You will need to reprogram your immobilizer and cluster as the VIN is registered in those areas.

You can try by getting the immobilizer and cluster from the donor and swap them out.

 

Do you mean I would have to program the "donor" vin into those areas? If I get the cluster and immobilizer I would have to get the key from the donor car as well? I am not looking to replace all the components, I am just wondering if the vin can be changed in the used ECU, or if they have to program everything to match the ecu vin; as the dealer is not sure, and I hate to have to tow the car there only to have them fail at programming the car.

 

Really don't think that the ECU has the VIN.

Right now, you car does not start because the immobilizer protection that is distributed in 3 areas ECU, Cluster and Immobilizer unit itself paired with the key transponder.

Any change of any of these components will trigger a "no start" situation.

Unless you use the matching components mentioned above from the donor, your car would not start without programming.
Also, you can try the dealer with a different approach. Try asking your dealer to reprogram your keys. that will synchronize the keys with the units and it should start.

Unfortunately, you cant disable the immobilizer feature.

 

Ok thank you I just know that when I have the used computer plugged in my code scanner shows the other VIN when I get to that menu. I get no information with the "wet" one and the car will not even turn over. Guess I will have to make a trip to the dealer to see what they can do.

 

Good luck

 

I don't know the details of your ECU getting wet. Was it salt water? If fresh, have you tried opening up the unit and drying it out. Was it filthy fresh water? Open the unit, wash with distilled water, dry???

Circuits can be wet with fresh water and, if dried promptly, work just fine.

As I've said, I don't know the details of your situation. Good luck with all of this.

 

It was fresh water, but there looks to be some corrosion on the board, I tried to clean it, but it still doesn't work. With the old computer the car will not even turn over, but with the new it is just won't start (immobilizer).

 

Why make this harder than it is?
The ECU is programmed in the factory with your VIN. Other than that, it's basically identical to other ECUs for the same model.

Therefore, it should be possible to reprogram the ECU with a different VIN.
Your dealer should be able to do this.

 

I agree this should be an easy thing to do, my dealer has never tried this(they have only programmed a new ecu) and I just wanted to see if anyone else has ever had this experience in the past. I hate to have the car towed to the dealer only to have them not be able to fix and and still charge me for working on it.

 

There may a difference between what's technically possible, what's practically possible, what's legal, applicable Subaru policies, and a particular dealer's business model.

I would think that dealers have had to replace and/or reprogram ECU's, so there must be an authorized Subaru ECU replacement procedure that complies with Federal laws. For example, in the U.S., a modern car's ECU is covered by a Federal emissions warranty for eight years or 80K miles, and some states' warranties for PZEV-certified cars is up to 15 years / 150K miles.

IIRC, Subaru is required to sell PZEV-equipped Foresters in Pennsylvania, but PA doesn't enforce the associated extended warranty (i.e., per New Jersey and New York).

Whether a Subaru dealer be willing to install and warrant a third-party supplied used ECU may be another matter...

Is the water-damaged ECU not covered by your insurance?

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Whether a Subaru dealer be willing to install and warrant a third-party supplied used ECU may be another matter...

I agree that this will probably be an issue.

It's technically possible, providing your dealer has the right tools, but I'd understand if he would refuse flashing an ECU that's not originally yours.

Quote from iwsti.com :

Subaru needs a special cartridge for their tool in order to change this information on the ECU. This cartridge, available through Kent-Moore, is NOT available to the public. This suggests to me some type of encryption and/or special routines.

( Full thread here : How to have a used ECU on-hand and ready - Subaru Impreza WRX STI Forums: IWSTI.com )

As crewzer said, maybe your insurance can help you out.

 

Thanks for the information, I do have a bill of sale with the VIN from the used ECU.

I bought the car with the damage so insurance is not an option.

I am going to give my dealer all this information and see if they want to attempt to program it, if not I guess I can try another dealer.

 

I had to purchase a brand new one had my dealer program it for me. They cut me a deal, so I don't feel that overly bad. It was more than my used one, but brand new and program 100% for my car.

 

So it works ? And how much was the ecu with programming?

 

That tactic didn't work with my Forester that had a used ECU installed. Dealer states 'unable to program a used ECU'. Very frustrating as I only have 1 ignition key.

 

@crazycraig,
Reply please as to the cost from the dealer for a new programmed ecu

 

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Wow, this was so long ago I do not remember what it cost. I had a "reseller" account with my local dealership, who was also a friend, so whatever I paid may have been a lot less than what everyone else would have paid. I towed the car to the dealership myself as I owned a repair shop a the time. Good luck to everyone else who needs to get this done as well.