Hi friends,

The shop told me the PCM was failing and I needed to take to dealer to diagnose. Well, the dealer said that I need to pay them $1000 for a new one then maybe another $1200 for a ABS module (They will let me know after).

Is it okay to pull one off a car at a junkyard? The dealer said they will put a used/aftermarket part on just won't warranty it. They still have the car and I have to pay them $150 for their diagnosis.

 

I DO NOT recomend to get a auto recycler PCM/TCM/ECU.... you would still be require to do a VIN flash or pass-through to match your vehicle. Most will not guarantee them or you get a replacement only limited exchange?

Because you live in US and Texas you would be better off to go on line and find supplier that has "remanufactured ECU that they will warrantee and in most all cases are plug-n-play.

 

Thank you for your response! I'm having trouble finding my part number (L539-18-881M - the M in particular) online, except for the $550 OEM part. Do you have any suggestions for reputable parts sites?

Since I have to give the dealer $150 to get my car back anyway, I thought I might try the $40 one from the junkyard and pay the dealer another $150 to put it on (total $300, they include the $150 if I get work done).

They said included in the price they will also program it, that was the main reason I thought it would be worth it.

 

We have used this company a couple times for other platforms. The ECU worked with no DTCs or problems. They must have at least worked a year because the customers have not returned for ECU issues. LOL

I would really consider carefully what you are doing with the dealer and all the charges that may not work out?

engine-control-modules.html

 

Yeah, I am worried about the dealer, I wouldn't be surprised if it worked and they told me it didn't!!

This car might end up being a junker but it has new tires!! So I have to try haha.

Thank you for the link - I actually saw that site and they have every letter in the alphabet EXCEPT M at the end of the part number, sadly. Another site had the exact part number but also had about 150 BBB complaints!

I could just give them a call and see when they might have it in stock. I'm not sure how long the dealer will hang on to the car so I better figure something out soon!

 

We always call them and not use their site. They do not keep it as updating as they should? You might try calling um?

 

You don't need any information with a second hand ECU/PCM. The process used by Mazda with MMDS ( their scan tool ) does all the work using the cars previous ECU & as-built data.