Apparently my ECU is shot.
The car runs well when it runs but it leaves me at the side of the road lots... so I had it looked at by a local (non Mini) repair shop.
He says the ECU is shot.
I can find a used one - and I can get it (towed) to the dealer but one dealer tells me that the ECU is tied to the VIN and I must buy a new ECU.

Anyone know the truth?

Cal Wallis

'03 Mini S

 

What?
Is this a local garage or Mini dealer who told you the culprit is the ecu?

It's because the car stops, does not mean the ecu. You have to find a reputable mini dealer to diagnose the ecu.

What is the behavior? tell us more

 

How does an ECU get worn out? Too many electrons have run through it?

I think you need to look for a mechanic who knows MINI's and get another assessment.

 

Having gone down the replacement ECU road, I can tell you that you have two options: a new ECU from MINI that is "blank", and will have your VIN burned into it, (I think it's $ 1k) or sending your "new" used ECU along with the old one, your key, and your EWS (immobilizer) to a specialist like BRM Motorsports. They do some computer wizardry for about $ 400 and you're all set...so they say.

 

Thank you Desmini. You are quite correct. I'm heading down that road now, In Canada there is a Canadian - rps motorsport - they're on ebay.ca who does it for $199.

Only problem is finding the same part # - which is apparently important! I may have it though.

Thulchat - a crack can develop in the board causing intermittent problems and showing code that leads one to the DME. Since the DME can't be repaired very easily (or at all) one must buy a new one - which the slimy local dealer would eat with a spoon. Gotta love $2,000 for the part, and programming (you aren't allowed to call it "flashing"! So tow job - about 200 KM, then the part, then the labour.... ~$3000. and 10 days

Compared to ~$250 for part and freight, $200 + freight to rps, then back to a reasonable mechanic who spends 15 minutes installing it and drive home.
Total about $600. and 10 days.

 

Hey Guys,

So I have run into a similar problem dealing with my ECM. I was having some codes come up regarding my injectors and after replacing all 4 and still having the same problem i took it to a mechanic which is Certified in mini work. They determined all injectors were working properly and that the ECM was needed to be rebuilt after having it sent to a guy that can rebuild it, that guy determined it was apparently not fixable. So now apparently my options are get a new one or find one that i can programmed. My QUESTION is if there is any more info out there or other options. I was told that i can't use a used one. That i have to suck up the couple grand to buy a new one and then get it programmed by the $$dealer$$ (same dealer that told me it was an injector problem and didnt further check the injectors which were fine)

 

From my understanding, a used ECM can be used, it just has to be programmed to change the VIN number and align with the EWS. Some had success using WinKFP and ISTA/INPA with the BMW cable.
Other than that, there are services on ebay (ex. https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-Cooper...oAAOSwt0FZAq6l) that can virginise and pair those 2 modules or some shops such as RPM Motorsports should be able to do that.

 

Moving this to the Stock Problems/Issues area. As our Gen1s age, this will most likely become of greater interest.

 

Thank you V_O, I had just found out about RPM when you posted. Called them up and they are gonna be a huge help. Very nice and knowledgable. ( always great when its not a robot on the other end of the phone) So for everyone out there, it is possible to use a new "used" DME but it has to have the same part # and your original one and has to be communicating to start with. Then you can program it and then it should be plug and play.

 

My 47K miles clubman S had defective ECU in 2018. I filed a complaint on https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/. NHTSA may investigate the ECU issues, if your guys also complain the same issues.

 

With BMW Tools can't fit an used EU on car.Even you change the VIN Nr., car won't start because immo data are stored in a protected area of flash 29f400 inside ECU.In protected area can write only in Boot mode, mean open ECU cover and use Boot mode for read and write the 29f400.
For DIY guys:
Any type of used ECU can be fitted,does not matter the donor car type, can be any car from 2001-2006, R50, R52, R53.
There are two types of ECU,first one is EMS 2000, used on prefacelift cars and on some facelift cars.
Second type is MS5150, that one is the best choice , because is more reliable than old type.
The replacement procedure is the following:
Buy a FGTech Galetto V54 tool from ebay, price around 60$
Open used ECU cover and write in boot mode an immo off file , file has to match the car.
I can provide any type of immo off file, for any type of R50, R52, R53,no matter the type of used ECU bought.
After reflash,ECU is plug and play,car will start.If used ECU comes from a different type of Mini,sometime must be recoded for Cruise control presence or not,job can be done with INPA cable.
No need to do EWS alignment,i can provide the immo off file with the real VIN Nr.
For those interested I can provide details in pm.I made this change to over 30 cars,on most of them I have installed MS5150 ECU for R50, R53,R53 JCW,R53 GP.
Old ECU EMS2000.

New MS5150 ECU

 

adriancl has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.


Hi AdrianCL,

I have a 2006 R53 I want to Tune, I am upgrading to 380injectors very soon, already have a GP intercooler and 15% pulley reduction also with a JCW airbox intake, in one of you post, you have 2 types of ECU, but I am confused as not sure if I have the MS5150 ECU or the Old ECU EMS2000?

also I have a spare ECU coming from a 2006 R53, can I use this spare ECU to clone mine and tuned instead of using my original ECU?

Thanks,

 

If your car is 2006 R53, you have MS5150 ECU.You can use your ECU to flash a good tuned file.For MS5150 is available a good tuned file for over 220HP. Cloning EMS2000 or MS5150 can be done only in boot mode because safety data are written in a protected area of memory.