Engine/Power - EJ25T (STI and 2006+ WRX) Discussions about the USDM 2006+ WRX and WRX STi 2.5 liter turbo flat-four.

Trying a Different ECU?

Old May 14, 2008 | 09:55 AM
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Trying a Different ECU?

Right now I'm having some immobilizer problems with my car. I have a 1998 Impreza RS with a full 2006 wrx swap.
I've put basically everything from the 06 (bought a wrecked car and stripped it) into my 98. I even used the entire harness and all the necessary parts for the immobilizer so i know nothing is missing and just spliced at the connector for the few things that need to be spliced (like headlights, taillights, the doors etc).

My problem right now is that the car does not start, and I have a pretty good idea that it is definitely the immobilizer.

My question is this: Since the immobilizer was installed on all the subarus from 05 and newer, would it be possible to put a 2004 Forester xt (same engine) ECU in the car to see if it would run (no immobilizer so no problem there)? I understand some pins might have to be moved around in order for it to work right, but would this work?
Old May 14, 2008 | 11:51 AM
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No.
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 09:48 AM
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With paul's efficient use of words it's no wonder he has so many posts under his belt
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by loccomoffo
With paul's efficient use of words it's no wonder he has so many posts under his belt
Sorry, I'm often accused of being too verbose.

If I understand Rizzo's project, he did not install the complete harness from the donor vehicle.
If this is the case, the immobilizer will not work correctly, preventing the car from being started.
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 08:34 PM
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The question is whether using a 04 Forester XT ECU to run a 06 WRX engine would work. Thus eliminating the immobilizer issue to test whether this is the problem.

Originally Posted by salvator_rizzo
would it be possible to put a 2004 Forester xt (same engine) ECU in the car to see if it would run (no immobilizer so no problem there)?
So basically do these cars use an identical engine, turbo, sensor setup, etc

Rizzo do you get to keep the Forrester ECU?

.
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 08:52 PM
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i think paul knows what he is talking about...
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by wrxisthebest
i think paul knows what he is talking about...
+1 Paul knows his stuff.
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 08:32 AM
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Not really....but I did stay in a Holiday Express last night.

I'm not knocking Rizzo, but with the information I've read in his posts (going from memeory now, so I could be wrong), he blended the donor harness into the project car.

In addition, I believe he's indicated that the dealer would not reprogram all the keys to the ecm, bcm, alarm.

That's a big problem.

Plus, if you pin out the two different ECMs, you'll see that they are very different.
For example, I just looked at the schematics for the fuel injectors.
The 2004 XT FIs come from connector B134, while the 06(?) WRX comes from connector B137.

Yes, the four connectors that fit into both ECMs are the same between the two different cars & will fit, the wires go to different components in the car.

As this only begins to scratch the surface of why his car won't start, I chose to use the simple response of "No".
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 08:47 AM
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Hey guys I wasn't questioning Paul's knowledge, no need to stick up for him I'm sure he appreciates your support though. And me making a comment about the lack of explenation in teh answer which other people might be interested in now or in the future dug up that Paul didn't understand the question properly, so all is good

Also the original question still hasn't been answered:

can a 04 Forester XT ECU run a 06 WRX engine

From what Rizzo wrote, I think he knows he needs to re solder a few wires around to make the right components match the right pins on the new ECU.
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by loccomoffo
Hey guys I wasn't questioning Paul's knowledge, no need to stick up for him I'm sure he appreciates your support though. And me making a comment about the lack of explenation in teh answer which other people might be interested in now or in the future dug up that Paul didn't understand the question properly, so all is good

Also the original question still hasn't been answered:

can a 04 Forester XT ECU run a 06 WRX engine

From what Rizzo wrote, I think he knows he needs to re solder a few wires around to make the right components match the right pins on the new ECU.
It's cool...I didn't take it as an attack.

There's more to it than just soldering a few wires. I'd suggest to correctly rectify the original 06 ECM swap.
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