Tools needed-

Work light
Long shafted narrow head flat screwdriver.
10mm socket and driver
Phillips head screwdriver.

optional-

scribe
small screwdriver(one of those little ones you can clip in your shirt pocket)
needle nose pliers

1. Remove the hose from the clip circled in red. Then remove battery cover by popping the latches, located just below the hose and by the white bottle at the bottom of this picture

 

2. Remove the hose from the clip circled on the right of this first picture. Pull/pry the wire clips from the spots circled at the top and bottom. Then using the 10mm socket remove the 3 bolts

note- About those clips holding the wire harnesses. I just pried them up with a screwdriver and then yanked them out. you may be able to pinch them from the bottom with needle nose to make it easier.

3. Using a long shafted flat head screwdriver pry open the 2 clips on the wheel side of the lid shown in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. Remove the cover.

 

4. Using a 10mm socket remove the 3 bolts circled in the first picture.

5. Using a flat head screwdriver carefully remove the 5 plugs from the pcm. Just push the tab down and pry them out. No need to mark them or try to remember where they go, as they are each different and only fit their own socket.

 

6. With a scribe or small flat head driver carefully pry back the clips holding the cooling ducts and pull them apart. It’s hard to see where the one on the left connects. But do the one on the right (in the first picture) and then you’ll know what you are looking for the left one. Sorry no picture with it apart

7. Lift the PCM and case out of the box. With a Phillips head screwdriver remove the brackets shown in the shown in the second picture.

 

8. Slide the pcm out of the case


Re-install in reverse order

 

Why are you taking it out

 

^^^^

what he said.

beers

 

To make the car lighter.
Even faster in the twisties!

 

Are the PCM"s interchangeable between cars ? or do they have to be reprogramed ?

Can you get blank ones ? what cost

 

yes it is lighter- takes away that front weight bias making it truly 50-50

no- because of the immobiliser and possibly the can network. if you wiped the immobiliser possibly. only if mazda or denso will sell you one. have no idea- denso gives me the run around.

 

funny thing is i took these as i was re-installing it. i had forgotten about taking the pics when i was taking it out. my wife suggested i do a diy on how to INSTALL a pcm and then as the last step say "un-install in reverse order"

 

Stupid Question.
I didn't read anywhere that you disconnected the batt.

Any problem if the battery is still connected when the PCM is removed?

 

but how much lighter are we talking about?....is it good to just take it out or replace it with aftermarket one?....sorry for the ignorance but i dont even know what a PCM is...jeje

 

i did not disconnect the battery. i cant see how you would arc or anything while doing the removal but you could disconnect the Batttery just in case.


superman- the lightness thing is a joke. the PCM is the Powertrain Control Module. otherwis eknown as the computer that controls the car- the car's brain. you cannot replace it with an aftermarket.

You dont just take it out obviously. If you have a need to remove it this is how you do it. Otherwise let it be

 

Mine has had to be taken out because diagnostic equipment has said it was bad. I sent it to be reprogrammed and it checked good. Once it was put back in it was fine. I personally believe that there is a bad connection between it's harnesses and the cpm. Reasonably sure it will have to come out again.