New AC Fix at dealers?
07-19-2005, 12:08 PM
#1
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New AC Fix at dealers?
Hello all, long time lurker and recent poster. I have a 04 6spd with 10K miles that I just took into the dealer for some issues and maintenance. I wanted to get the newest flash and was told to wait until the whole recall issue gets organized as there was a new flash with it. I also wanted my AC looked at again as it was flucuating a lot and never was "cold". Before I left my old state (OH) it wasnt as big an issue as the summer down here in SC. The dealer (John Finger Mazda in Greenville- very nice and helpful so far) said no problem they would replace the AMP and if that didnt work, bring it back for the evap replacement. Well, when I went in to pick it up they said they had a new fix for the problem they just found yesterday. Seems they reprogrammed the AC amp instead of replacing the whole unit. I wasnt aware it was able to be programmed. They did a temp test and it dropped it 6 degrees at idle! I will also say that on the way home and this morning its blowing very cold and for the first time ever I had to turn it down. It does not do the auto recirc when its at max cold and high fan, but I set it to recirc any ways. I just wanted to see if it did that since I thought the new AMP was supposed to.
Just wanted to let you know that they have a new way of trying to deal with the AC. The service writer did say I was the first to get this so if it didnt work, they would still replace the AMP and/or evap if needed. I am also going to go ahead and insulate the hard line in the engine bay from the DIY section just as an extra boost.
Also, while there I saw 3 RX8's up on lifts and several parked outside with customer tags... lots of work on 8's considering the recall isnt released yet.
Just wanted to let you know that they have a new way of trying to deal with the AC. The service writer did say I was the first to get this so if it didnt work, they would still replace the AMP and/or evap if needed. I am also going to go ahead and insulate the hard line in the engine bay from the DIY section just as an extra boost.
Also, while there I saw 3 RX8's up on lifts and several parked outside with customer tags... lots of work on 8's considering the recall isnt released yet.
07-19-2005, 12:44 PM
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Glitchy Rotary Madness
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Would you be able to get us a document number (TSB, Tech Tip, whatever) for this new fix?)
It'd go a looong way to help those with sick AC units. Dealers as nice as yours are a minority.
Mine's an '05 (build 11/04) and not subject to the early AC TSB.
Mine passes (just barely) the tech manual test.
Hot day, idling in traffic or stopped, it gets warmish. Dealer just shrugged his shoulders.
As long as the car's moving, and the engine turning above idle, all is good.
Is this how yours behaves after-the-software-fix? Or is it making icecubes regardless of having the car moving or not?
It'd go a looong way to help those with sick AC units. Dealers as nice as yours are a minority.
Mine's an '05 (build 11/04) and not subject to the early AC TSB.
Mine passes (just barely) the tech manual test.
Hot day, idling in traffic or stopped, it gets warmish. Dealer just shrugged his shoulders.
As long as the car's moving, and the engine turning above idle, all is good.
Is this how yours behaves after-the-software-fix? Or is it making icecubes regardless of having the car moving or not?
07-19-2005, 01:17 PM
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I wanted all the paperwork, but they only gave me the basic printout that states " REPROGRAMMED AC AMP PER MAZDA". They had a paragraph of writing on the original write up that went into depth and had the temp readings. When I go in for the recall I am going ask again for a copy of that.
It blows ice cubes regardless now. Before it would be warm/cool/warm cycling during idle and decent at speed. Now its just plain cold all the time. Yesterday the news said it was 102 degrees with humidity (read 96 on my temp gauge) and it was very cold sitting in traffic idling which was a HUGE change from before.
It blows ice cubes regardless now. Before it would be warm/cool/warm cycling during idle and decent at speed. Now its just plain cold all the time. Yesterday the news said it was 102 degrees with humidity (read 96 on my temp gauge) and it was very cold sitting in traffic idling which was a HUGE change from before.
07-19-2005, 02:42 PM
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I have the new A/C amp also. Mine is the same...cycles between freezing and merely cool, although I have been driving a Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 for the past week and neither of them have an A/C that works as well as the RX8.
