AvatarQAZ

Ok, I am a little bit angry now.

About a week ago, i popped a CEL. Pulled the code, 0420. Did the twice over, checked her out. No problems.

Next day, CEL pops back on. I scheduled an appt with the dealer for yesterday (11 jan) to see why I popped two CELs within hours. Pulled a 355. Dealer said nothing was wrong... that it was an 'evap leak'. Not knowing exactly what 355 was, I look it up... Ignition Coil E Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction.

Not very happy with the dealer now since they lied to me for some reason or another. But, I am going to make an appointment with them still because the CEL just popped back on today. This time though, bringing a print out of all 1700+ odb codes... demanding to be present when the code is pulled, and demanding multiple copies of a work order.

I guess besides just bitching a little bit I have to ask, why would a dealer lie to you in such a manner... especially when the codes are widely available on the internet?

aggietiff28

I had to squeeze it out of my service guy also, but he finally gave me the code. He wasn't very happy with me knowing more about the TSBs than him, nor was he happy with me bringing in copies for him to see. I think they feel a little inferior when the customer knows more about the car than they do.

I also have the same problem as you. CEL keeps coming on as soon as I take it home from the service dept. Also told that it was the evap leak.

devoid

Seroiusly, maybe they referanced the wrong CEL...there are a whole lot of potential reasons. they may have miswrote the CEL number...they may have looked up the CEL number somewhere (ie their computer) and it spit out the wrong definition. They may have mismatched the CEL to the definition. There are a number of resons...it may not have been deliberate. Or...it may have been. The point being, don't jump down their throat...if this is the first time...however, if this is not the first time they've lied...than maybe there is an issue you need to take up with them.

AvatarQAZ

Devoid, I did initially think they may have made a mistake... certainly they would not be silly enough to tell me a code that is widely available.

But, this will only be my 3rd dealing with them. So the amount of material I have to base a claim off of is not sufficient. You are right, I should not jump down their throat. But after 3 successive CEL's, I am going to ask very convincingly to be present when they pull the code . I dont like it when my baby pops lights when daddy knows how to fix it... but is forced to take it to a dealer because of a lack of odb/canscan module

zoom44

where did you look up the codes? have a look at the list here

P0420 = Catalyst system efficiency below threshold ON 2 Catalyst
thats an O2 sensor saying there is something wrong with your cat. it could very well have been a temporary thing. it can also be caused by a software glitch. normal procedurre for this code it to reset- reflash and see if it comes back. but there is not a flash to be had that will fix it if it is a software glitch. How did you get rid of this CEL?

your next CEL is 355 which is not in the RX8 list i posted. but there are 2 that it could be

1) P0335 Eccentric shaft position sensor circuit problem ON 1 CCM
which could mean you just have to do the 20 brake stomp thing to reset the profile or that you have a bad/dirty E shaft sensor or wiring.

2) P0455 EVAP system leak detected (large leak) ON 2 EVAP system
which is what he said it was and probably means that someone didnt tighten the gas cap all the way. if you had bought your car from the first boat or 2 and had never had a flash then it could be a software glitch but the K flash took care of that and i cant think of anyway that your car would be that far behind.

the thing to keep in mind here is that once a CEL pops if the pcm does not see the problem recur after a certain amount of drive cycles the CEL will go away. A cel doesnt mean go to the dealer now we have a problem. it means that the pcm detected something that MIGHT be a problem and get it checked out when you can. 9 times out of 10 the service people wont find anything wrong because there really isnt anything wrong. if the cel FlASHES that means get it to service immediately.

Haze

Hey that's intersting Zoom. I never latched onto the fact that if the CEL is flashing that the problem is more serious than if the CEL is hard on. Thanks for the tid-bit. (I guess that I should give the owner's manual another read).

Go48

You have to guess that the vast majority of customers that service people see on a daily basis don't have a clue about the mechanics of their vehicles, let alone something as esoteric as the DTC codes. Sure, most of the people on this forum are aware of these code and can easily find out what they mean, but most RX-8 owners are not on this forum. So you can see how some incompetent or ignorant service person might get in the habit of putting forth BS knowing full well that most customers will believe him/her and will just go away-next customer please.

Which raises an interesting question. How many are registered for this forum versus the total number of R-X-8's sold to the present day? I would bet that the number of owners/lurkers on this forum equate to no more than 2% of the total owners of RX-8's.

AvatarQAZ

That would be an interesting figure to determine.

My car 'supposedly' has the M flash... at least, according to the sticker under the hood. And I am aware of the drive cycles as well as the light.

I am merely frustrated. I know it is more than likely something trivial. But I was displeased with the fact that I could not see the work order, could not see the code pulled, or anything. I will say my dealer has been more than cooperative in dealing with me. The first CEL pop, I just merely swung by the dealer on the way home and had them reset it. Second one appt, third one... aggravation.

Basically, I am an extremely **** person that wants everything to be perfect when it comes to physical objects that I am able to manipulate. Seeing that god awful amber light just makes me want to curl into the fetal position and suck my thumb.

army_rx8

ahh good ole evap codes..i had a zillion of them (no flashing thank goodness..but i guess the evap going to crap isn't that major for the engine?). The dealer never said anythign was wrong with my car either...until i went in and they had to replace a hose in my evap sys. after which they found out that pretty much the whoel system went bad .. so five days later i hade a brand new evap system. I tahnk the dealer fo rbeing a lill' off teh mark when it came to finding the problem....they kept telling em to screw on teh gas cap tighter...i mean come on tell me once shame on me...tell my 10 times shame on you. LOL.

hope this doesn't ahppen to you...nothgn major just an inconveinance...i had to drive a lincoln town car (signature series) for 5 days...talk about a boat.:D


okay my rant is now complete:p

AvatarQAZ

Oh dear god!!!! I had to drive a tribute for 3 hours while they checked over my car.

I tried to get them to let me use the SL500 (it is a Mazda/Mercedes Dealer), but they didnt sound as enthused as I about that idea.

I hope I dont have to go through any major repair on the car. Knowing my luck, it will be a completely different code. I wonder who has gotten the most diverse codes in this forum...