Smutterbutter

As far as I can tell everything on the car is original. I got a replacement alternator from NAPA, and put a S2 starter on it. It has a S2 transmission too with a little modification to the neutral and reverse wiring to jive with the S1 harness which was left intact.

I've found a couple PCM's on ebay with the exact Part #(N3H6-18-881K) as mine. There are others with almost the same part # except the last letter is usually a J,M,H. Still trying to determine if those would be able to be used to copy the data over to from my PCM...

ASH8

Smutter...

OK, sorry about the details I gave you which were correct for a OEM 'new' REPLACEMENT ECU/PCM., from Mazda for your VIN # which is only sold now as a reman through them.

I will always default to OEM, as it is just too difficult to 'guess' what an owner wants or is asking.

Now, IF you want to go used, junk yard, part out (or off eBay) that is a different matter.

Yes, your original ECU was N3Z2-18-881K or N3Z2-18-881J (new superseded #) according to Mazda latest EPC when made (from Sept 22, 2003 to Feb 4, 2004 production), which then supersedes to the reman number I sent you N3ZD-18-881R0J, IF you went to buy from any US Mazda Dealer.

N3H6-18-881K does not show up in any of todays EPC's., an N3H6-18-881 'A' does (online) which again supersedes to the reman unit number I gave you.

Mazda (Japan) have done some 'funny buggas' with their EPC's, the Early 2004 S1 had N3H6 fitted in the them and in early Parts Books, but the later Electronic updated EPC ONLY shows N3Z2-18-881?, as ever being used from day 1 of production for your model, (N3H6 does not now exist).

I know it sounds confusing, but you will be fine IF you locate the same used ECU with the same Part Number TAG # physically on the used part.

You will have to have it re-programmed with Mazda IDS with your Immobilizer and IC, take your TWO (or all keys with you)..

Anything in electronics today (since OBD II) is just a parts nightmare as there are 100's of listings for ECU's and updates over the life of a model generation.

I know it sounds contradictory but in Mazda Parts you can not always go by what is physically stuck on the original factory fitted part and think it is the same part number as/for a new replacement part.

Again sorry I did not mean to confuse.

Smutterbutter

Holy hell that is confusing stuff. Unnecessarily so it would seem. Anyway, got lucky and scored a N3H6-18-881K from a part out here on the forum. I'll be sending both mine and the hopefully fully functional used one to Circuit Board Medics to see what they can do, fingers crossed.

Smutterbutter

UPDATE! Been awhile since I've posted here, selling a bunch of stuff off, including the car so I thought I'd bring the thread up to present day. Its been over 2 years and over 10k miles on the car since I last posted. Its been mainly a good weather, weekend car. Never got a compression test but the thing pulls pretty damn hard for a 190whp car. Still has a funny idle which I never was able to solve but mainly because I just lost interest overtime. Has never let me down, starts hot, starts cold everytime. Just had all the airbag, fuel tank, and control arm recalls done at Mazda too. It's been a blast, revving to 9k never, ever, EVER gets old in this car. That rotary sound is spectacular and I will miss it. Just ready to move on and start a new project. For sale thread incoming, parts already posted.