ECU Repair

Reality Bites · 10 Jun 2016 at 08:26

My Nissan xtrail is in the garage at the moment with some engine faults. The garage have tried a few things and believe one of the causes could be a faulty ECU. The garage is trying to source a donor part to try it so they can be sure.

I don't fancy the cost of a brand new one and have seen several places who offer repairs with lifetime warranties etc for £2-300.

Has anyone had any experience of a company they could recommend? If it comes to it, I may have to get it sent on Monday depending on results today.

iaind · 10 Jun 2016 at 08:32

Try BBA Reman

Big Spender · 10 Jun 2016 at 09:00

I would try finding a tested 2nd hand unit. Get the part number off of your ECU, punch it into the search box of a popular auction site and see if anyone is selling one with the same part number. I'm not sure how Nissans work as i deal with Vauxhall's, but Vauxhall ECU's have to have had their security codes removed from the ECU prior to removal from the donor vehicle or at least supplied with the security code from the donor car if it hasn't been reset so it can be programmed onto your car.

If going down the route of sending your ECU off to be repaired, i would 2nd iaind and say to try BBA Reman.

pepsilol · 10 Jun 2016 at 10:43

My mates Honda had engine issues, Honda said ECU needed replacing, I took a look and it was just a ground cable..it's never the ECU for 98% of the time.

LizardKing · 10 Jun 2016 at 10:45

Mine was repaired by http://www.the-ecu-doctor.co.uk/ a few years ago a still going strong.

But Ebay first

Or even owners forums? perhaps someone will lend you one before you go out and buy one to ensure it is a faulty ecu!

Atari · 10 Jun 2016 at 11:31

I've had ECU repairs done previously by Enda @ End Tuning. Very helpful and knowledgable chap!

Dogbreath · 10 Jun 2016 at 13:54

Reality Bites said:
The garage have tried a few things and believe one of the causes could be a faulty ECU.

Take note of pepsilol's post.

ECUs can fail, but it's very uncommon compared to faults with sensors and wiring/connectors. If they are unable to diagnose a fault, many garages will default to suggesting the problem lies with the ECU, so take this as a warning that you could be dealing with chimps.

Reality Bites · 11 Jun 2016 at 11:56

Well, they have tried all else and Im told its he ecu. I can't afford a new one so will look at a test and repair process.

Thanks for the feedback, would like to go with a company people have had good experience of. Will need to send it off Monday all being well

Tinders · 11 Jun 2016 at 13:36

Dogbreath said:
Take note of pepsilol's post.

ECUs can fail, but it's very uncommon compared to faults with sensors and wiring/connectors. If they are unable to diagnose a fault, many garages will default to suggesting the problem lies with the ECU, so take this as a warning that you could be dealing with chimps.

Correct, garages just dont have the skills to fault find electrical issue, they only know how to plug in a diagnostic machine and go by that. In many cases its just a sensor,damaged cable or even a dodgy earth as above, one damaged cable can throw many different faults.

Reality Bites · 11 Jun 2016 at 16:55

I get what everyone is saying, however, I'm not an auto electrician and for now need to go on what they tell me. I'm gonna send it off for a test and if it comes back ok, it's only cost me £50/60 and I'll have a word with the garage about the diagnosis

Until then. I need to get it sent off for testing at least

acemastr · 11 Jun 2016 at 17:54

Call up some scrappies

iaind · 11 Jun 2016 at 18:25

Most ECUs need the VIN/immobiliser codes programming to them which would cost at least 50 quid. Paying that for a diagnosis and a couple of hundred for a guaranteed repair doesn't seem the worst idea. If it's not the ECU then going second hand won't cost any more

Lopéz · 12 Jun 2016 at 01:36

I've never actually come across a genuine ECU failure.

Reality Bites · 12 Jun 2016 at 09:55

iaind said:
Most ECUs need the VIN/immobiliser codes programming to them which would cost at least 50 quid. Paying that for a diagnosis and a couple of hundred for a guaranteed repair doesn't seem the worst idea. If it's not the ECU then going second hand won't cost any more

I'm kinda thinking that having it tested and repaired of required would be the safer option than going second hand. I appreciate the view on here that ecu faults are vary rare, however, seems logical to me to have mine repaired with a lifetime warranty than going second hand and have the possibility of that one failing.

BBA reman or the ecu Doctor seem to be most popular so I'll take a look and give them a call. Kind of hoping they test it and it's all ok....can then tel Nissan they are ****.

Reality Bites · 21 Jun 2016 at 19:06

Well, bba regen couldn't support my ECU so went with ecutesting.com.

Had word today that they couldn't find fault with the ECU (shock horror!)

Back to the garage tomorrow .... And to think most would have just paid for the new one!

Firestar_3x · 21 Jun 2016 at 19:08

iaind said:
Try BBA Reman

That would be my first port of call, they offer fantastic service.

Reality Bites · 21 Jun 2016 at 19:12

Reality Bites said:
Well, bba regen couldn't support my ECU so went with ecutesting.com.

Firestar_3x said:
That would be my first port of call, they offer fantastic service.

Tried them.....

Amleto · 24 Jun 2016 at 00:33

Dogbreath said:
Take note of pepsilol's post.

ECUs can fail, but it's very uncommon compared to faults with sensors and wiring/connectors. If they are unable to diagnose a fault, many garages will default to suggesting the problem lies with the ECU, so take this as a warning that you could be dealing with chimps.

Yep, learned this the hard way. First they blamed the console cluster and changed it without testing (the old one was fine btw), then they sent the ECU off for repair. The company sent it back saying nought wrong wi' it.

nicRob · 24 Jun 2016 at 07:27

I had an ECU that did fail, got error code after error code and stuck in limp mode. Changed the ECU and been fine since, do appreciate that it is very rare though!

LizardKing · 24 Jun 2016 at 10:28

Older cars will certainly see a few ECU issues, early 90's etc, the caps inside them were not the most durable and tend to bulge and leak and will do all sorts of weird and wonderful things to the running of the car.