Need New Computer...Questions...
- Thread starter Foppa
- Start date
MazdaSpeeder
Member
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- Protege5 (5-spd)
Are you sure you need one? (not trying to be a jerk, just asking) Did a mechanic tell you that, because I have seen several guys go looking for an ecu when they didn't need one. Check out car-part.com. You can get an ECU on there pretty cheap. Good luck.
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- Completely Stock P5
ECU's VERY rarely fail. In fact, the only time I've seen it was because the car was in a flood and the ECU was submurged for about 3 days.
Unfortunately, I don't know if I really need one or not. I've been having "not ready" issues with the OBD2 for a couple years. No indications of a problem, no check engine light. For the first year all I kept hearing from mechanics, mazda, and my state's pollution department is to keep driving it and eventually the OBD2 will be ready. Went several thousand miles and nothing.
I finally had a mechanic look into it deeper and they said they MAY have found a problem in one of my wiring harnesses, but said they weren't certain it would fix my problem. They told me if that didn't work, the next step would be to change the computer. The computer is a much cheaper option, so I thought I might start with it first.
I only go into so much detail in hopes that someone has a suggestion/remedy for me, who may have had a similar problem.
I've heard that a lot, but not sure what else to try. My car was in a front collision before I bought it and was a rebuilt title and did have a small electrical problem shortly after I bought it, but maybe that's just the wiring harness problem that the mechanic said they may have found.
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- Completely Stock P5
Usually when you find a problem, you fix it. You don't say you found it and leave it alone.
It's a write off? Yeeeesssshhhh.... This could get messy!
It's a write off? Yeeeesssshhhh.... This could get messy!
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
PM sent about possible donor ecu..................
MazdaSpeeder
Member
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- Protege5 (5-spd)
In that case, it's probably worth trying a different ECU, but I have a feeling it is another problem. Keep us updated.
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
The one I have has 5MAB EEC-V MAZ-403 FSAR-18881 2ALU-12A650-DB *N7DACBPW6CRF* markings all on the bar code sticker on harness plug & 5MAB FSAR- NPEF 201311 on the smaller bar code sticker on the other end of it. Other than that it's just a silver flat box.
How do I get to the computer so I can check mine?
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
Your ECU is under your floor carpet in the foot well close to the fire wall on the passenger side.. Personally I would find someone in your area that has another pro and see if you coudl swap out ECus for a few min just to test.
edit: follow these instructions to get to it
http://www.unichip.us/system/upload...tions/1320011.0 Installation Instructions.pdf
edit: follow these instructions to get to it
http://www.unichip.us/system/upload...tions/1320011.0 Installation Instructions.pdf
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
Thinking the 03 sportautos have FSBB-1881-C but doublecheck yours and let me know. If the FSAR-1881 is what you have now, you can have the one I have for shipping cost.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
if I could give you rep points I would! Way to step up and help out a forum member!
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
I've adopted an anti-hoarding policy of late for some things I have had too long and will not be using for both my car and the Tacoma. This would be one of those, lol..................Still holding out hope on eventually hacking my wiring harness to hook up the NA MPI Tuner, flying miata voltage clamp, Innovate wbo2 & gauge with 2nd OBX header with 3rd bung that I have had for couple of yrs now to start playing around with fuel maps & timing but I'm lazy like that, lol. Got distracted in 09 with a Tacoma prerunner that needed all kinda mods and still does.........................just can't leave s*** alone.
Oops, so I was looking over the notes my mechanic made on the invoice and he actually said the PCM might be the problem, not the ECU like I thought he said.
Since many have said that ECUs rarely go out, does that sound more probable that it could be the PCM or are those going out just as rare? Also, is it worse that it's the PCM than the ECU? (worse, as in more expensive to replace).
Since many have said that ECUs rarely go out, does that sound more probable that it could be the PCM or are those going out just as rare? Also, is it worse that it's the PCM than the ECU? (worse, as in more expensive to replace).
Anyone happen to know?
