Lexus ISF ECU removal procedure
Do any of you know if the ECM is interchangeable with other models? ie. LS460, LS600h, GS460? I'm assuming 08-14 all have the same plug configuration? Also, is our ECM programmed to work only with our key fob, or can you buy a spare ECM, have that sent off to flash, and plug that one in when you receive it?
Just trying to figure out if I should track down a spare ecu so I don't have any down time since my F is my main source of transportation.
Just trying to figure out if I should track down a spare ecu so I don't have any down time since my F is my main source of transportation.
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Do any of you know if the ECM is interchangeable with other models? ie. LS460, LS600h, GS460? I'm assuming 08-14 all have the same plug configuration? Also, is our ECM programmed to work only with our key fob, or can you buy a spare ECM, have that sent off to flash, and plug that one in when you receive it?
Just trying to figure out if I should track down a spare ecu so I don't have any down time since my F is my main source of transportation.
Just trying to figure out if I should track down a spare ecu so I don't have any down time since my F is my main source of transportation.
Different engines, etc. AS far as the years you should try to stick with the same year you have.
The reality is, no one has tried this yet, so we're all waiting for someone to try and see what happens. I can afford down time. My Supra was forced into DD status while the F was in the shop getting body work repaired for a 6 week period.
I was able to use multiple ECUs during the testing process. My first JDM test ECU did give a CEL for the VIN but it still allowed me to start and drive the car. Every ECU from there forward was issue free in that regard.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 97
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
On newer ECUs that are designed to be reflashed, like the ISF, you find your way past the encryption and pull the kernel. That's the "OS" that controls all functions required to do its job. The various parameter maps are packaged with it.
Since they've got the ISF kernel then it would require looking at connectors and opening up a few different ECUs and seeing if the hardware is the same.
Have you compared them to know for sure? Part number alone won't tell you that. The difference of a part number will be what car it's flashed for. Rafi's software guy would be the person to ask. Based on their teaser image they've found an interface by going directly to the board.
On newer ECUs that are designed to be reflashed, like the ISF, you find your way past the encryption and pull the kernel. That's the "OS" that controls all functions required to do its job. The various parameter maps are packaged with it.
Since they've got the ISF kernel then it would require looking at connectors and opening up a few different ECUs and seeing if the hardware is the same.
On newer ECUs that are designed to be reflashed, like the ISF, you find your way past the encryption and pull the kernel. That's the "OS" that controls all functions required to do its job. The various parameter maps are packaged with it.
Since they've got the ISF kernel then it would require looking at connectors and opening up a few different ECUs and seeing if the hardware is the same.
Nothing would make me happier than being able to get an RC F engine and ECM to plug and play with my F...
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 97
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Apparently the ECM hardware between the IS F and the RC F is significantly different, so it would seem unlikely the unit will behave with different models. It's possible, but knowing Toyota, it could very easily be not possible.
Nothing would make me happier than being able to get an RC F engine and ECM to plug and play with my F...
Nothing would make me happier than being able to get an RC F engine and ECM to plug and play with my F...
So, look at another similar generation lexus ECU. Connectors the same? crack it open and see if the boards are the same. From there, see if whatever method they've devised to pull the kernel works and see if it will accept a flash or not. That will tell you what's interchangeable.
