Type any ECU or module part number — Car Hacker shows the family, memory, processor, programming tools, clone support, and matching parts.
ECU & Car Module Decoder — Part Number, Programming & Clone Database
Car Hacker is a complete ECU and car module lookup platform built for anyone searching a part number — from DIY users and car owners to professional technicians and programmers. Search any ECU, TCM, BCM, or control module by part number, ECU family, or manufacturer (Bosch, Denso, Continental, ZF, Delphi, Magneti Marelli, and more) to instantly identify the module, what vehicle it belongs to, and what’s inside.
Find out what the part is, what memory or chip is inside (MCU, EEPROM, PFLASH, DFLASH), and how it can be programmed, cloned, or replaced. View supported tools such as Autotuner, KT200, PCMFlash, Flex, and Hexprog along with connection methods (OBD, Bench, Boot) and clone compatibility (1:1 clone, partial clone, or no clone).
What You Get for Every Part Number
Every entry in the Car Hacker database returns the same structured information so you can move from “what is this part?” to “how do I work with it?” in seconds:
- ECU Family & Brand — Bosch, Denso, Continental, ZF, Delphi, Magneti Marelli, Siemens VDO, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, Hyundai Kefico
- Vehicle Makes — which cars and model years use this exact module
- Processor (MCU) — Infineon Tricore (TC1797, TC1767, TC1791, TC1793), Renesas, NXP/Motorola MPC5xx, ST
- Internal Flash — PFLASH and DFLASH layout for firmware and calibration
- Internal EEPROM — emulated or true EEPROM, where coding and immobilizer data live
- External Flash & EEPROM — SPI chips and standalone immobilizer EEPROMs (24Cxx series)
- Clone Support — 1:1 clone, partial clone, IMMO data transfer only, or no clone
- OEM Cross-Reference — match Bosch, Denso, and OEM part numbers across compatible modules
- Live Listings — real eBay and parts-supplier links to source the module
- ECU Image — visual confirmation you have the right part before you buy
Find and Buy Replacement ECUs and Modules
Most people searching a part number need to replace the module, find a donor unit for cloning, or verify a used ECU before paying for it. Every Car Hacker entry includes live eBay and parts-supplier listings — with the exact module photo, asking price, condition, and seller location — so you can match the part on screen to the part in your hand before you spend a cent.
This is the page that answers the questions buyers actually type into Google:
- “Where can I buy a replacement [part number]?”
- “Is this used ECU compatible with my car?”
- “What’s a fair price for a [part number]?”
- “Where can I find a donor ECU for cloning?”
- “Can I use a different part number as a substitute?”
- “Is this the right ECU for my year, make, and model?”
Click the module image on any result to see live listings — useful whether you’re sourcing a one-time replacement, a clone donor, or stocking parts for a workshop. Listings are pulled from real marketplaces in real time, so you see current pricing and what’s actually in stock.
Popular ECU Families
Search specific ECU variants like MED17.5.5, EDC17C46, SIMOS18, SID208, or MG1CS003 to get accurate programming, clone, and memory information for your exact module. The platforms below are the most-searched in the database, grouped by manufacturer:
Bosch — Gasoline Direct Injection (MED17 family)
- MED17.5.5 — VW / Audi 2.0 TFSI, the mass-market gasoline DI platform
- MED17.7.2 — Mercedes M157 / M278 V8 turbo, Infiniti
- MED17.1.6 — VW / Audi 1.4 and 1.6 TFSI
Bosch — Diesel (EDC17 family)
Bosch — V8 / V12 Gasoline
- ME9.7 — Mercedes V8 / V12, Porsche
Bosch — New-Generation Tricore (MG1 / MD1)
Continental / Siemens VDO
- SIMOS18 — modern VAG gasoline platform (Infineon TC1791)
- SIMOS18.1 — common VAG variant for clone and tuning work
- SIMOS18.10 — high-end VAG (TC1791 / TC1793)
- SID208 — Continental diesel for Ford, PSA
- SID209 — Continental diesel for Ford, Volvo, PSA
Hyundai / Kia (SIM2K)
The full database covers more than 2,000 ECU and module families — including 100+ EDC17 variants, 73+ MG1 variants, 56+ MD1 variants, and dozens of SIMOS, SID, MED17, ME, and SIM2K sub-families. Use the search above to look up any module by part number, family name, or manufacturer.
