jrx13

One last thing olddragger.

Whenever repairs are done on PATS/Immobilizer, your going to need a pair of keys at the minimum. That means you will probably need a pair of smart card keys and a pair of the little spare keys. Just be ready to shell out some $$$ for that. Hopefully the one card & key you have are good and you'll only have to buy one more set. However it would suck it you have to buy two pairs of each.

I think it is going to be expensive repair. Your probably looking at 1-2 hours diagnostic, maybe one card key & chip key, maybe one bad module.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! Don't you just love all this new technology in cars!?!?!?!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

oh heck yea--i am grinning from ear to ear.
I hate this crap---its a dealers dream.
You bet they are going to have to prove to me that they need what they say they need.
You know all this fancy stuff may stop a joyrider, but if someone really wants your car they are going to get it.
Most car thief's now a days are done with the key anyway.
Maybe if i take them donuts...........
Or heck--- maybe just install a motec --probably just as cheap!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Did yall know that on the advanced key car that there are TWO keyless modules?
One under the glove comparment ( all rx8's have this one) and then the other behind the passenger side footwell panel.
So my lost communication could be from either one.

08driverguy

All Rx8s are either Megamos or Hitachi key-chips with MIPS, Motorola, or one other companies ASIC in the BCM for authentication, there is a bus BCM>ECM with a control protocol for initialization. An induction antenna is around the lock that goes to BCM. OEM alarm+fobs also work off BCM computer board.

This sounds like a security lock-down or vital error with ECM. Most OBDII testers don't work with RX8 because of the ISO protocol it uses. There is a thread here that goes in debt about it, even though it died.

It's like this 01-11 all countries.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

thanks for that info. I some more to study on.
I have discovered that with the 09's a can ob2 scanner will NOT connect. I got an innova can bus scanner ( since I needed a new one anyway) plugged it in and got the same thing--the no connection message. Its an ok scanner with in depth capacity.
Glad the remote is fully functional?
I guess my biggest frustration is why the heck did this happen and why did Mazda design a system that will not allow the car to self correct with a good key??

ASH8

Ahh Series 2 RX-8's use Immobiliser made by Mazda in a Mazda joint owned company (called JCS, which is Mazda Corp, Panasonic Corp and Visteon) in China which started in 2009...Visteon.

http://www.visteon.com/index.html

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

to the dealer this week--and by the way the 8 does not have an antenna that goes around the steering column as some may believe. Its just a transponder type box thats talks to 2 other boxes on the passenger side and in turn they talk to the computer. That is the simplified explanation.
OD

jrx13

So what was the fix?

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

dealer says the computer is fried, they cant get it to communicate either--BUT when i asked them if they checked to see if power is getting to the pcm they said "No". So I brought it home and here it sets until I get my other one running. Then I will dive in my self.
I just dont believe the pcm fried on a 10K mile car with no warning -overnight? Possible--yes.
But if it did fry i need to know "why" before another one is put in.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

I hope you had the conversation with the dealer that we discussed regarding if they sought any help from Mazda tech line before taking it home.

Paul.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

I told them--but they didnt do it. The tech ( seems to be a pretty good guy) is CONVINCED the ecu is dead.
Anyway the situation has changed, our great state of Georgia is trying to screw me over.
They will not title the car unless i pay a fair market sales tax of about $1500!! They value the car at $22,500! if I did that+ get another pcm+ get another key made+ towing to the dealership I would have another $2,200 in the car. No need in throwing more good money into this project.
I have had enough and I am selling the car as is for whatever i can get. Someone is going to get one hell of a deal.

RogueTadhg

ragger, Someone didn't buy your rx8 yet?

Im surprised.

Mypashaw

OD, I've had the same issue. My car would not start but everything seemed to be fine. Out of frustration I "jiggled" the steering wheel back and forth, the car started up. This happened to me once more since and I corrected the problem by jiggling the wheel. Give it a try before you sell the car.

