Mazda5 2012 cabin filter replacement - need to remove ECU 1st?

[nessir]

I couldn't find any info on how to remove the 2012 M5 aircon's cabin filter. The previous model seems simpler to do. But not for this model I think.

On the right side (mine is right hand drive), the power-MOSFET unit can be removed but I only can touch the filters inside through the hole. There is no way to pull out the filters as the hole is just enough for my 4 fingers..

On the left side, there is a black plastic cover with 4 screws as circled in picture attached. I believe the filters could be removed there. But the white box (ECU or BCM unit) is blocking the way.

Do we need to remove the ECU first? If such, this could be the worst cabin filter replacement I've ever heard. My previous honda civic could be done in less than 1 minute...

Thanks in advance.

 

[ukulele]

You know I was about to find out where my cabin filter was, but looking at these pics, I can't imagine Mazda went ape s*** with hiding the filter. In most U.S. models it's somewhere behind the glove compartment, my old Yaris was left-hand drive but for the Japanese market it's a right-hand drive car, but the cabin filter was behind the glove compartment anyway, using CAD program, it would just flip the entire layout so I would ASSUME the cabin filter would still be located behind the glove compartment on the left side??

 

[nessir]

The filters are located in the middle of aircond unit, not on left of right of it.
If I were the engineer, I would flip the filter's opening to the right-side. Even using the free Google SketchUp could be done.

Here is the aircond layout;

 

[pssojack]

I just replaced mine last month. Need to move body ECU out. Once it is out of the way, the filters can slide out easily.

 

[Vasy]

No need.
Here is the how-to: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...-filter-in-2012-mazda-5&p=6168879#post6168879