ECU Brands We Decode
Every major OEM control-unit supplier is covered. Search by manufacturer name or directly by part number prefix:
- Bosch — 0261, 0281, 0265 part-number series (gasoline, diesel, ABS/ESP)
- Denso — Toyota, Lexus, Suzuki, Honda
- Continental / Siemens VDO — VAG, Ford, PSA, Renault
- Delphi — GM, PSA, Ford diesel platforms
- ZF — transmission control units (TCMs) across multiple OEMs
- Magneti Marelli — Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati
- Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, Hyundai Kefico — Asian-market ECUs and TCMs
Programming Tools & Software
Knowing the ECU family is half the job — knowing the right tool is the other half. Each entry shows compatible programmers and the supported access methods (OBD, Bench, Boot/BSL):
- Autotuner — MED17.x and EDC17.x via OBD, Bench, and Boot
- KT200 — Bosch EDC17, Denso, Continental, Magneti Marelli, full read/write
- PCMFlash — SIMOS, Bosch ME, Magneti Marelli, broad VAG and Ford coverage
- Flex (Magic Motorsport) — Bosch EDC/MED, Delphi DCM, Continental SID, slave/master operations
- Hexprog — BDM/JTAG bench operations, EEPROM and Flash on legacy ECUs
- Trasdata, Dimsport, CMD, KESS — additional bench and OBD support depending on family
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ECU part number?
An ECU part number is the unique identifier printed on the engine, transmission, or body control module. It tells you the exact hardware revision, the supplier (Bosch, Denso, Continental, etc.), and the vehicle program it was built for. Bosch numbers usually start with 0261, 0281, or 0265; OEM numbers vary by manufacturer.
How do I find my ECU part number?
Look at the label or sticker on the ECU housing — it lists the OEM part number and usually the supplier number too. On most cars the ECU is in the engine bay near the firewall, under a plastic cover, or behind the glove box. Once you have the number, type it into the search above.
Where can I buy a replacement ECU?
You can source ECUs and modules through OEM dealers, salvage yards, specialist suppliers, and online marketplaces like eBay. Car Hacker pulls live listings for each part number so you can compare prices, condition, and seller location in one place — and confirm the photo matches your unit before buying.
How do I know a used ECU listing matches my car?
Two things: the part number must match exactly (including suffix letters), and the module image should match the connector layout, label, and case style of your existing unit. Car Hacker shows both side by side so you can verify before purchasing — checking the photo against your unit avoids the most common mistake when buying used.
What is a donor ECU?
A donor ECU is a working unit of the same family used to extract calibration, immobilizer, or learned data when cloning into a new or empty replacement. The donor doesn’t have to come from your car — it just has to be the same family and revision. Look for matching part-number prefixes and the same processor.
What’s the difference between MED17 and EDC17?
Both are Bosch families. MED17 is the gasoline direct-injection platform (VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes). EDC17 is the diesel platform used across nearly every European diesel from 2006 onward. They share processor architecture (Infineon Tricore) but use different software, sensors, and tuning maps.
What’s the difference between SIMOS18 and MED17?
Both are modern gasoline ECUs in the VAG group, but built by different suppliers. SIMOS18 is Continental / Siemens VDO and uses the Infineon TC1791 processor. MED17 is Bosch and uses TC1797 / TC1767. They cover similar engines but require different programming tools, calibrations, and clone procedures.
Can every ECU be cloned?
No. Clone support depends on the family and the immobilizer architecture. Some ECUs support a 1:1 clone (full data copy, no relearn needed). Some only support a partial clone (calibration only — IMMO data must be re-coded). Some can’t be cloned at all and require fresh programming. Car Hacker shows the clone status for each entry.
What’s the difference between OBD, Bench, and Boot programming?
OBD uses the diagnostic port — fastest, but limited on newer ECUs. Bench means the ECU is removed and connected directly to its power, ground, and CAN/K-line pins for full read/write. Boot mode (or BSL) puts the processor into a service state for low-level Flash access — required when OBD and bench protocols are locked.
Where is the immobilizer data stored?
It depends on the ECU. On older platforms it lives in an external EEPROM (24Cxx series). On modern Bosch and Continental ECUs it’s stored in the internal Flash or EEPROM region of the Tricore MCU. Knowing the exact location matters before any clone or replacement — Car Hacker shows it for each family.
What does a 1:1 clone mean?
A 1:1 clone is a full byte-for-byte copy of the donor ECU into a replacement unit — calibration, immobilizer data, VIN, mileage, and security. The replacement behaves identically to the original with no relearn or coding required. Only certain families support it.
What’s the difference between EEPROM and Flash?
Both are non-volatile memory but they serve different roles. Flash is large and stores the ECU firmware and calibration maps. EEPROM is smaller and stores variables that change during the car’s life — VIN, immobilizer codes, adaptation values, learned data. Both can be read and written with the right tool, but EEPROM is what you usually edit for IMMO and adaptation work.