2006, 2007 Mazda 5 PCM reflash

[DKaz]

If your engine suffers from random stutters/hesitation (feels like the engine cuts out for a split second resulting in a jolt, then the engine continues as normal), a PCM reflash to the 2008+ version will fix this but apparently will do other things:

1. Get rid of engine stutter.
2. Reduce maximum engine power from 157HP to 153HP
3. Increase fuel mileage by 1L/100km.

Cost is $69.99 as the engine stutter TSB isn't covered in Canada, and you do lose 4HP, but if the mileage savings are true, you will get that $69.99 back in gas savings in about 6,000km in driving. I will do the reprogram in two weeks when I go in to get a new key for the 5 ($263 taxes in for the switchblade, ugh, I'm going to find out if the normal separate key + fob works.)

[tonyzoomzoom]

Interesting.   I wonder if this refresh also applies to the MZ3 as well

[MZRL5]

hmmm I wonder who is charging you? PCM reflash covered under pcm waranty which is 7 years 120km

[DKaz]

Morrey North Shore tried to charge so I cancelled an oil change with them. VIP Mazda would've done it for free but I never got a chance to do it. My car's at 124k now.

I'm sure some of the Mazda3s would've been affected by engine stutter as well.

Again I only heard this from someone so I will have to confirm if this is true. Another person who has a reflashed 06 and a 08 as well and he said the 08 still runs smoother and is still slightly more fuel efficient by 1 MPG, but he is getting better fuel economy in the 06 than before the reflash.

[tonyzoomzoom]

Might you have a reference to the specific TSB?

[DKaz]

This is for the Mazda5
http://www.mstore2000.com/PDF_Files/01-008-08-1914.pdf

I tried Googling to see if there was anything for the Mazda 3 as well:
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/01-046-06.html

Google results for Mazda 3 stuff:
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1GGGE_enCA373CA374&q=mazda3+engine+hesitation+tsb&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Do your vehicles suffer from hesitation? It can be a pretty violent jolt if you're accelerating hard, it mostly occurs right after a gear shift, between 1,500 and 2,500 RPM.

[derrick]

Try calling Wolfe Langey to see what they can do.

[tonyzoomzoom]

This is for the Mazda5
http://www.mstore2000.com/PDF_Files/01-008-08-1914.pdf

I tried Googling to see if there was anything for the Mazda 3 as well:
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/01-046-06.html

Google results for Mazda 3 stuff:
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1GGGE_enCA373CA374&q=mazda3+engine+hesitation+tsb&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Do your vehicles suffer from hesitation? It can be a pretty violent jolt if you're accelerating hard, it mostly occurs right after a gear shift, between 1,500 and 2,500 RPM.

Thanks for the info, Donald.  I find the car to be jerky when it's about to shift and I change the throttle position significantly (either gasing up or fully releasing the gas pedal).  The best way I've found to avoid this problem is to keep the same throttle position until the car has shifted.

And I would do what Derrick suggested: go to Langley Wolfe

[MZRL5]

i cant do much fo you since your out of waranty,I doubt if it applies to 3 since pcm file looks different.

[DKaz]

*Old rant deleted*

Thank you Mark in the Wolfe Langley Mazda servicing department for resolving this issue. They recognized I first reported this problem at 88,000km and will therefore honour the warranty and reflash the PCM for me free of charge when I go in to get a new set of switchblade keys made (I'll think next time before losing a $263 set of car keys... I've done worse though...)

[tonyzoomzoom]

I don't think MZRL5 has access or knowledge of the original complaint.  And that is why he responded with the standard 7 year / 120k km answer.

That said, did you go back to Langley Wolfe to see if they will do the reflash even though you are out of the " pcm warranty" period given the timing of your original complaint?

[DKaz]

Problem resolved! Should've listened to my own advice and called in before ranting.

[tonyzoomzoom]

^^^ glad to hear that things worked out for you !!

[DKaz]

At the dealership, cool heads... sigh... I really hope they get it fixed. The guy at the service desk infuriated me when he said he would get a tech to check for hesitation... I DON'T NEED IT CHECKED, I EXPERIENCED A FEW DOZEN TIMES, GET IT FIXED!

Edit: Appointment is done, I am not happy right now at all.