I have a 2004 rx8 gt
I went to my fathers friend to get my yearly inspection.
He began the typical nystate inspection exam.
However he connected some wires with some device he had (I'm still rx8 noob 8) lol)just told me I would automatically fail because my computer is unresponsive.
However my car seems to be running fine other than vibration at idle (motor mounts?)
and the typical coolant light I should definitely disconnect.
he was a chinese guy (very vague) and just gave me a month extension without charge.
I'm assuming its my pcm chip.
any other ideas what it could be?
i searched forums but so far...nothing.
anything at this point would be good
and if it is a pcm, do i need a new one or just a update?
can i get that done at a local shop/anywhere in nyc area?
other than dealers because mazda dealerships near me are far and requires a good week of reservation in advance. I'd rather get this done with asap.

 

oh and everything stock

 

If the car is running, the computer is working.
Is this a state run testing facility or is he a independent garage, certified for testing?
Many times a tester can't communicate due to a bad connection.
Explain about this "pcm chip".

 

He's an independent garage inspection certified.
You think the connection is just bad then? possibly his part?
LOL i mentioned pcm chip because thats the only issue that i thought would relate to me.
i was talking about the"PCM (Powertrain Control Module) Flash"
i took this car over from my brother in law and he doesnt know if he got any of the updates since 2004.

 

he said the computer isn't responding well with the car.

 

I'd try a different inspection station.

 

He would hookup to the ODB II connection below the steering column. The standard ODB II testers won't work. It needs to be CAN Bus compliant.
But, he's a professional. He should know that.

 

call a mazda dealer and tell them your vin to make sure you have the most up to date flash. msp16 i think. maby thats what he means?

 

should and does al. pretty much guaranteed he wasnt using a proper can certified device

 

I am having the exact same problem (getting my car inspected in Texas) from the unresponsive computer to the slightly rough idle. I happened to run into somebody who worked at the Mazda dealership here in Clear Lake. He said that the pcm was designed in the '04 gt so that after 40,000 miles only Mazda could check it. He said that there was so much negative feedback from customers that they changed them out for free.

I took it to the Mazda dealership and had them look at it. Their computer hooked up fine, when the state machine at the other shop, the machine at Autozone, and at O'Reily's wouldn't. Everyone else said that there wasn't even power going to it.
Anyways the guy in the service department really wasn't very helpful, so I may go up there to talk to a tech or someone in management tomorrow.

Either way my, baby failed inspection... They said there was a vacuum leak somewhere. So that's what I will be doing later this week. I don't know if they are gonna do anything about the problem with the pcm or if I will have to continue to take it to the dealership every year from now on.

Let me know what y'all think! Thanks.

 

Well, the dealership updated the PCM and all is well now. I hope this may help you with your issues.

 

Thanks a lot everyone!!
I called two dealerships and they have no idea what I am talking about.
They said they'll give me a call back and never do -.- looks like I'm going to have to pay them a visit.
Anyways updating the PCM, about how much would it cost me?

 

I had to pay $118 for the visit and to have them look at it. The PCM update was free.

 

you in NYC ?

don't tell me u tried to call Koppell or Manhattan or Guriffe(whatever the name is), they are ALL morons they can barely do oil changes right.

which dealership u spoke to?

if u never had the MSP16 flash (or the even older 4206f flash) then it will be free.

even the MSP16 flash is old now, I think there are another 2-3 version came out after that.

nuts? the update is FREE. Why would you even pay them 118 for the "visit". If I were u I will go bitch at the dealership to get the money back, if it's by card, charge it back.

hell yea it's free, it takes less than 20 minutes to re-flash the PCM. and they're getting paid by Mazda AND you. LOL

 

Lol yea exactly those two.
Ah man genius!!! Hopefully I can get it all done in a day too.
Giuffre and koepell are the worst.