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New AC Fix at dealers?

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Old 07-20-2005, 09:33 PM
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please explain how you know this?
Old 07-20-2005, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by RX-GR8
please explain how you know this?
If you're talking to me then carefully read this statement:

Originally Posted by repair guide
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.
It's just telling the tech how to reprogram the amp to default to recirc mode which they always do when they replace the AMP per the TSB.
Old 07-21-2005, 09:19 AM
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got it thanks.
Old 07-21-2005, 09:33 AM
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This "reprogramming" works great for me. At first I didn't notice any difference but I realized the "Mode" I was using was "Face" & "Feet" like I normally use. With an outside temp of 93, I changed the mode to just "Face" and the AC automatically changed to recirculation, the lower vents turned off and very cold air came out of the upper vents. A fan speed of 2 was blowing tons of cold air into my face. This was much better AC than I ever had in the 8.
Old 07-21-2005, 10:28 AM
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i have it set to face. the air is freezing for a few seconds but cycles to not so cold every few seconds. but when i tried to program the amp the rear window defroster light didn't flash 3 times so that leads me to believe i never got the new amp.
Old 07-21-2005, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by RX-GR8
i have it set to face. the air is freezing for a few seconds but cycles to not so cold every few seconds. but when i tried to program the amp the rear window defroster light didn't flash 3 times so that leads me to believe i never got the new amp.
RX when you set your a/c to face and full blast does it switch to recycle air? Turn your car off, then on, and then try it. If it does, then the reason you're not getting the 3 blinks is because your amp is already programmed. I have a feeling most people will already have this fix.

Once again, this is NOT the miracle fix sideways seems to have gotten.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by cleoent
RX when you set your a/c to face and full blast does it switch to recycle air? Turn your car off, then on, and then try it. If it does, then the reason you're not getting the 3 blinks is because your amp is already programmed. I have a feeling most people will already have this fix.

Once again, this is NOT the miracle fix sideways seems to have gotten.
ok i thought it could be reprogrammed over and over again. when i have face on and full blast it does switch to recycle air.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by RX-GR8
ok i thought it could be reprogrammed over and over again. when i have face on and full blast it does switch to recycle air.
ur welcome :D
Old 07-21-2005, 01:22 PM
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it may need to be re-programmedafter a battery disconnect. if this is not what was doen for sideways then they did not do anything. this is the only programmable feature of the AC amp that i can find. unless you have other info to share cleoent?
Old 07-21-2005, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
it may need to be re-programmedafter a battery disconnect. if this is not what was doen for sideways then they did not do anything. this is the only programmable feature of the AC amp that i can find. unless you have other info to share cleoent?
If/when you un-plug the battery you'll be able to redo it. It says so in that guide.

I dont have any more info. I'm just going off what I read in that post. This is the original fix to have the system change to recirc when the a/c is on. This fix has been around for a while.

What they did to sideways a/c is something completely new.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by sideways original post
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.
See we're talking about two different kinds of programming. The instructions listed on this thread are to make the a/c set itself to recycled air, the sideways new "miracle" fix does not do that...
Old 07-21-2005, 01:30 PM
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then he has the wrong AMP
Old 07-21-2005, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
then he has the wrong AMP
or it's the new fix.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:46 PM
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the battery was disconnected last time i had it in because all the radio presets were lost. so they must have reprogrammed it which i doubt because they aren't very good.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by RX-GR8
the battery was disconnected last time i had it in because all the radio presets were lost. so they must have reprogrammed it which i doubt because they aren't very good.
didn't you say it turns to recycle when you turn on the a/c? That's proof that it was programmed.
Old 07-21-2005, 01:50 PM
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yep thanks. :D
Old 07-21-2005, 01:59 PM
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I live in the Desert, Imperial Valley, next to the Mexico Border. Temps this week 117, 119,121,109,112....get my drift. Glad to hear all tips regarding AC. Keep them coming be sure they will be put the maximum test....IV Zoom
Old 07-21-2005, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by cleoent
If/when you un-plug the battery you'll be able to redo it. It says so in that guide.

I dont have any more info. I'm just going off what I read in that post. This is the original fix to have the system change to recirc when the a/c is on. This fix has been around for a while.
My vehicle fell outside of the TSB because I supposedly had the updated AMP as OEM equipment. I tried the procedure and got the blinking light. I'm sure there are plenty of cars out there in this situation where either the amp wasn't programmed or lost its programming. I did replace the battery, but the AC never defaulted to recirc before, nor does it now unless the indicator is just not lighting. Strange. It sure seems colder now and I can't believe it's all due to insulating that pipe.

Plus, it raises a couple of odd questions. First, how are customers supposed to know about this little trick, even if they had the update but then subsequently remove the battery connections for some reason? Why would Mazda set themselves up for so many complaints when peoples' AC suddenly reduces effectiveness due to loss of a temporary program? Even stranger -- if the recirc is Mazda's desired default why design the amp to need this extra step to begin with?

