If I have a damaged ECU can I buy a used one out of a wreck or are there some "mating" codes that prevent this? A new one is $1600 and a used one is $450. Ithere another vendor besides Siemens that makes a "better unit?

 

SpiderX,

You could look into getting a Motec ECU:

http://www.motec.com/

Pricey, but regarded as the best available. I would expect it to take quite a bit of custom tuning. A Motec for the Mini's application would run at $2,500+ though. To be honest, the standard Siemens ECU is pretty darn good and has three 'ROM' levels to interface with, allowing a large array of sensor inputs and diagnostic facilities to be offered.

As for using s 'used' ECU from a wrecked car, yes this is possible but you will need to get the immobiliser transponder from the donor car as well as the ECU itself. The transponder is located in the driver's footwell on RHD cars.

This would work, assuming that you also have the keys to the donor car as well. The only downside will be that you will have to have the central locking 'reprogrammed' if that is an available service at all (?) so that the 'new' set of keys can communicate with the Car's central locking transponder.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge about electronics etc can help you out further.

HTH,

Henry

 

That is some pretty good info. I am not going to spend $2500 unless it produced 400 HP (lol)

 

I don't blame you, I wouldn't either

Is there anyone else out there that can offer some advice here please for our good man SpiderX ??

Henry

 

I think Nuzzo used the Motec in his race cars, but you need a new throttle pedal and linkage (mechanical) and probably a throttle body. It is an odyssey.

 

A 'used' ECU can be used, but it has to unfortunately be programmed by the dealer into the car. There is the keyless entry/immobilizer codes to contend with, as well as vehicle info/mileage and other goodies which form the communication between all the modules in the car. All the 'major' modules have to have matching info for them to work properly and talk to one another.

You can save on the cost of buying a new ECU, but the dealer will still want their share for the installation and programming. Then there is the chance that the dealer will balk at installing customer supplied parts for various reasons, legit or not (usually not).

Being that the modules contain VIN codes in some cases, if you obtained a module that could have come through 'shady' (read: stolen) channels, there is a chance that you could get in trouble if they check the previous data even if you got the thing through a salvage yard, etc.

ECUs are generally quite reliable, usually if they die it's early on in their life and under warranty, or as some have found, by connecting add-on 'upgrades' (quite often these are 'infamous' ignition modules). The units generally are well protected from typical electrical mishaps. A botched reprogramming of fuel maps and such can usually be brought back to defaults by the dealer equipment without needing replacement. Physical damage to the unit such as breaking off connector pins during r&r or add-on modules like Unichip would require ECU replacement.

 

Make absolutely sure whatever ruined your ecu doesn't eat your replacement. Unless your willing to pin test any and all components related to the ecu & wiring & the ecu, or your a gambling kind of guy, pay some one else willing to take the responsibility for multiple fried units. Doctors can treat symptoms, mechanics have to cure the problem. Ok, reputable mechanics.

 

I am all over that. read my other thread about the "dealer"

 

saw it just after posting that naturally.

 

Thanks for posting It all helps to confirm my thoughts

 

AFAIK, a used ECU cannot be used in another vehicle. For whatever reason, the BC1 (MINI's diagnostic machine) does not have the ability to wipe out previously-stored VIN and EWS information. That said, check with a discount MINI parts vendor like Classic (they advertise here). Last time I checked, a new ECU was under $1100 and programming should take 1 hour tops.

 

Very Cool!

Thanks

AFAIK ?