R50/53 Can you put a used ECM in an 06 R53?
#1
Can you put a used ECM in an 06 R53?
So it appears I will need an ECM in my 06 MCS. The dealer wants $2100 to do the job. I have heard you can put a used ECM in after having it reflashed, I have also heard it isn't possible.
Anyone have experience with this, and who dod you use to get the reflash done?
Anyone have experience with this, and who dod you use to get the reflash done?
#2
Yes and no.
According the MINI, it is not possible because the VIN is coded into the ECU and cannot be changed with any sort of reflashing. If the VIN stored in the ECU doesn't match the VIN in the EWS module, then the car will not start.
The obvious work around here is to replace both modules that come from the same donor car.
Alternatively, you can find a specialist who will reflash the new ECU to disable the immobilizer, thus allowing the car to be started despite the VIN mismatch. The caveat to all of this is that the instrument cluster might not like the VIN mismatch that it sees.
I'd suggest calling several dealers to get a quote on the ECU alone ( no labor ). Then, find and indy shop that knows BMWs/MINIs and can do the work for you. I know the ECU isn't cheap, but the labor is. $2100 sounds pretty high.
According the MINI, it is not possible because the VIN is coded into the ECU and cannot be changed with any sort of reflashing. If the VIN stored in the ECU doesn't match the VIN in the EWS module, then the car will not start.
The obvious work around here is to replace both modules that come from the same donor car.
Alternatively, you can find a specialist who will reflash the new ECU to disable the immobilizer, thus allowing the car to be started despite the VIN mismatch. The caveat to all of this is that the instrument cluster might not like the VIN mismatch that it sees.
I'd suggest calling several dealers to get a quote on the ECU alone ( no labor ). Then, find and indy shop that knows BMWs/MINIs and can do the work for you. I know the ECU isn't cheap, but the labor is. $2100 sounds pretty high.
#3
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Be sure to record the VIN of the donor car. Keys programmed by MINI I'm guessing are around $300 each. Can you get key from donor car as well? I think the sensor for the door unlock-remote part of the key is in the rear view mirror... but I don't think that part is as difficult to program... Sorry I only left you with more questions and not much for answers- just throwing some thoughts out there.
#5
If you get the keys from the donor car...
you can just move the tiny RFID chip.... looks like a grain of rice from the donor keys...this chip is what the cars ews reads....it is passive, and just glued into the key.
The receiver in the rear-view JUST receives key-less entry...from the chip with the battery in the key...a separate system.
I second the ask around.....some bmw's shops can do programming these days.....might not be AS pricey as the first quote.
you can just move the tiny RFID chip.... looks like a grain of rice from the donor keys...this chip is what the cars ews reads....it is passive, and just glued into the key.
The receiver in the rear-view JUST receives key-less entry...from the chip with the battery in the key...a separate system.
I second the ask around.....some bmw's shops can do programming these days.....might not be AS pricey as the first quote.
#6
So, I got an ECM, Immobilizer, Key cylinder and Key, Speedo and BCM all from the same car and swapped them into my car. Car starts and seems to run fine. Only thing I noticed is the Xenon headlights will flash after 10 seconds or once I rev the motor. With the car off, key on, the headlights are fine so I know the Xenon controller is working. I am wondering if the Immobilizer isnt liking something
#7
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#9
I changed the BCM back to my original and the headlights are functioning normally again. I do still have a CEL and the DSC and TPMS lights are lit. I am going to scan it tomorrow and see what it says. I also noticed that I now only have temp and speed readouts on the LCD display on my tach, where I had MPG, range to empty, and all the other functions before. That must be from changing the speedo...
#12
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Hi All,
A quick thread hi-jack
I'm in a similar situation as HawkeyeKris, although mine isn't critical.
I've just bought a 2006 MCS wreck with the view to transplanting what I can into my 2002 MCS.
Ideally I'd like to just transplant the drivetrain (for lower mileage, improved supercharger and LSD).
To do this I think I would need the donor's ECU (ECM) to get the full benifits of the newer drivetrain.
From this thread it appears that the VIN is encoded into that ECU, so this will not match what's programmed into the 2002 MCS (Body Control module (BC1)).
This means I'll need to also transplant the BC1 or have the ECU reprogrammed with the 2002 VIN. Does anyone know whether this can be done by a main dealer or will they have possible theft or vehicle ghosting issues preventing them carrying out such a reprogram?
Any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Dave
A quick thread hi-jack
I'm in a similar situation as HawkeyeKris, although mine isn't critical.
I've just bought a 2006 MCS wreck with the view to transplanting what I can into my 2002 MCS.
Ideally I'd like to just transplant the drivetrain (for lower mileage, improved supercharger and LSD).
To do this I think I would need the donor's ECU (ECM) to get the full benifits of the newer drivetrain.
From this thread it appears that the VIN is encoded into that ECU, so this will not match what's programmed into the 2002 MCS (Body Control module (BC1)).
This means I'll need to also transplant the BC1 or have the ECU reprogrammed with the 2002 VIN. Does anyone know whether this can be done by a main dealer or will they have possible theft or vehicle ghosting issues preventing them carrying out such a reprogram?
Any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Dave
Last edited by Dave Elliott; 01-09-2014 at 05:36 AM.
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