Need ECU

[Reginabiel]

Question on 1986 ECU..?

I need an ECU for my 1986 911. My little car just won't start. My mechanic said it is the ECU. I Cannot afford a new one. It was suggested to get a used one.what is the difference between used and rebuilt? Well, I know what it means, but is rebuilt almost like new? Or would I be better off getting a used one?
How long would a rebuilt last appose to a used ECU?. Why is it difficult to locate a used or rebuilt ECU?
There is a local place that can rebuilt what I have for $800.00. According to them it would take about 10 days. Is this the price of rebuilt and the time to take to rebuilt is about 10 days. I just want to be sure I am not being taken in. And would a warranty be offered? The place is called "PORSCHE HAVEN" .
Any feed back.? Thx

[Tippy]

Send your ECU (commonly called a DME here) to "ischmitz" for a diagnosis before plunking down money for a used or rebuilt unit.

Willing to bet your mechanic is guessing the problem at this point.

[flyenby]

Hi are you sure it is not the flywheel sensor? I had the same problem..can you have your mechanic swap the Ecu, with a known good one ?

[DRACO A5OG]

Our Host does these repairs too or you can contact 911Chips.com

[Reginabiel]

Your right about guessing at this point. Coz he thought it was something else at first, he replaced it, but it wasn't it. Good thing about it, he is not charging me for those parts not even labor. He said not my fault, so it's cool. At this point, what shoud I suggest he should be checking or testing, before he takes it apart? Thanks guys for the feed back.

[Tippy]

There's really 2 options:
1. Multimeter the values of the various EFI components
2. Oscilloscope (not really an option as it doesn't run)

Pretty much just #1 and what most of us do including your mechanic, swap components until it runs.

[DRACO A5OG]

Better yet, find a 3.2 buddy in your area and ask to check your DME in their car. DO NOT PUT THEIR DME IN YOUR CAR, EVER. that goes for all 3.2's Fellas. The reason, if your car is defective, it could damages the donor's DME unit.

Jim

[Tony V]

Regina,
If it's the ECU, Parts Heaven sends it to Fuel Injection Corp in Livermore. It's a nice drive from Hayward and if they'll test it while you wait, you could taste at some of the local wineries! Number is 925-371-6551. Great folks and know their stuff.
Tony

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by flyenby

Hi are you sure it is not the flywheel sensor? I had the same problem..can you have your mechanic swap the Ecu, with a known good one ?

Do NOT put a known good DME in a car to test the car's systems. There are failed components that can fry the DME.

The correct procedure is to put the questionable ECU in a known good car. That is a safe test.

[larrym]

I have 2 extras - recently road tested, one is rebuilt, one with extra FRWilk performance chip - but price is almost as much as the rebuild price you are quoted

just get it rebuilt

.

[ian c2]

Have you checked the relay ?????????????????????????

I wanted to do 1000000 question marks for emphasis , but gave up .

[Reginabiel]

Thanks for all your input. First this flywheel sensor, I was told that this is part of the clutch? Although I did not mentioned the sensor part. The DME relay, I learned that from here when I first experienced the car won't start. Therefore, this time around, I thought perhaps it's the DME again, so I replaced it. Unfortunately it was not it. The. Thought of going to Parts haven is a good possibility. I would have to ask my mechanic to remove the Electronic Control Unit so I can bring it there. Can Ido that? By the way, what's is the difference bet. The DME RELAY to DME. Fuel.? Or I don't remember . Maybe the problems. That other DME thing?
I miss driving that car, especially now with these beautiful weather.
Well, thanks again guys.

[DRACO A5OG]

Hayward? That is northern Cali right? I think there are quite a few Pelicans up that ways.

Our 3.2 DME ( ECU ) is held down by four 10MM nuts ( you can use a deep 10MM socket ratchet to remove it ). The DME Relay is mainly to control the Fuel Pump, it was that little black rectangular relay you swapped.

If you can't do it, have your mechanic remove it and find a 3.2 ( 84-89 911 ) to test that DME (ECU) to make certain it is in fact the DME. If it passes, then you would need to look into the two sensors at the fly wheel, Speed Sensor and Reference Sensor, your wrench should know how to measure the OHMs on them to insure they are within tolerance, if not, you need another wrench.

Jim

[Reginabiel]

Yes, Hayward s in Northern CA. I have changed the DME before and it worked. BTW, when you say "wrench", your talking about my mechanic, correct? I am pretty certain that he has checked the DME. I will let him know your suggestion bout the sensor. But you knw come to think of it, i believe, that is what he replaced. He said there are two and thoses two needs to be repaced. I asked him, if they were both bad. He said, you cannot just replace one, it has to be both. Is this correct? Both sensors have to be replaced? I believe this is the parts he replaced and did. It charge me for it because, he felt that its was his mis- diagnose and I should not have to pay for that. I think thats cool.
When I have issues with the car, I dont have anyone work on it but him. But then again nothing like this hs ever happen to it. There were a couple of major? things happened on the car that he diagnosed and fixed or replaced. Hmmm, what was it?Alternator. Some "Ball joint"? I think.
But where does the ECU located. Is that where the DME is connected to? Thx.

[DRACO A5OG]

Sorry, Wrench = Mechanic. Oh poop I was just up there today :-(

The ECU aka DME is underneath the driver side seat. The DME relay is there too, but not the same thing.

If he is a Porsche Mechanic then he should have another 3.2 client, if so, ask him if he can ask his client to come on by and quickly swap your DME (ECU) into his clients car. Please do not worry, your DME will not injure the client's car, If it does not start then we found the culprit.

If so, then send your DME to Steve Wong, 911Chips, he is a master of repair of the DME and can fix you right up. But first let's make sure it is your ECU ( DME ).

Jim

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Hayward? That is northern Cali right? I think there are quite a few Pelicans up that ways.

Our 3.2 DME ( ECU ) is held down by four 10MM nuts ( you can use a deep 10MM socket ratchet to remove it ). The DME Relay is mainly to control the Fuel Pump, it was that little black rectangular relay you swapped.

If you can't do it, have your mechanic remove it and find a 3.2 ( 84-89 911 ) to test that DME (ECU) to make certain it is in fact the DME. If it passes, then you would need to look into the two sensors at the fly wheel, Speed Sensor and Reference Sensor, your wrench should know how to measure the OHMs on them to insure they are within tolerance, if not, you need another wrench.

Jim

Measuring just the resistance of each sensor is not enough, one needs to also
measure the voltage of each sensor while the engine is cranking, i.e. a common
error.

[gtc]

Send your DME to Ingo or Steve Wong. They will fix you right up.