Mazda couldn't fix my 2012 MS3

[ep87]

This is kind of a long story so bare with me.
As a few of you local guys know I bought a white 2012 MS3 non-tech in September of 2012 and had no problems. Fast forward to July of 2013 while driving home for Portland it started a intermittent miss that just got worse the closer I got home till it threw a CEL code, so I took it to the dealer the next morning and on the way it drove fine. They read the code and it popped up as a Pos300 miss-fire code they took it a part checked the coil packs etc. and couldn't find a problem so after 8 days of trying to find the problem and not being able to replicate the miss, they changed the plugs gave it back to me and told me I needed to drive it harder to keep the carbon build up of the plugs.

The Car drove great for a few weeks until driving one day and the miss started again but it wasn't intermittent this time, threw the same code and was throwing out black smoke from the exhaust. So back to the dealer, after about a week of them trying to find the fault and checking back and forth with the Mazda tech people in California they were stumped. At that point I got mad and visited the dealer service manger, the tech working on the car trying to light a fire under them to get it fixed and back to me. The dealer said they were having problems with Mazda tech getting back to them with instructions on what do next. So I called Mazda customer service and let them know if this continued I'd be looking for a buy back or new car under Washington State lemon law, they didn't seam to worried about that, but said they would contact the tech people in California to get answers . When Mazda customer care called me back they pretty much repeated every thing I already knew. At this point the car has been out of service a total of 17 days. I then sat down and looked into the lemon law. And sure enough if your car has been out of service for a cumulative 30 days or more fixed or not, it was considered a lemon and Mazda could be forced to buy the car back or provide me with a new car. So fast forward to about the 23rd day and its finally sinking into Mazda if they can't fix the car soon it would be in lemon territory. So they start throwing parts at it, 4 injectors, both cats, O2 sensor, ECU, and on and on, in fact on the 27th day they flew in a engineer from California to work along side the dealer tech.

So finally day 31 a thursday and the cars not fixed and they still have no idea what the problem is. So I call Mazda customer care and suddenly there story changes and I get a call back from someone who is higher up at customer service asking me to tell them the whole story. So I tell them what I know and that I plan on lemon lawing the car. He asks what would make you happy sir, I tell him a new car since I really like the speed3, he says he'll get back to me very soon. Within about 20 minutes I get a call from the dealer sales manager asking what car I wanted color, options, etc. So I tell him a 2013 speed white with the tech package and I would like all the stuff I had put on the 2012 back SRI, SSP, RMM, SS brake lines, front lip, wheels, etc, etc. So a little later in the day the guy from Mazda calls me back and say's the dealer is trying to find me that car and he would call back first thing in the morning. So friday rolls around and sure enough about 8:30 I get a call form the guy at Mazda saying the dealer has found the car at another dealer and they would be picking up that morning, and that he had been speaking to to sales manager at the dealer and they had worked out all the details including returning all my extras off the 2012. So Sunday Morning I drove over to the dealership in the rental mazda had provided me the whole time this was going on, and picked up my new zero miles 2013 white speed with the new for 2013 tech package which I love. Later that next week the dealer returned all my aftermarket stuff and unknown to me at the time the sales manager had inflated the dollar amount it needed from Mazda to make the deal, so I got some cash on top of everything.

So even though I was pretty pissed off while this was going down. I couldn't be happier now. Got a new car with zero miles, got the 2013 tech package that my 2012 didn't have. And BTW the 2013 tech package is way nicer then the tiny 2012 tech package screen. And I got back all my goodies that will work just fine on the 2013, plus some cash.

Also just prior to the second time I took the car back to the dealer with the mis fire I had just ordered the autotech internals and V3 AP combo from edge so thats going in this weekend and with the extra cash I got I'm thinking about a TMIC and race pipe.

As far as the 2012 goes last time I spoke with the dealer they said the car was fixed but they never were able to find that smoking gun, and that some one from the dealer had been driving the car to and from work and would for a while before the dealer and Mazda decided what to do with it. So if you live in SW Washington or Portland and find a used white 2012 speed with about 7k on it and the tail panel painted black. I wouldn't buy it.

[kby]

So Mazda gave you a new car even with those mods on in while it was at the dealer?

[shifter48]

Glad everthing turned out well for you. I just got back from Portland visiting my daughter.

[Oalmon]

op=lucky ass
congrats glad mazda stepped up on this one

[ep87]

Originally Posted by kby So Mazda gave you a new car even with those mods on in while it was at the dealer?

I live about 2 miles from Corksport and this dealer is only about 3 miles from them, the dealers parts area looks like a Corksport showroom and I think they must partner with CS to some extent. They even have a menu with prices on CS stuff installed. I asked about mods when when I bought the car and they tried to sell me some.

[kby]

Originally Posted by ep87 I live about 2 miles from Corksport and this dealer is only about 3 miles from them, the dealers parts area looks like a Corksport showroom and I think they must partner with CS to some extent. They even have a menu with prices on CS stuff installed. I asked about mods when when I bought the car and they tried to sell me some.

