Mazda Reflashed my ECU, Now I Am Not Getting a Black Tailpipe!

[knowledge007]

Don't know if you read my other post... But system was reflashed on Monday after a check up on the cpe 3"

 

[alien1979]

Its directly form the mazda computer dump so it is a program version

Once again, this was NOT directed at you. Please look at the text I quoted before assuming I was replying to you.(smash)

 

[alien1979]

Unfortunately, not quite yet. We need to make sure this is not only for Canadian versions of the vehicle. (Or at the very least, find out the US equivalent.) It is possible that Mazda has released a N. American version, but again, we just need to be sure.

I disagree. From my experience in the Miata world, most of the time the ECU programming is the same for North America. But in the interest of making absolutely sure, I will reserve judgment until an American car shows up here with version numbers. (enguard)

 

[M3_Zoom]

Don't know if you read my other post... But system was reflashed on Monday after a check up on the cpe 3"

Hey knowledge007, I read your earlier posts but I did not come across the re-flash information. Did you post your re-flash information? This is what I'm doing. Every person who posts a different code, I'm taking all of them to the dealer tomorrow, Friday 13 April and when I present them to the Service Manager, he said he will go through them with me and explain what each one is. A great way to get to the bottom of all of this yes, no, maybe re-flash information.

Now the problem is several people have had a re-flash for one reason or another but as of now, I only have a couple of re-flash codes etc. The best way is to scan/post your service paperwork as Alien1979 did. I just print that off and BINGO more proof for the dealer. I'm also calling out West again today to see if Cedric is back from vacation.

 

[M3_Zoom]

Well, there you go folks. I think this has been put to bed.

Hey alien1979, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the swirl valve is replaced it does include a re-flash anyhow. I have read elsewhere and a few MS3 owners who had the swirl/purge valve replaced had a re-flash.

See gents, this is how confussion and missunderstanding starts. What I'm trying to get to the bottom of, is if there is a re-flash for the driveability issue (3rd/4th gear boost spike & Lean/Rich running) for everyone in the U.S. not just out West. It's proven there is one, but who all it pertains to at this point is beyond me. It should pertain to everyone who has the problem no matter where we live.

 

[M3_Zoom]

I didnt go through everything to see if this has been covered yet, my dealer said no reflash, they said I need a new swirl valve and thats what is being replaced. Im getting mine done tomorrow, Ill see if it works! (dance) and just to set the record striaght I dont believe a word my dealer has been telling me!!!! Im having another convo with the service manager LADY before they go and replace stuff thats perfectly fine, and Im going to stand behind them and watch every move they make this time!!! Because I dont think they did anything I asked them to do last time!!! THEY DIDNT EVEN NOTICE MY CEL WAS ON WHEN THEY DID A WHOLE CHECK OVER OF THE CAR!!!

voiceKoil,did you get your swirl valve replaced? If so, how is your car driving now? Did it include a re-flash?

 

[M3_Zoom]

That code you are mentioning isnt a version number. I believe it is an internal Mazda code for billing purposes. See the invoice I attached earlier and you will see similar numbers for each problem area.

Regardless if it's a version number or code for billing purposes it's the reference that counts at this point. We shall see...

 

[camrycev6]

I disagree. From my experience in the Miata world, most of the time the ECU programming is the same for North America. But in the interest of making absolutely sure, I will reserve judgment until an American car shows up here with version numbers. (enguard)

I don't really think this about agreeing or disagreeing. I just want verification. This has nothing to do with you or me. If it is a N. American version great --- if not, there might be another version with a different number. Doesn't matter to me --- I just want to know, not guess.

 

[Jstassen]

reflash

Hey guys, I had my car in on Monday and the dealer "reflashed" my PCM with the most up to date version. As I said before they had no idea what the update was concerning or anything else about it. After the service, I can't truly be sure I have noticed a difference in the car's performance. If anything, the car seems to more consistant in power with less feeling of turbo lag and sudden boost of power around 3000 RPM. 3rd and 4th gears feel a bit faster as well. Here is what my invoice says "PCM calibration performed F00010XFX Powertrain control module -Reflashing 45 WPM94" I honestly don't know which is the update # but I thought that might help. Good luck all.....jstassen

 

[turbofever]

because the only reflash has to do with fixing the p2006 code i don't know why a dealer would do the reflash just because unless there is a p2006 code. they can't just update the ecu without the CEL being on mazda won't pay them for it.

If your car throws a p2006 code, and they replace the swirl shutter valve actuator, there is a reprogram to go with it. Its that simple guys. There is no reflash unless you get that actuator replaced.

 

[clos561]

Hey guys, I had my car in on Monday and the dealer "reflashed" my PCM with the most up to date version. As I said before they had no idea what the update was concerning or anything else about it. After the service, I can't truly be sure I have noticed a difference in the car's performance. If anything, the car seems to more consistant in power with less feeling of turbo lag and sudden boost of power around 3000 RPM. 3rd and 4th gears feel a bit faster as well. Here is what my invoice says "PCM calibration performed F00010XFX Powertrain control module -Reflashing 45 WPM94" I honestly don't know which is the update # but I thought that might help. Good luck all.....jstassen

ur car is the same...i think the "reflash is jsut re-entering the original code on the ecu...like when u reboot ur computer.....most people are victims of placebo...they think something is better when it is the same...its been proven in medicine...you get better because u have been to the doctor and he says u wil be ok...its all in ur head....

 

[adamsredms3]

ur car is the same...i think the "reflash is jsut re-entering the original code on the ecu...like when u reboot ur computer.....most people are victims of placebo...they think something is better when it is the same...its been proven in medicine...you get better because u have been to the doctor and he says u wil be ok...its all in ur head....

