Installing a New ECU Question - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

hotrod1442 · 10-05-2026, 11:49 PM

I have a 2013 FR-S that has been tripping P000A, and P0016 codes, after replacing all the cam phasers (did them all to be on the safe side), timing chains/tensioners, oil control valves, and cam position sensors, I'm still getting the P000A. P0016 codes.

After doing some research on this it seems like the next step would be to replace the ECU.

My question is if I purchase a new OEM ECU, is it a direct "plug & play" deal, or does the new ECU need some programming to get up and running again?

smackrel · 10-06-2026, 10:38 AM

At the very least, I'm pretty sure your keys will need to be programmed to it, but hopefully someone more in the know will have a definitive answer.

callisto · 10-07-2026, 05:01 AM

The exact part number printed on your ECU will, if bought from a dealer, come with the exact software you have now. You’ll still need to go through the ECU replacement immobilizer process, though. It may be lower risk for you to pay someone to do this for you.

hotrod1442 · 10-11-2026, 02:03 PM

Thanks for your response/input

callisto · 10-12-2026, 03:23 AM

Yeah! I'm sorry, I think I was having a bad day, I'm looking at that and I owe you a better reply —

If you look up on the forum for the ECU immobilizer pairing process, it is essentially "jumper two OBD pins and put your keyfob in front of the engine start button for a hard minimum of 30 full minutes", and it does work reliably enough that many of us have DIY'd it due to bricking our ECUs over time through tuning etc.

10-05-2026, 11:49 PM	#1
hotrod1442 Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Drives: 2013 FRS's (Hot Lava/GMetal Grey) Location: Canada Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Installing a New ECU Question I have a 2013 FR-S that has been tripping P000A, and P0016 codes, after replacing all the cam phasers (did them all to be on the safe side), timing chains/tensioners, oil control valves, and cam position sensors, I'm still getting the P000A. P0016 codes. After doing some research on this it seems like the next step would be to replace the ECU. My question is if I purchase a new OEM ECU, is it a direct "plug & play" deal, or does the new ECU need some programming to get up and running again?

10-06-2026, 10:38 AM	#2
smackrel Full Throttle! Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: 17 CBSP Limited PP Location: TPA Posts: 133 Thanks: 122 Thanked 47 Times in 39 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	At the very least, I'm pretty sure your keys will need to be programmed to it, but hopefully someone more in the know will have a definitive answer. Last edited by smackrel; 10-06-2026 at 10:39 AM. Reason: a word

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10-07-2026, 05:01 AM	#3
callisto Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: 2019 Subaru BRZ Location: PNW, US Posts: 123 Thanks: 99 Thanked 109 Times in 56 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s)	The exact part number printed on your ECU will, if bought from a dealer, come with the exact software you have now. You’ll still need to go through the ECU replacement immobilizer process, though. It may be lower risk for you to pay someone to do this for you.

10-11-2026, 02:03 PM	#4
hotrod1442 Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Drives: 2013 FRS's (Hot Lava/GMetal Grey) Location: Canada Posts: 18 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Thanks for your response/input

10-12-2026, 03:23 AM	#5
callisto Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Drives: 2019 Subaru BRZ Location: PNW, US Posts: 123 Thanks: 99 Thanked 109 Times in 56 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s)	Yeah! I'm sorry, I think I was having a bad day, I'm looking at that and I owe you a better reply — If you look up on the forum for the ECU immobilizer pairing process, it is essentially "jumper two OBD pins and put your keyfob in front of the engine start button for a hard minimum of 30 full minutes", and it does work reliably enough that many of us have DIY'd it due to bricking our ECUs over time through tuning etc.

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