That's awesome.

[[R]usty]

How the fuck did you get a replacement car with mods on your old speed!?!? Dealers seem to make it their life's goal to deny claims if they find a single mod on your car. You are extremely luck. They could have said no and there was really nothing you could done about it. So many guys on this forum have been denied claims for a lot less modding. Guess we all know where we are going if we ever break down, it might be worth the drive considering our engines cost a couple g bars to replace.

I got to admit I'm very jealous. I've never had a single problem myself with 42,000 hard miles and still running strong... wow your very lucky.

Very awesome thanks for sharing.

[ArmanRus]

I am so jealous I want to groan you.

Best of luck, hopefully the new car won't be a lemon.

[JgamB]

Glad to hear your miserable experience turned out to be a good one. I'd honestly expect nothing less considering you hadn't done anything to compromise the vehicle.

Also glad to see you dumped that GTI as fast as you did. I doubt you would've been as fortunate with their consumer worst reliability.

[Tokay444]

Blah blah mods.
Blah blah blah how?
Blah blah blah warranty.
Guys, he had an intake.

[mxlplx71]

now that bro, IS a cool story

[ep87]

I'm still a little in dis-belief that Mazda settled up so quick and without a fight. I just figure that settling with me before it actually went through the lemon law route saved them from having to scrap the car and not have a chance to re-sell it. Though I'm not certain that they would have been forced to scrap it, but I'm sure it would have branded it in some way.

Richard

[Oalmon]

Originally Posted by rustysurfsa How the fuck did you get a replacement car with mods on your old speed!?!? Dealers seem to make it their life's goal to deny claims if they find a single mod on your car. You are extremely luck. They could have said no and there was really nothing you could done about it. So many guys on this forum have been denied claims for a lot less modding. Guess we all know where we are going if we ever break down, it might be worth the drive considering our engines cost a couple g bars to replace. I got to admit I'm very jealous. I've never had a single problem myself with 42,000 hard miles and still running strong... wow your very lucky. Very awesome thanks for sharing.

my dealer told me from the beginning that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I was honest with 'em i have a lifetime power train warranty so i have to get all my maint done thru them Had a new intercooler on when i went in the other day for an oil change and was talking with him again. He said hey man hear no evil see no evil. I was like man your gonna see some evil when you raise the hood.

[Speed3in215]

Wow that's great man I'm glad Mazda took care of you and not give you any shit for having mods on your car during the misfire. This how it should be especially they couldn't find the issue. It happens in every car manufacturer with some cars are gonna be a lemon.

[Lancer-AM]

Just having mods on your car does not void your warranty. Magnuson-Moss requires them to prove an aftermarket part caused the failure. Not saying you won't have a hard time, but it is illegal for them to just look at a modded car and say the warranty is voided. In this instance they could not even identify the issue with the car, so proving fault would be hard. Glad Mazda took care of you.

[helmetface]

OP, miles on car?

[Voltron]

You lucky motherfucker.

[J'sSpeed3]

well, time to move to Vancouver

[hitmeagaintubesock]

That is awesome. I bet the miss fire code was a bad fly wheel. I've read about that happening before. I wish the dealer I bought from was like that.... they told me no mods. Or warranty was gone. I actualy put a new bypass valve on a week before I traded for my new speed and the salesman told me if I put it on my new speed he'd void my warranty on the spot. That's the last I've seen of the dealer.

[ep87]

Originally Posted by helmetface OP, miles on car?

Just over 7k

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by hitmeagaintubesock That is awesome. I bet the miss fire code was a bad fly wheel. I've read about that happening before. I wish the dealer I bought from was like that.... they told me no mods. Or warranty was gone. I actualy put a new bypass valve on a week before I traded for my new speed and the salesman told me if I put it on my new speed he'd void my warranty on the spot. That's the last I've seen of the dealer.

I would have LAUGHED OUT LOUD, and told him he just lost a sale for being a pompous prick.

[dubtastic]

Great show of customer support from Mazda and I'm happy that the OP got everything taken care of!

[breakfstincluded]

awesome (:

a local nator is selling a CS TMIC btw (:

[motherfnmonsta]

I bet that the fly wheel was causing the misfires, really surprised that they did not replace that since it is a known issue. You are lucky that the tech dropped the ball on his diag, and lucky with your mods to man.

[ep87]

Originally Posted by motherfnmonsta I bet that the fly wheel was causing the misfires, really surprised that they did not replace that since it is a known issue. You are lucky that the tech dropped the ball on his diag, and lucky with your mods to man.

I don't remember any body from either the dealer or Mazda saying anything about the fly wheel. What kind of issue did they have?

