CMU Serial Access

In FW v59.00.502 and higher the CMU is locked down and users cannot access to their own systems and can no longer install tweaks. Currently the only way to circumvent this is to make a serial connection and follow these instructions very carefully. This process will allow you to run tweaks from USB. EXTRA INSTRUCTIONS FOR FW v70.00.335 and higher. Serial connection will need to be made before updating or FW reinstall to regain root access.

A huge Thank You to Albuyeh for writing these detailed instructions.

Parts/Equipment Needed:

  • USB to TTL Serial Adapter - $6 (Any other CP2102 module should work. Other USB-TTL Adapters might work too.) Driver can be found Here. I like this module because it has LEDs when you are receiving or transmitting data
  • Single-Stranded/Solid-core insulated wire. I personally like this because you can daisy-chain them together without needing to do any soldering.
  • USB Flash Drive
  • 10mm socket wrench with extender/ratchet
  • Putty or SecureCRT
  • Mazda AIO Tweaks

Preparation:

USB Flash Drive:

MZD AIO Method:

  1. Format drive to FAT32
  2. Using MZD-AIO v2.7.9+: Run “Autorun & Recovery” with “Recovery Via Serial Connection” & “Install ID_7 Recovery Scripts Pack” options checked
  3. AIO will create the ‘XX’ Folder and neccessary files in “_copy_to_usb” folder
  4. AIO will offer to copy files directly to the connected USB Drive

or

Manual Method:

  1. Format drive to FAT32
  2. Create folder called ‘XX’
  3. Add contents of this archive to folder ‘XX’
  4. If you want to have the car create its own Wifi Access Point, configure the XX/00-start-wifiAP/wifiAP.configfile. Otherwise, delete the 00-start-wifiAP folder. If you are trying to remove Wifi AP after you have installed it, copy contents of Wifi Uninstall Script to flash drive and connect to CMU.
  • (Optional) Use AIO to also install some selected tweaks on the same USB flash drive to run after completed.

Process:

Accessing the CMU: (Watch this video to see how its done)

Another Great Video:

  1. Open glove box
  2. Pull the trim. You will need to use more force than you expect. The front fan area is attached to the trim and will come off as well.
  3. Disconnect the hazard light connector cable
  4. Use the 10mm socket wrench to remove the bolt
    • The Bolt
  5. The headunit will slide out towards you

Wiring the CMU:

Do not modify any of the below commands If the commands do not work, then you have done something wrong (i.e. you’re not logged in, or RX/TX wires are not properly wired)

  1. You will need to have 3 wires connected to the CMU: Transmit (TX), Receive (RX), and Ground (GND)
  2. Here is a picture of the back of the CMU. We are going to be adding our cables to the ‘power&more’ connector. Here is a more detailed picture of where the RX and TX cables go. Note: The smaller 2x4logic.com diagram looks like it’s the opposite of the other picture but that’s because the CMU is using 2S to transmit (so the serial adapter will be receiving). For the sake of simplicity, connect the RX port of your Serial Adapter to 2S (top) and TX port to 2T (bottom).
    • Back of the CMU Back of the CMU
  3. Be sure that the cable is going into the port. It must go in about an inch. The GND cable can go anywhere so long as it is touching the CMU. I recommend slightly unscrewing one of the Philips head screws and wedging the cable in there.
  4. Connect the other end of the wires to the CP2102 module in its corresponding port.

Serial Console App:

  • Make sure you know what the paste command is for your Serial Console application. In Putty, you right click inside the terminal window and it will paste whatever command you had copied. For SecureCRT, you push Ctrl+Shift+V to paste. Remember that these shortcuts will only paste, you will have to push enter after to actually send the command.
  1. Windows will auto-assign a COM Port to the CP2102 module once its plugged in. Go to Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT) to see what the COM Port # is
    • For SecureCRT, under Options > Connection > Serial, set Port = COM#, Baud = 115200, Data Bits = 8, Parity = None, Stop Bits = 1
    • For Putty, you just need to select ‘Serial’ and then enter the COM Port # and set Baud to 115200
  2. You should start see text scroll by even if the car is off
  3. Plug in flash drive
  4. Turn the car to ACC mode by just pressing the On button without putting your foot on brake to fully turn car on
  5. Now you are really going to be seeing text fly by, remember that the commands are working even though you cannot see what you are typing because of the text flying by.
  6. Press Enter in terminal and CMU will respond with ‘login’. For the next several steps make sure you do not make any spelling mistakes. It is probably best to copy and paste the commands (to paste you just need to right click in the terminal window).
    • If text is flying by so fast it seems like you can’t type you are doing everything correctly, copy and paste each command and press enter! It will seem like your commands are not being sent to the Mazda but don’t worry they are (provided your wiring is right. If you got a module with LEDs you can check TX is Transmit/RX is Receive)
  7. Reboot Mazda CMU by holding the Nav + Mute button for 10+ seconds.
  8. Input and push Enter Copy
  9. Input and push Enter Copy

    NOTE: After installing the autorun scripts you will be able to login as the root user with username: cmu pass: jci

  10. Run 
    •
  11. (Optional) To test if the files have been moved to the folder, run 
    •
    • The files/folders should be colored in green/blue since they are folders/executable. You may have to run this a few times to see the Serial Console output.
    • Output
  12. Remove flash drive, turn off car, insert flash drive that has AIO tweaks installed, turn car on back in ACC mode
  13. After a few minutes, you should see a message that indicates the mods are being installed. This process may take approximately 2 - 20 minutes.

Finishing Up

  1. Now that everything is installed you can put everything back together
  2. Remove the TX, RX, GND wires
  3. Slide CMU back in
  4. Attach bolt using 10mm socket wrench
  5. Connect hazard light connector cable to trim
  6. Push trim back in
  7. From here on out, you can just use a flashdrive to install tweaks

You’re Done!

If you have questions or need help visit this thread for more information.

If you love us so much you need to donate you can Buy Albuyeh a Hot Chocolate and/or you can Buy Trez Some Weed :D. Good Luck!