New USB canscan from harrison
 

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/canscan_new.htm

The CANScan interface is an active CAN module for the connection to the USB bus. The CANScan allows for user configurable Filters and Acceptance Masks, user selectable CAN ID for transmitted messages, supports auto detection of the in-vehicle CAN bus and has built in functionality for processing OBD-II commd/responces with minimal Windows programming required. When used with our SAE2534 DLL ( not yet available), the CANScan is transformed into a very cost effective PCM reflashing tool for the newer CAN bus vehicles.

I just bought the CANScan unit from Harrison yesterday. Since I only have 1 USB port on my laptop, I had to go serial. Oh well. :)

PCM reflashing tool... interesting

SAE2534 dll
Software which allows re-flashing via the SAE2534 Passthrough Programming method
Price : TBD

So...forget piggybacking the system? But first we would need to find a way to get at the actual stock maps, and be able to read them as such correct?

If they can make it write to the pcm, perhaps they can make it read the maps? I know very little about such things.

I don't know how far you're going to get trying to upload a new ECU flash when the code is encrypted and Mazda isn't going to be handing anything to you....

The big thing with the new USB version that you guys seemed to have missed is it's 50% faster than the serial version. That means you'll get twice as many data points.

I'm emailing him what the upgrade will cost.

oh wow! thats pretty significant. Please post the results when you find out.

I would agree... HOWEVER, it appears that hfalex was able to modify the maps using a software program in this thread https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/370hp-roaring-%40-bologna-motorshow-47822/. Perhaps his methods and this tool could be used together to make an easy way of changing maps... only time will tell.

It will certainly be interesting when the decoding is worked out so we can flash our own maps via a CanScan or similar. It is theoretically possible, as the same OBD-II port the CanScan uses is how are cars are flashed via the WDS tool that Mazda dealerships use.

However, I suspect that Mazda will be less than enthusiastic about people doing their own maps directly into the ECU, as the potential is there to really foul things up...

yea... not to mention this is something that sounds waaaaay to good to be true :rolleyes:

Did you get a response Jason?

Update on their site:

UPDATE 1-4-2004 - We have received many questions about the Passthrough Programming capability which will be available on the CANScan-USB. The SAE-J2534 is a specification for a software/hardware interface which has the capability for reprogramming or reflashing vehicle PCM's. The software component is a "dll" or dynamic linked libary, which is a special form of a Windows program used in this case as the reprogramming interface to a Windows application. Some automakers have made available, for a very reasonable cost, the Windows application which interfaces with the J2534 dll. By using the manufactures application and our dll and hardware you can reprogram the PCM's using files supplied by the manufacturer.

Now if only Mazda would give up the goods.

I actually wrote him two emails, both times he answered my first question, but failed to answer what it would cost to upgrade. Maybe he hasn't set an upgrade price yet... I don't know.

can you program dash items- such as tps, open door-key in ignition, red line chimes??

Just got this item in the mail. i cannot get my computer to recognize it however, does anyone else have any experience in this area? The instructions say that the "add new hardware" wizard will come up, but it does not. I really would like to get this thing working. Does the other end have to be plugged into the car while installing?

The device would need to get power from somewhere. From the USB port or from the connection to the car. Some laptops have the power to the USB ports turned off in the BIOS to increase battery time. That would be the first place I would look.
By the way, did the instructions request that you install software drivers off a CD before you plug the device into the USB port?

No in fact they say to plug in the device and then use the wizard option to search in a specific spot for the drivers (their cd). Haven't tried seeing about the power, but how do i check?

It has to be plugged into the car. Gets power from the CAN bus

ok, so plug it into the car, then plug it into the computer? then install? If that doesn't work, any other ideas? Key in on position or run position? Engine running? Thanks

I assume key in run, but my laptop is on the fritz so I haven't tried it myself. So all info I have is from emailing them.


Yes, the tool does need to be connected to the car. The tool is
powered
from the vehicle and the drivers can't install unless the tool is
connected
to the OBD-II port of the car.
Sincerely
Dan Harrison

Looks like Mazda will give you the PCM code to download:

http://www.mazdatechinfo.com/home/ecmDetail.asp

Still need to bust the encryption to modify it, but can't do that without the software, so it's somewhere to start.

did anyone find out if its possible to upgrade the old units to the usb version?