Ah well, hopefully Sideways will get some answers from the dealer to shed more light on this.
Old 07-21-2005, 02:26 PM
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Well, I got it to blink 3 times (thanks to NUBO's post #21)
I was pushing the incorrect buttons also!
I hope it makes my AC "nippy"
Old 07-21-2005, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Nubo
My vehicle fell outside of the TSB because I supposedly had the updated AMP as OEM equipment. I tried the procedure and got the blinking light. I'm sure there are plenty of cars out there in this situation where either the amp wasn't programmed or lost its programming. I did replace the battery, but the AC never defaulted to recirc before, nor does it now unless the indicator is just not lighting. Strange. It sure seems colder now and I can't believe it's all due to insulating that pipe.

Plus, it raises a couple of odd questions. First, how are customers supposed to know about this little trick, even if they had the update but then subsequently remove the battery connections for some reason? Why would Mazda set themselves up for so many complaints when peoples' AC suddenly reduces effectiveness due to loss of a temporary program? Even stranger -- if the recirc is Mazda's desired default why design the amp to need this extra step to begin with?

Ah well, hopefully Sideways will get some answers from the dealer to shed more light on this.
How do you know how the amp is programmed? It could definitely be using a form of memory that retains it's programming when there's no power.
Old 07-21-2005, 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
then he has the wrong AMP
I have the old AMP still. I took my car in to get the new AMP installed. They told me when I picked it up they had some new program they wanted to try on my car instead of replacing the entire AMP. According to my invoice it just says "reprogrammed as per Mazda" as I stated before. The service writer and tech that actually worked on my car said they hadnt seen this program and Mazda wanted dealers to try this instead of replacing the entire AMP. I did see see the handwritten notes on my paperwork and it showed a 6 degree cooler temp.

This is what I know on my car, not to deter or downplay anyone else on this board -

1) Its MUCH colder than when I brought it in. Before it would cycle warm to cool constantly when idling and be marginally OK when driving at freeway speeds. Now at speed I have to turn it down and when idling it doesnt seem to cycle near as much and when it does its not anywhere close to as noticable.

2) With this program trick that was posted or the new AMP its supposed to default into recirc when max cold, max fan speed - correct? Mine still does not do that. I couldnt tell you if the air does switch over to recirc or not due to the fan noise but the recirc light does not turn on.

The only thing that matters to me is that it seems to be fixed. I am more than happy to talk to the tech/writer again next month when I get to take my car back for the recall(s). They seemed friendly enough so hopefully I can get more insight into this.

This is my 3rd rotary (TurboII, FD now RX8) and so far it really doesnt seem any more "quirky" or problematic then my other two... I would rather have the dealer tweak my cars programming every once in a while vs. replacing apex seals or try and trace a million vac lines for that mystery leak causing havoc!
Old 07-21-2005, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by khtm
How do you know how the amp is programmed? It could definitely be using a form of memory that retains it's programming when there's no power.
Just going by what was posted with the repgrogam instructions

NOTE: If vehicle's battery dies or cables are removed, the programming will not be retained and must be performed again.
Old 07-21-2005, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Slideways
I have the old AMP still. I took my car in to get the new AMP installed. They told me when I picked it up they had some new program they wanted to try on my car instead of replacing the entire AMP. According to my invoice it just says "reprogrammed as per Mazda" as I stated before. The service writer and tech that actually worked on my car said they hadnt seen this program and Mazda wanted dealers to try this instead of replacing the entire AMP. I did see see the handwritten notes on my paperwork and it showed a 6 degree cooler temp.

This is what I know on my car, not to deter or downplay anyone else on this board -

1) Its MUCH colder than when I brought it in. Before it would cycle warm to cool constantly when idling and be marginally OK when driving at freeway speeds. Now at speed I have to turn it down and when idling it doesnt seem to cycle near as much and when it does its not anywhere close to as noticable.

2) With this program trick that was posted or the new AMP its supposed to default into recirc when max cold, max fan speed - correct? Mine still does not do that. I couldnt tell you if the air does switch over to recirc or not due to the fan noise but the recirc light does not turn on.

The only thing that matters to me is that it seems to be fixed. I am more than happy to talk to the tech/writer again next month when I get to take my car back for the recall(s). They seemed friendly enough so hopefully I can get more insight into this.

This is my 3rd rotary (TurboII, FD now RX8) and so far it really doesnt seem any more "quirky" or problematic then my other two... I would rather have the dealer tweak my cars programming every once in a while vs. replacing apex seals or try and trace a million vac lines for that mystery leak causing havoc!
Slideways, any chance you can call the dealer and find out more info for us sooner then next month? I'd love to call my dealer and ask about this, a TSB or some kind of reference number would be awesome. They had my car for 6.5 days and my a/c stilll sucks.
Old 07-21-2005, 05:29 PM
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Sure, it cant hurt and I would like to know personally as well. I have the techs name on the back of the service writers biz card so I can even try and ask for him. I may just stop by and ask as well. They had a used Miata for sale in the showroom with a HardDog bar and FMII turbo kit on it I want to ask about. Could make a great SM2 Autocrosser...
Old 07-21-2005, 05:34 PM
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cool!


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