I searched through some old posts for this but could not find details of what exactly this update entails.

Is this something that a Mazda dealer will still do for free (not that I particularly want to bring my car to a dealer), or is it just a matter of replacing a wiring harness?

(The CarFax I ran when buying the vehicle reports no open recalls but I have never had my fans come on after removing the key from the ignition even though the fans may come on if I turn the key to the ACC position, indicating that the coolant is hot enough to require their activation.)

1993-94 RX-7 Coolant Leak [Recall Campaign #54407]
Dear RX-7 Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of
the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Mazda has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle
safety exists in certain 1993-94 RX-7 models. We have decided to
conduct Recall Campaign #54407 for replacement of selected engine
cooling system components in those vehicles, beginning August 8,
1994.

If your RX-7 has been subjected to high-speed operation and then
parked before cooling down, the residual engine heat combined with
build-up of pressure in the cooling system can raise the temperature
of the coolant to levels where the integrity of the cooling system
can be compromised. Repeated operation of the vehicle in this manner
may produce cooling system leaks.

Under some circumstances, the leaking coolant mixture can collect
on top of the engine, where some of the water can evaporate, increasing
the concentration of the coolant. If coolant then leaks onto the
exhaust manifold, an engine compartment fire could be the result.

Your RX-7 is equipped with a water level sensor that warns you of
low coolant levels with both a warning light and accompanying
buzzer. In most cases, you would be warned of a low water level
prior to the point where enough coolant had been leaked to present
any serious risk of fire.

Please make an appointment at your Mazda dealer to have the required
repairs performed at no charge to you.

If you have moved or no longer owned the vehicle, please complete
the enclosed "Change of Address/Ownership" pre-paid postcard as
soon as possible, so we may update our records and/or notify the
current owner.

Should you have any questions regarding this program, please
contact our Customer Relations toll-free number (800) 222-5500.

If your dealer or distributor does not remedy the defect without
charge within a reasonable amount of time, you may wish to notify
the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Washington, D.C. 20590, or you can call their toll-free Auto
Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393, (residents of Washington, D.C.
may call 366-0123).

Our goal at Mazda is to build and maintain only the highest
quality products. please accept our apologies for any
inconvenience this may cause you.

Sincerely,

Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

 

i'm pritty sure it's a requirement under law that they have to fix it no matter how old the car is

 

Yep, the recall is a free fix.

The main part of the recall is the wiring harness update. There is a short harness that goes between the fan relays and the main harness - this basically wires 3 of the relays so they can run with the car off. The other part goes by the ECU - the harness goes between 2 of the plugs from the ECU harness and there's a ground wire and control module. This is the fan control module - if the fan thermoswitch is tripped for more than a certain amount of time, it will run the fans at low for 10 minutes after you shut the car off.

I don't know if they'd still do it, but it was optional for a Mazda dealer to replace ALL the coolant hoses with the updated hoses that are made from a more heat-resistant material. I kind of doubt a dealer would do that now - that's probably something they would have done with the car still under warranty.

It's easy to check if you have the update. Get down to the ECU (it's under the passenger kick panel) and remove the 10mm nuts/bolts that hold it in place. There will be a small black box bolted to the back of the ECU bracket with wiring coming from it. There will be in the wiring harness a black wire with a black connector on the end that doesn't connect to anything - that's a test connector for the control module. If you have that, the recall has been done.

My car was listed in Carfax as not having had the brake recall done, and I believe it actually had been done. I went ahead and had the dealer do it - hey, free Mazda parts .

I would trust the dealer to do the fan recall. It's VERY easy and just requires them to unplug connectors and plug harnesses in between. Should take all of 30 minutes TOPS.

If you do have the recall but Mazda doesn't think you do, take the car to the dealer, show them you have the parts installed, and see if they can't update the database to show that it's been done. That way it will get in the system, and if you ever go to sell the car that will be off the Carfax record.

Dale

 

BTW, I doubt they'd give you any hassle, but the dealers ARE required by federal law to do any of the recalls FOR FREE, regardless of the age or mileage on the vehicle.

Here's some more info on the recalls and TSBs for the FD that I did -

http://www.clubrx.org/media/FDTSB.pdf

Dale

 

Thanks for the detailed information. My main worry was that this update was sufficiently complex for the dealer to fluxor my car, but it looks like it may be worth a try.