Spin9k

Is the auto ECU the "same" as the manual ECU? In other words, can the auto ECU just be re-flashed to be a manual ECU or are there electrical/connector differences? Thanks.

jzrx8

looking at the cheap one on ebay?

Spin9k

not any more Can't wait to take it apart.

jzrx8

hahah i was gonna buy it to get to RB reflash and keep my stock one for a backup, but as you said i wasnt sure if the are interchangable. Congrats on the great deal.

lurch519

you might not want to do that. if you put a different ecu, the car wont start. for the car to start, the ecu interrogates a chip in your key, and if the proper code isnt provided by the key, car wont start.

Spin9k

hahaha reading my mind were you? For $10 that would be a hitting the jackpot... if not... I get to play ECU doctor and it's surgery fun

Spin9k

As there's a limited numbe rof key codes, wonder how you can tell what the correct key code would be for any particular ECU? or can ones existing key code be retrofitted into the ECU so as to work? How would an ECU be replaced if that wasn't possible?

jzrx8

I work for ford and our scan tools work in the rx8 so i could have programmed it for the car and key, no big deal. but i didnt know if the ecu itself was different from at to mt.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

not only different between AT and MT, but different within the same trans to and not inter-compatible, I've posted about this several times lately, do teh PCM s3arch

but I do have a question for jzrx8, so far no tech has been able to verify if a used PCM of the correct build number can be programmed for use in another RX-8, the only PCM's they are trained to program are new "clean" PCMs or used PCMs that have been sent to MNAO and "wiped clean". Any info you can provide on this would be appreciated.

jzrx8

Team thats what i figured about the AT PCM. About your other question i will find out at work tomorrow, and if it has to be wiped out i think my buddy at work 30+ years @ ford knows how to or knows someone that will do it for us for free. I will PM you tomorrow with the answer to your question.

lurch519

there are millions of codes available. you would have to get your keys reprogrammed to the new ecu. not a big deal, but has to go to dealer

Spin9k

How about let the whole world know...not just Team.....just tell us here if it's possible and you or your friend can do it.. I mean if that's possible, then the RB 'spare ECU' would be feasible. You're basically asking if an ECU can be "cloned" and that's a valuable bit to know!

I'd love to my 'modified ECU' and my 'dealer' ECU' for a quick swap out... wouldn't you?

09Factor

Please let us know if AT/MT ECU's are diffrent.

jzrx8

Team, to know for sure i will need to part numbers from both ECUs and the manufacture. The info I got from my buddy at work is that it should be possible to do as long as the part numbers are either the same or very very close. Along with my 8 I have an Envoy( i know boo GM) but i got a ECU from a salvage yard sent that to be tuned, put it in my truck and then did s relearn procedure(without a scan tool) just using to key and ignition and it programmed the PCM from the salvage to work in my truck. ECU are build date and VIN specific. So basically there only needs to be a way to have the NEW ECU that was tuned to reprogram itself to work in the vehicle. And yes I know easier said then done. The only down fall I see is that the ECU might not be made by Mazda/Ford and I wont have access to a scan tool to reprogram it. Unless my school have one that will work. But its to early to tell if we are able to reprogram a 6MT ECU let alone a AT to MT. Once i get the info from Team or anyone else on the forum it will be easy to find out the exact details. And I wasn't trying to close everyone out from this idea, I just wanted to make sure this was possible with the info from TEAM before everyone gets all excited and goes a buys a spare ECU and it doesn't work. If anyone can post part numbers and manufactures of the ECU that would greatly help the process. I think it would be great if there was a way to have a spare and a tuned ECU that way when you take it to the dealer they A. wont void your warrenty(if they find out) and B. so that they dont reflash(if its possible, so tune shops encypt the tune so you cant reflash over it) over the tune and you have to pay to get it tuned all over again.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I don't have the manufacturer info handy, but it's Mazda Part No. N3ZA-18-881A for a 2005 RX-8 with 6MT, identical part numbers


here is the info I previously posted, 2004 was truly a clusterf-ck year on these:

jzrx8

Thanks for the info TEAM it will help out alot. As far as FORD ECU programming goes you can "suck and fill" info from the old ECU to the new ECU. Basically it transfers the info from the orginal ECU to the blank or already programmed ECU and either writes or rewrites the info. I am not sure if this is possible on the Mazda since I have done one yet. Another thing is even if the part numbers are the same "which is needed" I dont know if the ECU needs to be programmed with As Built Data or VIN specific Data, and this is something we need to find out. If it is As Built Data I dont know if or where I can get that from. I can easily get it for Fords but i dont know about Mazdas. If we can figure all that out and we know it should work, the other problems is how to "suck and fill" the info from one to the other without actually having the car in front of me. My idea is using my 04 6MT as a "host" and putting whom evers original ECU into my car, hook up the scanner and suck the info out then install the NEWER ECU(that we want to program) into my can a fill it with the data from the other one. This is very easy when using the car that the ECU came out of, however I dont know if the overall system in the car needs to be able to match the As Built Data or VIN specific Data from my car to the new ECU. I hope this makes sense. Basically the modules communicate with one another to make sure everything is working properly and i dont know if the modules read different As Built Data or VIN specific Data for one module to the other if they will even communicate. Some Fords it doesnt matter if all the modules have the same As Built Data or VIN specific Data and some they do. So as easy as this sounds there are alot of variables to figure out. If we can figure out the info from above and it should work then it is easy from there. If my car can be the host or whomevers everyone could send there original ECU and their new ECU to that person and have them "suck and fill" the info. The actually "suck and fill" takes practically no time at all (10-15 min). So technically we could overnight both ECU's to whomever and pay for shipping each way, have that person "suck and fill" the info and ship it back to us in about 2 days. If this works I am willing and able to help out anyone that wants to do this. But before we get ahead of ourselves we need to figure out the answers to the problems at hand. If anyone can help us out that we be great!

Spin9k

Team you're missing at least one listing from you compilation:

2004 Models
Elec Cont Unit (ECU), MT, from VIN 100xxx, ID N3H6-18-881E

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I didn't personally compile the info

Matt090712

Hi! I'm having a big problem with my rx8! Yesterday the car shut off completely wile I was driving and the ABS light came on and mainly the security theft light (car with key) started flashing. I had it towed over to my house because every time I try to start the car the security light flashes like crazy and the car won't turn on, the battery is new and is fully charged, I checked all fuses and relays and everything looks good, everything in side the car works ( stereo, door lights, dashboard, head lights), I called a guy that works for a mazda dealer and asked him to re program my key but his device couldn't connect to the car? so he told me it was the engine computer, I called the dealer and they have the ecu for $700 dlls and I don't have that much money for that. I found one on bey for $250 but it says N3ZD 18881E and my ecu has N3H6 18881E, it comes off a car from the same year and manual transmission just like mine, I would like to know if the ebay ecu can work for my car! Can someone help me please!!!!! My job is very far from my house plus I don't have a ride to get to work and I'm paying $20 dlls taxi to get to work and come back home every day!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

As long as it's the same year and model, it will work. the letters on it simply means what version of firmware was flashed to it at the time.

but even if u get it it wouldn't work, because it will not be able to communicate with any other module, all kinds of CEL will come on and depends on model if it has immobilizer your car will not even start. a dealership who knows what they are doing will be able to update it with As-Built data.

good luck with that.

Matt090712

Thanks for the info, the thing is that the guy that I know that works for a mazda dealer connected his OBDII and it came out reading LINK ERROR he said there is no connection or communication from the computer to de OBDII plus the car was running when it locked on me , the guy told me to buy a ecu and he will program it, do you guy know if he is making any sense? :

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

it does make sense, and as long as its same year and model you can flash it.

you can try to unplug the ABS module first and try to connect to the ECU again, if it connects, its ur abs that goes bad, if it still doesn't connect, just get a used ECU online.

Matt090712

Thank you nycgps!!! I can sleep now, I'll try the abs module today! God bless you!

Matt090712

Why is my rx8 not responding to the OBDII? It wount connect, it reads link error on the scanner and with a new computer says the same thing... What could be the reason why the car don't connect to the OBDII scanner? Plus it won't start because the security theft light comes on and starts flashing? Please need help it has been about a week and a half since it died on me and I need the car!!!! I checked all fuses and relays and everything is good! Someone please help!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

have you try to disconnect the ABS Module and pump first ?