(2thumbs) you hit the nail on the head! no pun intended (lol2)

 

[alien1979]

Regardless if it's a version number or code for billing purposes it's the reference that counts at this point. We shall see...

No offense, but you still missed my point. I give up. I look forward to seeing a resolution to this mess. As was mentioned before, we need a Mazda rep on this forum to help out. Anyone know a friendly neighborhood Mazda employee?

 

[alien1979]

Hey alien1979, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the swirl valve is replaced it does include a re-flash anyhow. I have read elsewhere and a few MS3 owners who had the swirl/purge valve replaced had a re-flash.

See gents, this is how confussion and missunderstanding starts. What I'm trying to get to the bottom of, is if there is a re-flash for the driveability issue (3rd/4th gear boost spike & Lean/Rich running) for everyone in the U.S. not just out West. It's proven there is one, but who all it pertains to at this point is beyond me. It should pertain to everyone who has the problem no matter where we live.

I just recently had the transient CEL when the weather got cold here for a few days. After the cold weather departed, voila, no CEL. I havent been to the dealer for that particular problem, so I cannot speak to the reflash for it.

BTW, I am loving my new CP-E intake I put in today. It was a PITA, but worth it.

 

[M3_Zoom]

No offense, but you still missed my point. I give up. I look forward to seeing a resolution to this mess. As was mentioned before, we need a Mazda rep on this forum to help out. Anyone know a friendly neighborhood Mazda employee?

Hey alien1979, No offense taken as I certainly understand what your saying... I think the resolution is on it's way or at least I hope so. I spoke to my service manager this morning and it's become a personal mission of his to get to the bottom of it. Maybe I can get him to join this forum...

 

[M3_Zoom]

*PCM RE-FLASH UPDATE*

Hello all! I know several of you are waiting on the results of my service appointment today in reference to the research and data I have collected about the re-flash of our MS3's and unfortunately I had to reschedule my appointment because my little boy is running a very high fever.

Now on the brighter side, I did speak to the service manager and he took all the codes/numbers from me over the phone so when I show up on Tuesday, 17 April he can give me the details. I've spoken to him several times, he's super nice and very determined to get to the bottom of this. I think with my professional and tactful approach, it's turned into a personal mission for him as well. They are a Mazdaspeed dealer and here is an interesting note. They have only sold a half-a-dozen MS3's and all were purchased from out of town folks. He was honest with me by saying if the cars are not returned for service the interest in updates etc. on any car are really not a concern and unless they have it in there "update database" or it shows up as a TSB they have no need or concern to make phone calls...bla...bla...bla. Now guess who's job requires them to keep the updates filed? The Mazdaspeed tech and the service manager. At least at my dealer they have a specific Mazdaspeed tech. I'm not saying this is the same at all dealers but maybe if your talking to any service tech that does not have access to the Speed updates that could be the recipe for wrong answers. Sure he did say updates are checked by VIN# but he also said it's not just the MS3 they get backed up on with new issues, it's all of there new models. So, the service manager is going to call the three dealers I gave him information on, as well as Mazda to speak to a factory tech rep. Also he's giving all the codes/numbers to the Mazdaspeed tech to bounce off his updates in the database. When I show up on the 17th he's going to give me a list of all updates, issues etc. wether they pertain to my current problem or not. So this should address the re-flash for driveability problems, swirl valve replacement, dragging brake calipers, p2006 CEL, rough idle in cold weather, transmission mounts and he said he's going to look into any issues the CAI would have on the PCM Air/Fuel Lean/Rich issue as well. I may even attempt to recruit him for this forum but one thing at a time. We shall see.

 

[camrycev6]

Sweet M3_Zoom! You are the man!

PS...I hope your little boy is feeling better.

 

[clos561]

yea my dealer told me they only reflash the computer when a cell throws...they reflash so that when something happens again, the computer can throw the cell again...if you get a reflash from a dealer they are jsut doing this without a cell being thrown which is the same thing....."rebooting your computer" so it can read and reconize problems that occur with the engine after it has already reconized it

i stil think it jsut depends on the dealer and who you are talking to ...it may not be necessary but helps the driver feel comfortable...i drive my car and i dont get black smoke every time i floor it...its occasional and its not a problem...but if i need one ill get one...probably after i install cai and exhaust and s***

 

[M3_Zoom]

Sweet M3_Zoom! You are the man!

PS...I hope your little boy is feeling better.

camrycev6, thanks for the kind words. I just want to help all those who are as serious about this car as I am. Eventually we will get things worked out.

As far as my son, 102.7 temperature is never a good day, but he is doing better now with a 99 temperature. Doc gave him some meds and he will be ok. Apparently the nasty FLU bug is going around here. Thanks for the comments.

 

[M3_Zoom]

yea my dealer told me they only reflash the computer when a cell throws...they reflash so that when something happens again, the computer can throw the cell again...if you get a reflash from a dealer they are jsut doing this without a cell being thrown which is the same thing....."rebooting your computer" so it can read and reconize problems that occur with the engine after it has already reconized it

i stil think it jsut depends on the dealer and who you are talking to ...it may not be necessary but helps the driver feel comfortable...i drive my car and i dont get black smoke every time i floor it...its occasional and its not a problem...but if i need one ill get one...probably after i install cai and exhaust and s***

clos561, yea one of the dealers I called said exactly what you just said. The service manager told me the p2006 CEL allot of MS3 owners are getting is being reset with a re-flash, but it's not a performance enhancement re-flash as several of us have already stated. I do know there is a driveability reflash for the boost spike in 3rd/4th gear but until I get confirmed word I will not comment on it. However, I will say it does not affect everyone so... we'll get this beast figured out. Also I think once COBB Tunning releases the Access Port for our car, allot will change to include some of the minor issues some are having.