does anyone know how to replace this ecu? Mine went bad and had to buy a knew one..

 

its located under the ECU.

 

i need to learn how to read.. edited to remove unhelpful post

 

well where exactly is the ECU located?

 

next to the radiator overflow bottle

 

Just curious, but how do you know it is bad?

Usually EPS failure is the intermediate wiring harness between the module and the torque sensor.

Just seems odd that you're sure it is bad, but don't know where it is located.

 

^..............agree.
Most times this is just due to having coolant run out of the overflow tube and onto the PS connectors.
Where did the OP go?
Needs to answer how he/she knows it's bad.

 

probably just another noob.

search is ur friend.

 

Yes, i tried disconnecting and cleaning the harnesses but it did not help.

 

search didn't help me at all.

 

u know u can just test the thing out with a multi-meter u know ?

 

the harnesses or actual ecu?

 

Unless I missed something in the manual, the power steering is electric and requires no ecu. If you checked under the Power Steering search you would have seen that the harness is subject to failure. I ended up having it wired direct and did away with the electrical plugs. Never had a problem since.

 

Yes i am aware that it is all electrical, but an ECU powers. From mazda, part is roughly 1,500 dollars. I purchased one of a salvage RX-8 and hoping to replace it. i just cant find where the ECU is anywhere

 

Look in the pic that I provided. It is the cover on the far left. I don't expect this to work and each ECU is common only to that car. There may be a way to have the dealer reflash it to yours. Be sure and disconnect the battery before playing with the ECU.

 

thankss everyone. replaced the ECU and it is working again. it sure does feel good to have power steering again...

 

I'll be dammed.....you are the first one I have heard of that replace the ECU and the car still worked with out reflashing. I guess there is a first time for everything. Sure would like to know how you determined it was the ECU. Might want to do a diy on the testing that showed you what was wrong.....

 

Remember Phil.....there is the ECU and then there is the power steering module(ECU). That is located below what you and I would normally call the ECU. The power steering module really isn't car specific.

 

You do know that the module for the EPS is separate from the main ECU... right?

 

DAMN IT Mazurfer... beat me to it!

 

First time for everything....right?

 

Yeah yeah yeah

I took this pic awhile ago of the two next to each other.
Main PCM/ECU on the left and EPS Module on the right:

 

I know this thread is pretty old but I am having EPS issues myself. I’ve already replaced the rack and the harness and the shop that’s been working on it says they it’s the module that’s now the issue. They claim they can’t work on it because it requires the dealer. Can I replace just the PS module myself or must the dealer be involved? Thanks!

 

you can physically replace it, but the dealer or someone with the proper equipment will need to initialize the module to be recognized on the CanBus communication network.

 

Thanks! If I were to replace it before taking it to the dealer, are all eps modules compatible or is there model year/VIN specificity? I’m planning on buying a used one