just a few queries about ECU codes

can the ECU code be copied to a floppy, (from Japan) then taken to a US Mazda dealer to be downloaded into my ECU? i have a friend whose relative is a Maz. salesperson in Tokyo. yeah fat chance, but i'll try anyway.

-or-

would it be better to take my ECU to Japan and perhaps have Mazda reflash the ECU.

-or-

just buy a new ECU and keyset in Japan?

what do you peeps think?

Good luck with giving the ECU code to a US dealer and get them to reflash your ECU. They won't do this due to liability reasons and it must also be illegal for them to do so since that ECU code is not approved for the US.

....and i don't think Mazda Japan will be too willing to give me the code either......

Mazda of America (MOA) and Japan (MOJ) are the same but they arent. Ford owns pretty much all of MOA. My guess would be that even if you could get your hands on the J-Specs, they wouldnt work the the US-Specs. And as mentioned earlier, good luck finding someone to reflash the car with it. My dealership wouldnt touch the car for something like that. Novel idea though, I would love to do something like that with my car. Plus J-Spec -8's probably have completely different systems set up as well, so they may have something we dont and vice versea. And my tech rep is coming in here soon, Im trying to get the J-Specs for the whole Mazda lineup. You wouldnt believe how hard it is to get that information.

thanks snyder....please keep us posted.....my friend will be making a call to japan on friday to inquire if the ECU's are compatible. he seems to think they may might, getting the right jumpers and wire harnesses (sp?) may be whole different ballgame.

God forbid that the wiring harnesses are different. Anyone who has dealt with a wiring harness before will know what a pain in the butt they are to replace. My memory isnt very good, but I think we had a 2001 626 in not to long ago that needed a new wiring harness. Lets see, we had to remove the dash, the seats, the carpet, part of the tire well, fuel tank, bits and pieces of the engine, and the center console. Now add 3 years of technolgy onto that and into a car that is pretty much controled by electric and computers. If someone does change the wiring harness, they need to take pictures and post them, I want to see that mess!

I can just see replacing the MOA ECU with MOJ unit and winding up with all my stereo and climate control displays showing Japanese. LOL! :D

Just remeber you have to read for right to left if it does lol Oh and learn the, what is it? 800 characters of the Japnese language lol

Originally posted by Omicron
I can just see replacing the MOA ECU with MOJ unit and winding up with all my stereo and climate control displays showing Japanese. LOL! :D

actually, that would be pretty cool, but i think the display would prolly be the the same. i've seen pics of the JPN RX8, and they look the same to me, i do not know about the opening sequence though.

Originally posted by SnyderMazz
Just remeber you have to read for right to left if it does lol Oh and learn the, what is it? 800 characters of the Japnese language lol

i think it is somewhere around 20000 i think. not only that, there are actually 3 different sets of characters.....' hiragana ' being the most basic.........i believe:)

Originally posted by rotaryDemon
i think it is somewhere around 20000 i think. not only that, there are actually 3 different sets of characters.....' hiragana ' being the most basic.........i believe:)


i think i used 'i think' onec too many times i think. what do you guys think?