At first the dealer and Mazda focused on the ignition, plugs, coil packs, loose pins in the wiring harness ends etc. and then turned there attention to fuel, started doing some data logging. checking Trims, the pumps,injectors, etc. towards the end they seamed certain that it was a faulty in the wiring harness, maybe an intermittent short, or damaged wire.

I'd like to hear more about this fly wheel issue. even though its not my problem any more I'd still like know what failed, and stumped one of their "engineers" they flew in for 5 days.

[mr.speedy3]

Originally Posted by hitmeagaintubesock That is awesome. I bet the miss fire code was a bad fly wheel. I've read about that happening before. I wish the dealer I bought from was like that.... they told me no mods. Or warranty was gone. I actualy put a new bypass valve on a week before I traded for my new speed and the salesman told me if I put it on my new speed he'd void my warranty on the spot. That's the last I've seen of the dealer.

Wow. I woulda laughed hard at this guy. That's a terrible selling point haha. As already stated, its not really legal to void warranty without proof the part is liable cause. Its a bitch but its still a law. And to the OP, nice score. A local AZ Nator memebr just had condensation in his lights and they refused to fix it then said it'd be 2k to replace. He's even stock.

[Tokay444]

What's this flywheel issue? And wtf does it have to do with our ignition?

[Spec]

Originally Posted by Tokay444 What's this flywheel issue? And wtf does it have to do with our ignition?

Ya, for real. "My cars missing, what do you think is wrong?" "Hmm, did you check your flywheel"

"Good call!"

Da fuq

Originally Posted by mr.speedy3 Wow. I woulda laughed hard at this guy. That's a terrible selling point haha. As already stated, its not really legal to void warranty without proof the part is liable cause. Its a bitch but its still a law. And to the OP, nice score. A local AZ Nator memebr just had condensation in his lights and they refused to fix it then said it'd be 2k to replace. He's even stock.

Well, if he's not going to make them fix it, they'll lay the pipe in his ass. Assuming he's still covered under warranty.

[crankshaft]

Wow. That dealer/Mazda did you right, and went above and beyond. That experience would make me brand loyal to Mazda.

[Spec]

I've never had anything but problems. I'm either a cock sucker or I expect things to be done as good as I could do it. Maybe a combination.

[hitmeagaintubesock]

I've read maybe a couple threads about gen pus having miss fire codes and went thru plugs, coils, and other things and it ended up being the fly wheel...The op in the post I read never went in to great detail but I would assume it has something to do with the crank sensor reading the fly wheel maybe???

[MS3CB]

@hitmeagaintubesock; the crank sensor reading the flywheel.... uhhhh. Opposite sides of the engine..

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by hitmeagaintubesock I've read maybe a couple threads about gen pus having miss fire codes and went thru plugs, coils, and other things and it ended up being the fly wheel...The op in the post I read never went in to great detail but I would assume it has something to do with the crank sensor reading the fly wheel maybe???

Please provide links and or a detailed explanation about how our/pu flywheels (since they're the same) have anything at all to do with the ignition system.
The crank sensor is nowhere near the flywheel.
I await your links.

[jack_hammer]

[lk250f]

My brothers 12' speed had this random misfire issue as well. They said it was the CPS, replaced it and the code came back within a few months. He took at back and they flashed the ECU and it went away again for now. We will see. not sure what is up with the flywheel theory...

[motherfnmonsta]

So far it is only on the pu's but there are some fly wheels out there that are either not balanced proper or some how develop a small warp and it is enough to throw the crank off then the cmp does not read something right and starts throwing a misfire code. I have seen a few threads to about this, but I searched on google and can't find the threads right now.

[T2J]

So I guess the moral of this story is:
Fuck lemonade. When life gives you lemons, trade that shit in for a brand new 2013 CWP w/tech

[Badinfluence]

Originally Posted by T2J So I guess the moral of this story is: Fuck lemonade. When life gives you lemons, trade that shit in for a brand new 2013 CWP w/tech

...or get your engineers to make a combustible lemon that burns your house down.

[hitmeagaintubesock]

Originally Posted by MS3CB @hitmeagaintubesock; the crank sensor reading the flywheel.... uhhhh. Opposite sides of the engine..

I have no idea were the crank sensor is on the mzr engine? But assumed it was close to the fly wheel. I know my 944 and magnum v8 dodge engines and countless others place the crank sensor to read off the fly wheel.I figured the mazda would be simalar. I know other vehicles place the crank sensor behind the crank pulley as well.

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by motherfnmonsta So far it is only on the pu's but there are some fly wheels out there that are either not balanced proper or some how develop a small warp and it is enough to throw the crank off then the cmp does not read something right and starts throwing a misfire code. I have seen a few threads to about this, but I searched on google and can't find the threads right now.

I'm gonna have to say that's damn near impossible. At least without completely demolishing a motor in the process.
For a flywheel to be so imbalanced that it throws out the timing ring enough that it isn't picked up by the cps, ON THE OTHER END OF THE CRANK, that motor isn't going to run long enough to throw any misfire codes.