had "M" from back in May and they just reflashed with Z-EM yesterday from WDS 34.9 which they thought was the latest WDS, in an effort to cure my mileage woes.

That was the reason they did the "M" flash back in May, to fix my mileage. Funny thing is I was getting 13-14mpg before the "M" flash and after it went up to 17-19 during learning mode. Then over the course of 4 months it dropped down to 10-12. Then after another 3 months it dropped as low as 9-10. Now I get the Z-EM flash and mileage and overall performance seem to be better right off the bat on the first 1/4 tank I have used. Part throttle response is definitly better.

So what will happen now over the next 3 months? Why does it appear that it runs better when it is in learning mode right after a reflash or battery disconnect as it did when they reset my P0456 CEL?

I will definitly keep a close eye on the mileage again.

davefzr

I am getting a P0100 but it's not listed on the TSB.. Maybe I should try getting the new flash... Thankx for the info.

RX4+30Years=RX8

The pesimist in me wants to agree but the optimist in me wants to say who cares as long as it will pass a gas station.

RX4+30Years=RX8

Thank you I got both. Did you see my question about mileage being higher when the car in is mearning mode in the other thread? That is something I am concerned about since it would actually point to something else being the root cause for my poor mileage. Maybe the current on the MAF or O2 sensor is different during learn mode on my car and one or both the sensors or the ECU or wiring harness needs R&R.

Is there any way to determine how long learn mode is actually in operation?

I also read somewhere that not all MAF sensors used in the 8 are accurate or may just barely be within operational specs. Is there a way the MAF can be checked independently of the ECU?

jgv999

Well I got my car back on Jan 4. The dealer service order says "Incorrect PCM Software. Remove PCM Send to Mazda for Reprograming, Reingstall 6X 9J (PCM PNMC)"

Yesterday, the car seemed OK, no check engine lights or anything...but then again the last flash took a couple of days before problems showed up. Then today I start the car tonight (ambient temp 20F) and it starts quick revs up to about 2200 RPM sits there for 30 sec and then drops down to 1000RPM. After about a minute of idling, the RPM drops down to about 750RPM. The whole car starts shaking, the steering wheel starts vibrating violently, and after about 10 seconds of this, I think I need to get the revs back up a bit. I barely tap the throttle and the car just stalls. When I start the car back up it starts up instantly revs to about 2000, drops to 1000 and is fine.

This is about the same problem I was having the right after I got the car flashed originally a couple weeks ago, but before it the engine would stutter, then stall under a light load. This time I was just waiting for the car to warm up, so it was sitting in neutral.

I guess it is time for another call to the dealer.

jgv999

zoom44

let it learn a little before you jump on them. it could be the new ecu needs a couple of start cycles to really settle in. see if it clears up over the next day or 2

jgv999

Thanks for the advice, I will give it a bit of time, and see what happens over the weekend. I just filled up the gas (after this occured), so if it was "bad gas", it shouldn't happen again.

jgv999

blaster

had cel problem in december. dealer replaced pcm and reflashed, not sure which version. one week later no start! dealer relaced all spark plugs with updated parts. Anybody else need a new computer or plugs yet? only have 6700 miles on my titanium 04 6sp.

LiL BenNy

does it cost money to get ecu upgrades? no right,...

ttt

they did not want to do the m flash because they was scared if it messed up the E manage. That what they said.the dealer

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

I did read through this thread, but didn't really find the answers to my elementary questions....

I know the ECU is the computer that controls fuel input and the engine to some extent. I know a "flash" is an update to the firmware code in that computer. How does that relate to my 8??

How do I find out what version of ECU software my car has (do you need to go to the dealer?) , and is there any reason to request a flash to the newest one, other than the fuel consumption issues described here? I just got a used '04 and have no idea what it 'started' with. How does this alter performance or anything else?

zoom44

you should be at least on M flash. if your car is on an earlier flash it needs to be updated. aske them to check your car for available updates. Mazda wants all 2004 cars brought to at least M so if yours is not they shouldnt give you any problem over it. there is no tsb for the P flash so it doesnt addres any particular concerns THAT WE KNOW ABOUT RIGHT NOW.