1989 ECU, do they learn???
 

I asked this question in the new member section and got one response. Just looking for a few more before I confront a shady mechanic. He did some work on my car, an 89 RX7 convertible, non-turbo, auto trans. He said he made some "adjustments" to help it idle better, start better and get better gas mileage. Then he disconnected the battery to reset the ECU and because of that it would need a few days to "re-learn" the way I drive. :dunno: Is that right? Thanks for your help.

It's bull shit. He just disconnect the battery to erase your codes.

+1 i doubt the guy did any adjustments to the car. Disconnecting the battery just erases any codes the ecu had stored. The ecu doesnt need to relearn anything. On newer cars with all the electronics, they have the relearn ability.

I would like to know what he did to supposedly make it start better and get better gas mileage.

Dont some auto transmissions adjust to the way you drive?

yes, but not this one.

I just talked to him, he was very defensive but now he is saying that he said he was referring to the auto transmission like you mention. He also says that he replaced a "module" on the trans that is supposed to make it downshift into first gear when slowing down. That is one of the problems he was supposed to fix but he didn't have the old module to show me, he said he already had given it back as a core. It was pretty fast, he replaced it and gave back the core all in the same day. He said he got it from his buddy that is in another town over, about 20 miles away. Just seems very suspicious to me. I still don't have an itemized receipt yet, he is supposed to give that to me today with part numbers on it.

The adjustments he made he is being very vague on. He said he "rebuilt" the secondary air valve also but didn't have the old gaskets to show me. Again, suspicious. I think I was charged about $50 for the kit. The car runs the same as it did before I gave it to him. None of the problems are fixed, still has a hot start issue, idle problems and won't downshift into first unless I come to a complete stop.

Also he was supposed to change the oil for me while he had it. I already had the stuff to do it and gave that to him, 2 gallons of Castrol 10w 40 and a Fram filter. He then said that it would be a good idea to change just the oil a second time right away. I had been going 5,000 miles between changes but he said that was way too much, I should go 2,000 and use Kendall GT oil. He said he doesn't use Castrol, not that it is bad. I gave him a third gallon container of Castrol the next day and had another filter in the trunk. He said he would just change the oil and not the filter. The Fram filter was on the car and the oil on the stick looked cleaner than before. When I went back today, I noticed that all 3 gallon containers of my Castrol were on his shelf. 1 was empty, the second had about 2 quarts in it and the third was almost full. He claims that the third container was not mine, he had just bought it for a Volkswagen that was coming in soon. He said he threw out my third jug cause it was empty, yet he told me that he saves the empties. He said it was in the dumpster and he would pull it out to prove it. I said "lets go get it" but he said that the trash guy had emptied it already. Ok, but I thought you saved the empties???? He says he forgot and threw it out. I said prove that you bought the third gallon, show me a receipt. Says he has to dig it out.

Too many things don't add up with this guy. The only things I know he did was put on the Fram oil filter and replace the plugs with the set I gave him. I had to beg to get the old plugs back, I could tell he was going to clean them and save them for someone else down the road.:icon_no2:

Wow. Thats why you don't let anyone else work on your car.

I'd get your car back immediately, and from now on when you want a tune up, do it yourself and ask your friends on rx7club if you have any questions. No one would purposely steer you in the wrong direction on here.

Module on the transmission? Secondary air valve? Did he mention that he also rebuilt the rotor splints and checked the specs on the water filter?

The sad part is, I'm a car guy and should know better but I have never worked on a rotary. Most of my experience it with 3.8 Buick turbo's so I'm a little lost on what to do with this thing. It's only got 72,000 miles and has zero rust with a great interior. Only problem is the paint is faded and has the issues I mentioned before. He won't be working on it ever again. I'm just going to have to learn how to do it.

I told him to get my old "module" back and that I would put it back in and let him have the new one back and he will refund the $90 I spent on it since it didn't fix the downshift problem. I can't wait to see what he comes up with. :rolleyes:

Have him check the blinker fluid level while it is in there...

Do the work yourself and find a good rotary shop that can go the big stuff. Regular mechanics are pretty lost on rotaries, and this guy does not sound like he even makes the bar for regular mechanic.

When you pay, use a good credit card (Amex comes to mind) and do NOT sign the labot bill if you do not agree. He will not let you pick up your car without paying, but you can fight with him later and dispute the charge if it come to that. That is how I got my $3000+ back from Hayes Rotary when they sold me a bad engine but refused to exchange it. I disputed the charge and after months of arguing with them and them telling me that the manager was not in and to leave a message etc B.S., the day I disputed it, the manager called me begging me to reverse the dispute and they would ship out my new engine built to my specs within a week. The power of the (otherwise) evil credit card.

+1

You'll do better work too, cause it's YOUR car not someone elses...

Quick funny story, I went to the autoparts store (In Hicktown Goldendale, WA) to get some bolts that I needed more of and asked the hillbilly at the counter to get me some identicle to the one I handed him. He comes back with some bolts, but they are a different thread (US instead of metric) and show him that the bolt I gave him and the bolts he picked out are not the same, the threads don't line up. "These aren't the same," I said. "So, you don't want 'em then?" He asks. I just stared at him with a 'did you really just say that, really?' look on my face and said 'No, they won't work' rolled my eyes and walked out.

I just couldn't belive he thought I was was going to buy them even though they wouldn't work at all?!?

Some People...

The auto transmission has an external unit on the drivers side called the vacuum diaphragm, aka modulator. It is a $50 item. This "might" be the "module" you speak of. There is also a "kickdown" unit located right next to the modulator.

lmao!!! yea there are some shifty people up there in goldendale hahaahah

When you say "drivers side" do you mean in the engine compartment or on the trans itself? I want to look at it and see if it is actually a new part. Thanks

Good lord. That guy. Is a. Complete thief.

My advice. Ditch the auto. They are terrible on these cars. Just like the ABS systems.

How do I prove to him that mine is one that doesn't? He is completely convinced that it does. I'm trying to prove him wrong on everything he has said and done, so this would help a lot. I plan on going to the Better Business Bureau and possibly getting an attorney involved.

do alot of homework before you do that..get yourself a haynes manual as well so you can start learning..i've got an extra one for sale if you want it.

:AA:

The transmission itself and it will have a vacuum tube connecting it to the engine.. Page 51 in the below link.


http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ansmission.pdf

Download the Factory Service Manual for your car off of the FAQ's on here and start reading. Ask him specifically what he repaired and look it up in there and see if what he did was even necessary or if the parts he touched even existed. Unfortunately, unless the guy is a member of the Better Business Bureau, that isnt going to do crap.

I'd take this as a lesson learned.

For what it's worth:

-Your hot start issue could be a number of things. I'd look into a compression test of the engine, and replace the Water Thermosensor.
- Idle problems are something you are going to have to get used to with a RX-7. Could be about 25 different things causing this. Vacuum leak, TPS out of adjustment, BAC out of adjustment, sensors shot, bad grounds, etc...
- Get rid of your automatic transmission. They suck.

He was supposed to have a receipt with part numbers ready for me today but didn't get it done, go figure. Told me it would be tomorrow, I can't wait to see what BS he comes up with.

I realize the Better Business thing is probably a waste of time but at least it will be documented. I will probably have to go the legal route though.

Thanks for all the help, it is much appreciated.

I'd just get your car back and handle business yourself.