Hi everyone, I have my rx8 sitting outside with a partial rebuilt. I finally found a major issue why it cranks but wont start. the issue is my ECU is shot. So going forward. Its either I forget this car or I try and see if I can do this with vary little experiece. I have put so much into it. interior, exterior, new radiator, all new ignition system (twice) starter, fuel pump. and 7months ago a partial rebuild and the list goes on. I dont know if the numbers are even good to go to a dealer to program the donor ECU so ( there is a reason why it was sitting so long) Anyways I really dont want to spend a crap load more and then do a compression test and it sucks. ( i have a rotary compression tester.

My plan would be using the tools I have below. I was curios if anyone has tackled a ECU swap. Im not worried about it not having an alarm system, i have two keys transponder to orig vehicle ECU . i wonder is there a way to use the present system on the donor ECU and change the vin to my number? I am willing and know ill need extra funds to purchase software and keys i dunno. any input would help me alot. thanks all.

1.purchased a USED exact same ECU with serial nbr as my original
2 Veepeak USB OBD2 Adapter
3.Laptop with windows 10
4.meters,tools and time.
this is a 2005 RX8 TOURING model A/T

 

I'm not sure you can do much without the dealer. The ECU and the key cylinder need to be coded together.

 

oh ok. I better not chance it. seems like i keep digging a whole with the car. Thanks loki.

 

You need the "as built" data to configure the CAN modules and the ECU.

It can be done with aftermarket programming tools... but it is a lot more difficult than with the Dealer iDS. Unless you know a lot about programming ( and if you are asking these questions 😏 )the dealer is the only way...

 

Ok Danobre..thats exactly the kind of help im needing. I wish it was a stick....but i have a lil TT audi that makes up for what iim lacking in drivability.

 

So Danobre can this be done from Hawaii? im in COlorado atm

 

A Mazda or Ford dealer should be able to do it.... the tools are the same

 

it can...just went to site.

 

You should be able to configure your replacement ecu for your car with FORScan. No coding skills required.

https://forscan.org/home.html

 

i got the forscan. awsome.. ive also been researching this was looking at bypassing imobilizer and putting in the exact match ecu .... but then keys may not work...