what i found out is that the new tsb which was released on Dec. 21that showed several different PCM files has now been rescinded due to programming concerns. so the TSB is history,void gone.

 

A TSB in effect for one day - is that a record?

 

possibly now i said in other threads id take a look at the tsb and comment on the flash levels indicated which show different flashes for cali fromt he rest. here is my take on it originally posted in a different thread-

 

Hmm... I don't see where it says it's being rescinded in the bulletin. I'm looking at this one:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com.../01-046-04.htm

 

ok just got my paper work in the mail from 12/14. it says cause recall. correction 99 99 n3h418-18-881-A/T falashed pcm. Like i said i just took it in for oil change and the tech came out to get a soda and told me he had updated my car to the new pcm flash { i already had the M}. I said is this n flash and he said no just a update to m. i said its not the new flash that was causeing problems and was pulled he said no its not. it is to give more power at lower rpm. I did not ask for it but i am glad i got it. It stays in 1 and 2 longer than before and 3rd feels like a bullet ( 3rd holds for a lot longer time than before}. Mine is the automatic . When slowing down the gears are dropping faster than before. as you guys now before my auto would have to almost be at a complete stop before it droped from 2 to 0. Thats all i can tell ya. i have put 1000 miles on it since the 14 and i [IMO] can tell a big diffrence .

 

Yes, I was about to ask if the updated M flash changes the air/fuel ratio or if it merely keeps you in gear longer before shifting in the auto. I'm hoping that revving the engine higher isn't Mazda's solution to the 'lack of power' problem.

 

that's because rosenthal hasnt updated the site yet. im faster

 

Zoom44 can you tell buy the numbers i gave off my invoice what i got?? thanks.
9999 N3H418-18-881

 

from the number posted if i remember correct that looks like the original M for automatics. ill check myself though

 

The invoice will generally read the bacic PCM part number as that is one of the inputs to the warranty dept.

If you start changing the suffix (believe it or not) the system will kick it out as a bad part#

 

yep thats the part number for the original "H/M" flash for automatics. the newest flash part numbers and file names for 2004 RX-8s have a "Z" instead of the "H". an a "1" for autos instead of "4" and a "2" for 6mt instead of "6".so if they had flashed you with the most current file (it's actually the same as what you have just new nomenclature) the part number on your paper work should be N3Z1-18-881 and the file name would be SW-N3Z1EM000. the letter after the "E" being the flash level in the previous and current file names.

bottom line= same old M

 

oh and why am i not surprised to see that a dealer has not updated their wds?

 

You gotta know the territory..

Edit..keeping the WDS up to date can be a frustrating issue..basic updates send you scrambling back and forth to the desktop to get all the files needed..Major upgrades take hours...with prompts in strange intervals.. so walking away is not an option..
When the machine crashes you need to "re-ghost"...forget about it..3 different cd's get you back to the .0 level and with the CAN files getting bigger you need to take the updates one at a time..I.E.

Load the Application CD (2 hours)
Load the calibration CD (2 hours)
Load the latest major update.( which is really just an index of files)

So now you set at (34.0)...Today we are at 34.9 P3

Go back and load 9 floppies with the 9 minors.

Load 3 floppies with the patches.

Cool..we are at 34.9 P3.

But all you really have now is the WDS knowing what is available...

Customer in a RX-8 HP comes in and you check the car for updates, WDS tells Snap-on there is one available, Back to the desktop. load it in, flash the car.

This senario can be repeated for every flash (update) on every car that comes in the door. The files are different for every model..and every drivetrain..

BTW the 03 Mazda6 is on the "R" level...

I go in every Sunday after a Major update to check every model on the lot to make sure all the files are in the machine..


This may be my longest post ever. lol

 

What is WDS?

 

Worldwide Diagnostic System - the application Mazda mechanics/engineers use to access diagnostic information from the car's electronics systems and also to reflash your car's powertrain control module (PCM) - the engine computer.

 

Thanks Zomm and Snapon , i guess its back to the dealer in january. Should i have this done if i am having no problems? My dealer will do it if i ask.

 

BTW - Ford dealers are on the same system and most of them are somewhat better than the Mazda dealers about keeping it together and updated (higher profit/volume dealerships).

If you can get cozy with a Ford mechanic, you can get your flashes there.

 

your welcome and if you are happy with your car then no. if you have a problem and they diagnose you need another flash then go ahead.

 

and actually all ford family brands use the WDS as it is Ford parent companies system. jag and others use it too. may be you could get your flash from a jag dealer

 

True...Ford dealers get the update files every night, and their WDS goes down all the time..

Mazda has chosen to do it manually to keep the hard drive from being corrupted by the Ford/Jag/Rover/volvo.. etc files

 

Ewww! My car would probably develop electrical problems after a visit to a Jag dealer :D.

 

hehehe :D