VR ECU compatibility

S

skyscrapergirl

Guest
Hi guys, new to the forum and have a question that's probably a stupid one, but Mitsubishi are giving me the runaround so..

My 08 VR lancer caught on fire last year and damaged the wiring, fusebox and ECU. I've finally managed to source all three parts from another 08 VR but I'm unsure as to what I have to do to the ECU to make it work in my car. Does it just need to be reprogrammed or do I need to replace any other parts along with it, and also, will Mitsubishi reprogram a used ECU to match my car's code (they say i need to replace the cars locks and immobiliser ECU as well)? I've endlessly googled it and obviously people use second hand ones, but I wasn't sure if they are flashing the ECU themselves or taking it to Mitsubishi.

Any help would be great, thank you!
 
Always better to take it back to mitsu if it's mitsu stock and not an aftermarket ecu
 
Good question and probably not one that's really been encountered much yet. There are several ECUs in the car that I was under the impression all need to have matching identification info to allow the car to start (3 main ones are the ECU, ETACS-ECU and whatever they call the ECU for the keyless entry). I would have thought they can reprogram it but you'd need the computer tool that only Mitubishi dealers have. Best advice would be to try ringing around dealers until you start getting some useable info...
 
Just thought to check the workshop manual (the exact same info these dealer clowns have on hand) and it actually has the answers and basically the dealer needs to ensure the WCM-ECU (keyless entry), ECU and ETACS-ECU (body control module/fusebox) are all correctly coded for the VIN of the car using the MUT-III tool.

Hope this helps.
 

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Thank you so much for your help Ryan!

So basically, if I have the ecu, fusebox and immobiliser ecu/keyless entry (including all keys) from a wreck car, I can put them into mine and have mitsu code everything to my vin? I have already approached my nearest dealer with the proposition and the guy there kept telling me that he couldn't guarantee it will work even after they code the car properly...and that i should have bought 'genuine mitsu parts from them' (even though i repetitively told them the parts i got were genuine), so not sure what to think of that. technically, i don't see any reason why it won't work as long as everything is functioning properly in the car but then again, my knowledge is fairly limited.

i really appreciate your help on this, thank you!!
 
Technically i cant see why it wont work, if all the damaged parts are replaced and recoded it should fire right up

However.. *poo* like this, ushally the manufacturer will make very minor changes throught production, use different part numbers and have different numbers and codes on the ecu. Dont ask me why because i think its stupid.

So you could have some compatabilty issues, but since youv got it from same year/model you should be in luck, but nothing garuteed untill you take it in and let them have a crack at re coding it
 
Well going off that info if you are replacing all three then the VINs will match on the ECUs and car should start but you aren't gonna know for sure til you try.

Otherwise you have to replace one ECU, reprogram its VIN, and then repeat twice for the other two ECUs as that workshop info says to replace only one at a time if the VIN doesn't match. But yes you are right the dealer can do it, they just wanna fleece money for a new part...probably thousands for a new ECU knowing the way MMAL like to mark up spares.

Oliver that's because their engineers are constantly working to improve their cars and iron out any issues. No point selling a 2013 Lancer that's got all the same quirks and no refinements from the 2008 one....
 
This has been incredibly helpful, thank you to you both. I'll probably be taking it in to mitsu in a month or so, when i do i will post here with what happens...i'm sure there are other people out there with the same question! Fingers crossed it all goes well :D
 
81gl said:
skyscrapergirl said:
My 08 VR lancer caught on fire last year
Click to expand...

...ok, I'll ask. What happened?
Click to expand...

i bought the car hail damaged after the huge storm in perth a couple years back, and late last year it randomly caught fire behind the glovebox while i was driving it. turns out whoever owned it before me dodgily wired some connecter from the cigarette lighter through the dash to the back of the glovebox and i never knew it was there. the guys at mitsu (i took it there after to find the cause of the fire) thought i was lying when i said i didn't know about it. luck of the draw i guess!
 
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