ASH8

Yeah, I did not think of this one, it could be the steering angle sensor, which is part of the clock spring which is the same for all series RX-8's, different for left or right hand drive though (wiper and light switches).

Worth a try Denny.

ASH8

Denny, does your R3 has a Steering Lock?..I think it does.

And can you start the car by turning a **** where a key would normally go?
Again I think it does.

Then it should/will have an "Antenna" transmitter on the Steering Lock..see pic.
ALL Mazda's have these if you can start the car on the column...
This is what communicated with Immobiliser...then Immobilizer to PCM.

It is a very small donut shaped part.

But it can get messy as the "remote" start bullshit can also come into play which I think you have?.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

yes you are right Ash--it has the credit card key. All that seems to be working ok. It is throwing that code because it cant connect with the pcm
I had the car sold but the fellow backed out of the deal this past week.
So since I had nothing to loose i took the computer apart just to see if i could see a fried area etc.
Its clean as a whistle, all pins are clean and shiny also.
This is still a mystery to me.
ob2 port still will not connect to computer .
I will be looking for a salvage pcm--i guess.
I am getting to a point where I will have a little time available to fiddle around with it.
I will try shaking the wheel--thanks.
OD

Mypashaw

Can you try putting the key in and jiggle the steering wheel? I'm so sure this will work.

ASH8

Denny..

Have you looked at the PCM Wiring Diagram disc I sent you (I am sure you probably have) under
ENGINE, PCM Inspection..

Use a Multi-Meter or the old Light screwdriver with ground wire to check to see you have juice at harness plug's.??

Test like...1B, 1Q, and relays, many of the relays are duplicated (ie more than of of the same relay)?

You might be able to isolate a "Wiring Harness" that could have a broken wire/plug/circuit.

BUT as you said the stupid thing is all was well then overnight (next day) NOTHING works, and Nothing was touched...it would be bloody frustrating!!

ASH8

I would perhaps be thinking Immobiliser CU?..

But remember OD, salvage (wreckers) you must get a PCM (ECU) which is for the R3 with the same key set up...Series 1 stuff will not work...but you knew that...sorry man, just being a *****!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

lol --you are never a ***** mate!

We think the immobilizer code is flashing because the computer is not talking to anything?
Can bus lines do have power and yes that electrical scematic has been very valuable through all this!

I am continued to be surprised as to how much Mazda rebuilt this S2 car.
Anyway, since the insides of the ecu is so dang pristine, i am going to look at sensors and harness's again--have to start somewhere!

Has it stopped raining down there yet?
Its 101F here in Ga and humidity at 70% To hot for this old man

Mypashaw

Did you jiggle the steering?

ASH8

Yes, the rain did stop, but we are now in Winter...bloody cold, thankfully my state does not get snow, usually only over in the east (Melbourne).

Yes Denny, typically Mazda they did SO many changes to the Series 2, and so much you can't see, they usually solve/fix all the customer complaints or problems they get from S1's....like too much damage to front bumper when "a driver" taps something, hence the large black plastic cover in S2's grille top/bumper.

If you think the main ECU (PCM) is OK, then yes I would definitely be checking the Immobiliser modules (CU's), trouble is testing can be difficult/costly, usually a new part needs to be plugged in, and then you have compatibility issues as any of these New ECU's or CU's have to be initialised with Mazda's (at dealer) M-MDS.
These CU's are not plug and play...it is a bastard.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

i jiggled it, cussed it and hit it---no go.
I may be on to something--stay tuned

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

well the dealership was wrong--there is no power to pin 1 ba or 1 be--there is power to the main relay.
one step at the time.
od

ASH8

Good on you Denny!...

I know you can and will find this...

Next step it says, check Battery, now obviously your main battery is fully charged and OK?, and your key remote button batteries, are they around the correct polarity + and - ??, sorry had to ask.

So therefore it could be "Main Relay" is defective (which I would go for) or a break or cut in wiring loom, which I really doubt..

Now the relay..