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 Post subject: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:30 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:29 am
Posts: 106
Location: Albury NSW Australia
I have an '02 Aussie spec WRX (bugeye GDB model). Does anyone know if an ECU out of any '02 model (eg USDM, Euro model etc) will work? I realise that the maps may be way different (but I expect I could flash the aussie map to suit...)

Will it work? Or are ECU's not interchangable like that?

I need an Aussie '02 ECU and can't find one. But I do know where I can get a USA '02 WRX Ecu. Will the Aussie WRX's (with keypad immobiliser) be non-compatible?

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:44 am 
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Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:10 pm
Posts: 367
I don't know if it will help you in the slightest -- but -- I am using an non-immobilized 02 USDM WRX ECU (with applicable ROM) in my non-immobilized 04 USDM WRX without any issues.

ECU's and/or keys must be able to be re-mated by someone, right?

Does your car have features that we didn't get in the USDM 2L cars, such as AVCS?

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:14 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:29 am
Posts: 106
Location: Albury NSW Australia
No AVCS. As far as I know, the set up (apart from maps maybe and the immobiliser) is identical.

I think I'll take the punt and buy the USDM ECU and try it. One of 2 things will happen I reckon. 1 - The car will run fine but not have any immobiliser capability, or 2 - The car will not run until immobiliser is re-programmed.

I'll let you all know how it turns out in a couple of weeks, once the ECU arrives from the US.

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:02 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:29 am
Posts: 106
Location: Albury NSW Australia
Well, I tried the USDM bugeye ECU in my Aussie spec bugeye car, and it does not seem to work. No fuel pump on, no CEL, nothing.

Tried communicating with the ECU via romraider using the aussie spec and USDM selections and nothing either.

Hmmmmm.....I wonder why.........different pinouts? The immobiliser interferes?

Any suggestions what I could try to get the ECU to work? :?:

cheers guys......

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:15 am 
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Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:09 am
Posts: 644
Location: Brisbane, Australia
I reckon you'll need to get the keys recoded before you see any life out of it. Cost me about $40 AUD to get it done when I swapped my ECU.

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2008 2:06 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:29 am
Posts: 106
Location: Albury NSW Australia
Any contact on getting the keys recoded? Do I just go to Subaru? And by 'keys', you mean the physical ignition keys or some other kind of software key? Your lead is the only one I've got so far........

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2008 3:29 am 
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RomRaider Developer
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Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:09 am
Posts: 644
Location: Brisbane, Australia
renhoek wrote:
Any contact on getting the keys recoded? Do I just go to Subaru? And by 'keys', you mean the physical ignition keys or some other kind of software key? Your lead is the only one I've got so far........


I swapped my original ecutek'd ecu for a stock one. To do this I took the car to the local subaru dealer with the Ecutek ecu still installed. I then swapped the ecu's in the dealer carpark and gave the keys (yes the physical car keys) to the dealer service guys. They did whatever they have to do to let the keys talk to the new ecu/immobiliser and I drove out about 30mins later and $40 lighter with a stock ecu. Pretty simple.

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 Post subject: Re: ECU interchangability - Can a USDM ECU work in an Aussie WRX
PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2008 3:42 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:29 am
Posts: 106
Location: Albury NSW Australia
Thanks Paul. I'll have a chat with the guys here in Albury. Maybe they can re-key this USDM ecu.

Thank you very much for giving me the tip. :mrgreen:

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