07-19-2005, 02:52 PM
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AC NOT COOL (AFTER 9/11/03 PRODUCTION)
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 40118171 ********
Some customers may complain of lack of AC cooling from the vents. This may be caused by the intake air selector (recirculate / fresh) in the "FRESH" mode. Cooling the interior of the vehicle may take longerif the air intake selector is in the "FRESH" mode. Maximum cooling is acheived when the intake air selector mode is in the "RECIRC" position. The AC amplifier can be programmed to automatically default to "RECIRC" mode when the following conditions are met: 1. Ambient air temperature is 68 deg. F or higher. 2. HVAC control mode is in "FACE" mode. 3. HVAC temperature is in maximum cool setting. Customers with this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the repair procedure. NOTE: Vehicles produced before 9/11/2003 are not programmable N should have the AC amp replaced per Service Bulletin # 07-002/04 1. Verify concern. 2. Verify ignition switch is in OFF position. 3. Press and hold the front defrost and air intake selector buttons simultaneously. 4. Turn the ignition key to the "ACCY" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #3.) 5. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #4.) 6. Successful programming will be confirmed by the rear defrost indicator light flashing 3 times. NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 40118171 ********
Some customers may complain of lack of AC cooling from the vents. This may be caused by the intake air selector (recirculate / fresh) in the "FRESH" mode. Cooling the interior of the vehicle may take longerif the air intake selector is in the "FRESH" mode. Maximum cooling is acheived when the intake air selector mode is in the "RECIRC" position. The AC amplifier can be programmed to automatically default to "RECIRC" mode when the following conditions are met: 1. Ambient air temperature is 68 deg. F or higher. 2. HVAC control mode is in "FACE" mode. 3. HVAC temperature is in maximum cool setting. Customers with this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the repair procedure. NOTE: Vehicles produced before 9/11/2003 are not programmable N should have the AC amp replaced per Service Bulletin # 07-002/04 1. Verify concern. 2. Verify ignition switch is in OFF position. 3. Press and hold the front defrost and air intake selector buttons simultaneously. 4. Turn the ignition key to the "ACCY" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #3.) 5. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #4.) 6. Successful programming will be confirmed by the rear defrost indicator light flashing 3 times. NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.
07-19-2005, 03:23 PM
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Well thats interesting reading. Where did you get that? I always set my intake air to recirc when the AC is running when its hot out. Will the recirc light turn on if its "defaulting" to that setting? Mine doesnt even if all those conditions are met.
It HAS to be doing something else with this or what ever else the programmed yesterday. Like I said, its always on recirc when my air is running and it was still cycling warm air in too much and when it wasnt, it was never that cold. Now its cold enough I have to turn it down every once in a while.
It HAS to be doing something else with this or what ever else the programmed yesterday. Like I said, its always on recirc when my air is running and it was still cycling warm air in too much and when it wasnt, it was never that cold. Now its cold enough I have to turn it down every once in a while.
07-19-2005, 03:33 PM
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well this test will tell me one thing. whether they replaced the amp or not. since i have a 5/03 build my old amp was not programmable. also the last time i had it in for service they had to have disonnected the power because all the radio presets were lost. did they reprogram the amp after they restored power?
07-19-2005, 03:35 PM
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Your mission is to get the reprogramming details from your dealer to see if they're the same as the one clydejmuggs presented. Either that or I'm driving to John Finger Mazda in SC to get mine fixed :D
07-19-2005, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by clydejmuggs
AC NOT COOL (AFTER 9/11/03 PRODUCTION)
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 40118171 ********
Some customers may complain of lack of AC cooling from the vents. This may be caused by the intake air selector (recirculate / fresh) in the "FRESH" mode. Cooling the interior of the vehicle may take longerif the air intake selector is in the "FRESH" mode. Maximum cooling is acheived when the intake air selector mode is in the "RECIRC" position. The AC amplifier can be programmed to automatically default to "RECIRC" mode when the following conditions are met: 1. Ambient air temperature is 68 deg. F or higher. 2. HVAC control mode is in "FACE" mode. 3. HVAC temperature is in maximum cool setting. Customers with this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the repair procedure. NOTE: Vehicles produced before 9/11/2003 are not programmable N should have the AC amp replaced per Service Bulletin # 07-002/04 1. Verify concern. 2. Verify ignition switch is in OFF position. 3. Press and hold the front defrost and air intake selector buttons simultaneously. 4. Turn the ignition key to the "ACCY" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #3.) 5. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #4.) 6. Successful programming will be confirmed by the rear defrost indicator light flashing 3 times. NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 40118171 ********
Some customers may complain of lack of AC cooling from the vents. This may be caused by the intake air selector (recirculate / fresh) in the "FRESH" mode. Cooling the interior of the vehicle may take longerif the air intake selector is in the "FRESH" mode. Maximum cooling is acheived when the intake air selector mode is in the "RECIRC" position. The AC amplifier can be programmed to automatically default to "RECIRC" mode when the following conditions are met: 1. Ambient air temperature is 68 deg. F or higher. 2. HVAC control mode is in "FACE" mode. 3. HVAC temperature is in maximum cool setting. Customers with this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the repair procedure. NOTE: Vehicles produced before 9/11/2003 are not programmable N should have the AC amp replaced per Service Bulletin # 07-002/04 1. Verify concern. 2. Verify ignition switch is in OFF position. 3. Press and hold the front defrost and air intake selector buttons simultaneously. 4. Turn the ignition key to the "ACCY" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #3.) 5. Turn the ignition key to the "ON" position for 3 seconds. (Continue to hold the buttons down from step #4.) 6. Successful programming will be confirmed by the rear defrost indicator light flashing 3 times. NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.
