DriverJon
Veteran Member
I want to know if there's anything in the process of replacing an ECU that can "go wrong", "not get done", etc, that might cause problems with the car.
Some history:
Had issue with the turbo actuator a while ago... the dreaded code, going into limp mode. Determined on my own that it really was the actuator not holding vacuum. Ended up thinking it was just too much hassle to do myself, sent to independent shop. A little pricey but shop fixed OK.
Fast forward 3mo or so, got a couple of limp mode events again, got out the HEX-COM and yes, actuator issue again. Hmm... Figured it's likely a 13yr old hose that developed a crack, or a wire got pulled on, etc.. should be an easy fix. Shop spends a while, says "we traced everything, it was the control wire for the turbo that had 3.5V on it rather than 0V, and it was like that on the pin of the ECU so its your ECU". Not very happy... how could I check up on that diagnosis? So, I need a new ECU, final price $2000. (included a new battery, that I knew was on the way out)
Took a month, with diagnosing, waiting for computer to be delivered, then glow plug problems, due to them not "getting programmed properly", waiting for all the codes to get reset before car can be declared fixed, (?) etc.
Cruise control did not work after I picked it up. Also a diesel leak started, 3-4 days after I got it back. Was going to get them to fix the CC, and maybe look at the diesel leak. I'll have a thread asking about the leak in the aux fuel pump area somewhere else. They want $895 for that, pump, hoses and have to change the fuel filter, of course, that container has fuel on it.
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy woes... I want to know if it's a straightforward process to swap out an ECU, or is there a lot of particular reprogramming and re associating of parts that needs to be done? My fear is, they don't know what they're doing, and botch up things in the car that may do damage later. I know it could be possible that they ran a process, and with low battery voltage it might not have been fully successful, and maybe the second try with a new battery would be ok. But if there's a chance of problems, I want to know, and try to determine if my main transportation is going to be OK in the future.
Some history:
Had issue with the turbo actuator a while ago... the dreaded code, going into limp mode. Determined on my own that it really was the actuator not holding vacuum. Ended up thinking it was just too much hassle to do myself, sent to independent shop. A little pricey but shop fixed OK.
Fast forward 3mo or so, got a couple of limp mode events again, got out the HEX-COM and yes, actuator issue again. Hmm... Figured it's likely a 13yr old hose that developed a crack, or a wire got pulled on, etc.. should be an easy fix. Shop spends a while, says "we traced everything, it was the control wire for the turbo that had 3.5V on it rather than 0V, and it was like that on the pin of the ECU so its your ECU". Not very happy... how could I check up on that diagnosis? So, I need a new ECU, final price $2000. (included a new battery, that I knew was on the way out)
Took a month, with diagnosing, waiting for computer to be delivered, then glow plug problems, due to them not "getting programmed properly", waiting for all the codes to get reset before car can be declared fixed, (?) etc.
Cruise control did not work after I picked it up. Also a diesel leak started, 3-4 days after I got it back. Was going to get them to fix the CC, and maybe look at the diesel leak. I'll have a thread asking about the leak in the aux fuel pump area somewhere else. They want $895 for that, pump, hoses and have to change the fuel filter, of course, that container has fuel on it.
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy woes... I want to know if it's a straightforward process to swap out an ECU, or is there a lot of particular reprogramming and re associating of parts that needs to be done? My fear is, they don't know what they're doing, and botch up things in the car that may do damage later. I know it could be possible that they ran a process, and with low battery voltage it might not have been fully successful, and maybe the second try with a new battery would be ok. But if there's a chance of problems, I want to know, and try to determine if my main transportation is going to be OK in the future.
