Automatic Shift - $800 issue !
 

Hello,
I have a 2009 RX-8 with the 6-speed automatic shift.

The issue I have is regarding the manual mode. I can decrease the speed manually but I cannot increase it.

The tiptronic paddles on the steering wheel work properly though.

I brought my car to a mazda dealer for a diagnostic, they say I have to pay $800+ for a new shifter because they have to change the whole piece !!!

I am very disappointed, what should I do ? I always drive in a manual mode, for now I use the paddle but I clearly prefered using the central shift before.

Is there any way to find a used one cheaper ?

I can say I am totally lost about it, I don't know what to do, I can't afford paying over $800 just for this small issue. I am pretty sure it is a magnetic thing that gets lose...

first, wrong section, so ask a mod to move to the S2 section (s2 : 2009-2011)

second, why isn't it covered under warranty?

And it has been moved.

On a '09? You're not still within the 3/36k bumper to bumper? What was the original in-service date of the car and your current mileage? :dunno:

Some 09's are getting up there in mileage, maybe he is past it already.

Yeah, I guess so. I just don't think like that so much because I tend to keep my cars pretty low mileage and my 2009 wasn't purchased until 03/2010 so it's still got plenty of the original warranty still left.

I saw an 09' R3 with over 90k for sale on here. That's some mileage :lol:

09 have started to fall off 3 year B2B warranty...

Anyway it sounds like the Shifter Inhibitor Switch to me, If you are using Console stick all the time to manually change or shift gears and the paddles work OK, then I think it has to be the switch on the Transmission.

The Inhibitor (TR) Switch is fixed on the Right Side of Auto Trans and held on with one bolt and one nut.
Same part used on the MX-5 6 Speed Auto.

Here is the Part Number..
SJ01-19-444 Switch Inhibitor $202.88 USD.

Almost certain this is the part, US techs call it the TR Switch or Transmission Range Switch,
Exhaust CAT has to be removed, plus a few other shield parts, the change rod/switch is adjustable (that could also be the issue).

Here is a sketch of the switch and adjustment mark and alignment.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1329213472

Thanks for your answers.
This is a used 09 RX8 I bought with 42K miles, and it has now about 45K miles.
it was working properly so far, and about 1000 miles ago it started to stop working.
I bought it with a warranty with western general, the dealer asked me for $3000 warranty, and I said no way, and he reduced it to $1000. I guess that is why this warranty does not cover it.

Thank you ASH8 for this, it may be helpful.

Here is the mazda garage report for this issue,
"Removed shift cover. Checked for switch movement, ok at this time. Checked for signal from TCM, ok at this time. Checked for ground from switch, ok at this time. With ohm meter checked switch for continuity. Found resistance high. test drove vehicle in M mode and manually bypassed up switch at shifter and found that it did shift up. Need to replace manually mode shift switches on shifter. Estimate to replace shifter assy 655.00"

Do you still think it is the Switch Inhibitor ?
The guy said the broken piece is not sold separately and they need to replace the whole thing. But I know garages like to make people pay as much as possible.

Now that you have posted some diagnostic information, why did you not post it at on your first post it helps a little more?

I cant confirm 'if' the Shifter has "manual mode shift switches inside it"...not something that is sold regularly, but it appears the Tech has done a reasonable job.

The Inhibitor Switch I originally suggested may now not be the case.
There is also a Control Module (TCM) which he has also looked at.

Go with this..

This Shifter Part assembly#...FE92-46-100B @ $385.00.
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1329259339

Thanks a lot,sorry for the missed info at the beginning.

You are right, I search for a Mazda shifter assy, and I found this one on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-RX8-RX...8/160674374714

for $68. It looks like the part on your schema.
It is a used one for 06-08, I know according to this forum that the part is unlikely compatible with the 09 one.

I went to an official Mazda dealer that asked for $665 part + $145 work = $800

I don't know if it is a good idea to search for a used shifter (the previous owner might have done bad things on it ?), but it can be cheaper. At least for now I didn't find any.

I will go ask autozone what kind of price I can get. By the way, where did you find it for $385 ?

First to me it looks like eBay is a 4 Speed Auto Shifter which will NOT fit...it sounds a bit "shady" as an 04-08 shifter is not the same, 6 speed Auto's for the US came out for 2008MY, or from October 1, 2007 Production....so I would tread carefully on that one...a 4 speed Auto Shifter is NOT compatible with the 6.

The 6 speed is FE92-46-100B for your car can be bought on-line for $385.09 from official Mazda Dealer,Montgomery's, so the $655 for the Shifter is way too much....put in the Part Number.

http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com/part...&siteid=214264

Crikey mate, sorry I don't know where some of you guys in the US always think you can get the OE part cheaper from Autozone :), for OEM stuff you are much better to go on-line and buy from a Mazda Dealer, as Autozone will have to buy a new FE92-46-100B from a Mazda Dealer and then put on a markup.

Also try my friend Paul at Mazmart, although not a Mazda franchise he buys brand new OE genuine from Mazda...he is treated specially from MNAO, because Paul is special.

I doubt autozone will even have a listing for that.

Some news about my problem !

I decided to look at it myself, so I removed the shifter cover, and I saw the problem right away.
Look at this picture,
http://s12.postimage.org/qybsvsq65/I...23_1107152.jpg

On the left is the small switch for shifter down, on the right the one for shifter up.
I bypass the switch to see if the speed goes up and it does, so the issue is that little stupid swtich!

When I tried to take it out, it blew up lol
So now I need to find a new one to replace it.


This issue wasn't a $800 issue, the mazda garage is a scam...
Mazda took me 3 hours and $250 for the diagnostic, it took me 10min...

I'm glad you found the issue - but you were pointed to the right place by Mazda. They really might have spent three hours diagnosing the issue and narrowed it down to the shifter controls. So it may have taken you ten minutes to find the bad swich but again they already showed you where the issue was. Not sure where you live, but $250 in diagnostic time here in California will only get you about an hour and a half. But that's great that you did find the bad micro switch.

Have you been able to find a replacment micro switch? The dealership is right - they won't have that part seperately so we will have to do some internet searching for the right one or at least something that will work.

Maybe you can find a used one on Ebay and just swap the switches?

Yes right, and for $250 they also did a complete check on the car (oil, coolant liquid, tires, brakes, battery, etc..) so it is ok for that.

For the switch I found a pack of 10 for $3.50 at dx.com. So I have to wait 3 weeks to get it. I will search more on ebay to see if I can find one closer.
This is a really common switch in fact.