[Shorthand]

Third gear is now my weakest gear. What the hell is going on.

Between 0 - 700 miles I knew what was meant by 3rd gear being the "Go to Gear". It pulled very hard.

Sometime after 700 miles third gear lost its kick. I thought I was just getting used to the acceleration. I, however, just installed a MazdaSpeed CAI. The power gains have made this veiled problem noticeable. First and Second gear now pull harder than 3rd, 4th pulls fine ect. It seems as if the torque limiting program somehow has been shutoff of gears 1 and 2 and applied to 3, if such a thing were possible.

How do I confirm this is a real issue and what do I do about it?

 

[saitech]

Location? Might want to have a lil test drive with another ms3. Or, go test drive one.

 

[Lots-O-boost]

heres the thread with everything you need to know


http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=61601.0

Its just the computer doing it so you dont break anything...... i guess. there are a few threads along with this one.

 

[CosmicBlueMS3]

did you reset the ecu?
unplug the batt for 5-10 mins, plug it back up and try again

 

[Shorthand]

I unplugged the battery for all of last night after I installed the CAI, no change.

If its an overactive knock sensor I can't understand why only 3rd gear is affected by it. When I was driving and noticed the problem it was 28 degrees F. So I doubt the engine needed to modify the timing due to detonation.

Good news is the CAI makes some neat noises and noticeable power. I've been shifting at 6300 when I'm getting on it and not noticing a power falloff like before.

Edit: Maybe I'll just read the whole thread you linked me to and shut my big mouth.

 

[Unoriginalusername]

that's weird, only CAI folks have this issue?

 

[Shorthand]

I noticed it before the CAI installation, however, after the install the problem became more noticeable.

 

[Kawwikid]

welcome to my world. Mine is still very on-off, sometimes theres great power in thrid, sometimes not so much. And now with the CAI And the Turbo XS and the TMIC, its really wild to have 1st and 2nd to pull like a bitch and then have the car fall on its face in 3 rd....

 

[Unoriginalusername]

is this a flash they are working on fixing? did they fix the ms6?

 

[redms3gt]

I sometimes will only get 7-8psi in third if I pussyfoot it, or lightly roll into full throttle. It needs to be hammered. If a back off the gas then stomp it it usually comes back to 10-12 psi depending on temp and load. Its the Ecu programming. Its pretty consistant with my car and even has effects in 4th and 5th if the rpms are low and the load is high. It like it know the engine is lugging "not in the 3.5-5.5 range" and lowers boost so everything is less stressed. If you start at 2k and roll into it in 3rd at about 3500ish power is soft. Needs to be 3-4ish and hammer it. Much more consisant power wise then. 4 me anyway. Try it.

 

[Shorthand]

I just realized I showed up late to the party.

Seeing how big of an issue this is.

Now I'm sad

 

[diablospeed]

i noticed a fall-off in 3rd and 4th until my computer learned the intake. it will get better... i promised you that. :sicmade3:

 

[Lots-O-boost]

there is a video somewhere, I cant remember where I seen it but someone had a boost gauge on thier speed3 and only was boosting between 6-8psi in third, but when going through the gears it went to like 13-15, the vid even showed that by redline he was only making like 5psi. If i can find the video I'll post the link.

 

[betelgeuse]

Here we go again:

:dhorse:

 

[Focused]

[quote author=Betelgeuse link=topic=70659.msg1238097#msg1238097 date=1172637931]
Here we go again:

:dhorse:
[/quote]

bwahahaha

 

[dazed_and_confused]

Sorry,.I didn't wade through the entire 15 page thread that was linked, but does the ECM flash take care of the inconsistent boost issue?

Thanks,

Kev

 

[flyrevs]

[quote author=dazed_and_confused link=topic=70659.msg1238326#msg1238326 date=1172654003]
Sorry,.I didn't wade through the entire 15 page thread that was linked, but does the ECM flash take care of the inconsistent boost issue?

Thanks,

Kev
[/quote]Huh? ECM flash? Didn't know there was such a thing for the MS3. The solution will be XEDE, CP_E or COBB tuner. I think CP-E is getting close from another thread, and XEDE is also getting somewhere with plug n play so maybe by this summer we will have something. Can't wait!!!! 8)

 

[AlbertaMS3]

My dealer told me there was a reflash available to help with the turbo lag. I have the car at the dealer right now for the reflash and to clear the CEL. I'll let you know if there is any difference in the drive home.

 

[dazed_and_confused]

Thanks Alberta, keep us updated!

Kev

 

[AlbertaMS3]

Well, the reflash didn't work.

I was told that Mazda Canada programming won't work on American cars. They could clear my warning lights, if they were present when they hooked up the computer. Woo hoo, my TPMS light was cleared for 5 minutes :? Unfortunately my CEL which had been on for two weeks straight decided to go off on the way to the dealership, and the service computer couldn't tell that there had been a CEL or what the code was. I'm pretty sure its the P2006, but can't get it fixed under warranty unless their computer can tell that the code occurred.

I'm going to bug Mazda Canada to allow Canadian dealers to access the American built cars ECU's. My dealer told me he's had about a dozen American cars come in and he can't do any reflashes on them. But there definitely is a reflash available for the MS3.