looks like you narrowed down the problem. hence the name "ecu tapper" I think the little blue dog would have seen that clue a mile away!

Hey everyone. I am going to be replacing my ECU with a new one and I am shopping around on ebay etc.
The exact one I am replacing is number 944.618.121.02

but I need to know, for sure, if a 944.618.121.03 will work as well. I don't want to be wrong but this list shows it's specific to my 1985.5 944NA
http://www.programainc.com/files/ProductList.xls

Thanks guys.

yes it will work but I dont know the difference, most likely a revision upgrade. I also know there are others not on the list because I have a 944.618.121.05 on the shelf and it works in a late car. If anyone knows of a resource noting the differences between revisions please post or explain, thx

i'm not 100% convinced it'll work, but i dont know.

just by doing a quick pelican search, the one you're replacing (944.618.121.02) has been superceded to 944.618.121.04, and costs $2126 new.

However, if you look at 944.618.121.03... it's been superceded to 944.618.121.CX - with a new price tag of about $1160.

.05 has a $1700 ish pricetag...

If they were the same, i dont suppose that there would be a $1000 price difference... and I would think if they were the same, then .03 would also have been superceded to .04 instead of .CX

be weary before you buy..

I agree with Eldorado. Use the part designed for your car and you won't have to worry. There are enough used ones around that you can find it without having to make any sacrifices. Here is a list to try. When you talk to them on the phone, make sure it has the number you are looking for or call the next person. Also remember these people often negotiate prices, especially on the higher priced ones. Use your negotiation skills...

Try these and see what you come up with...

1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 041384 $500 Action Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Massapequa) 1-800-562-8811
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 Elec Cont Unit (ECU), exc. Turbo; 2 valve 12 $400 DC Automotive USA-NC(Rocky-Mount) 1-800-579-2410
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 2.5 6F0607 $350 PRP - Pick A Part, Albany - PAR Member USA-OR(Albany)1-800-927-5855
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 2.5 5SPD NON TURBO ECU 0 261 200 077 GH1303 $350 Campbell Nelson Auto Recycling USA-WA(Arlington) 888-337-7757
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 944.618.121.06,0 261 200 089 AK9445 $350 Campbell Nelson Auto Recycling USA-WA(Arlington) 888-337-7757
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 Elec Cont Unit (ECU), (DME), exc. Turbo 22 $350 DC Automotive USA-NC(Rocky-Mount)1-800-579-2410

Engine Computer
REBUILT, TESTED, 1 YR WARRANTY POR $350 Autocomp, Inc. USA-TX(Houston) 1-281-447-9800/1-888-217-4072
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 0-261-200-086 00006897 $330 Modern Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(St.-Louis) 1-888-919-8138
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 F-5 005997 $300 Magic Used Auto Parts USA-FL(Clearwater) 1-727-573-7751
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 MAIN EECM 5254 $300 Ted's Auto Parts USA-PA(Pipersville) 1-215-766-8180
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 MATCH # S ONLY # S UL82 $250 Michael's Auto Parts USA-FL(Orlando)1-800-432-4504
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 2.5L,5SPD,0261200086 ,94461812105 040238 $250 Venice Auto Parts USA-PA(Philadelphia)1-800-523-1600
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 1-95,2.5L,5SP,W KEY,FLR,ABS A 05L126 $250 Japanese & European Auto Parts USA-FL(Tampa) 1-813-663-9741
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 1-89,5SP,NOKEY,FLR,A BS,S2,CHK 06B107 $250 Japanese & European Auto Parts USA-FL(Tampa) 1-813-663-9741
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 944.618.121.02 0261200058 7261 $250 Elite Foreign Auto USA-CA(Sun-Valley)1-818-768-1350
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 - 924 MT # 944 618 121.04, 0261 200 077-05 05 D307 $250 M & M Imports - Southern California Shipping only USA-CA(Fontana) 1-800-429-9000
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 Ele Cont Unit (ECU), (DME)- #-O F1898 $250 M & M Imports - Southern California Shipping only USA-CA(Fontana) 1-800-429-9000
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 2.0L 5SPD-0-261-200-077-TYP944MWN01 FI0567 $250 Best Auto Parts LLC USA-MD(Frederick) 1-800-288-6953
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 0261200086 843-774-2440 RALEIH $250 Case Used Parts #1 USA-SC(Marion) 1-800-234-2928
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 0261 200 058 012642 $225 Auto Sport Unlimited USA-MI(Zeeland) 1-800-695-1021
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 02612000589446181210 2 00014162 $220 All Import Auto Salvage USA-TX(Ft.-Worth)1-817-831-6316
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 00013411 $220 All Import Auto Salvage USA-TX(Ft.-Worth) 1-817-831-6316
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 261 200 089 FC562 $200.2 Weber Bros Auto USA-PA(Lebanon) 1-800-222-2528
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 -0261 200-077-U N2100 $200 Universal Auto Salvage Inc. USA-MA(Uxbridge)1-800-441-6000
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 077 757034 $200 All European Models USA-AZ(Phoenix) 1-602-470-1922
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 A 053023 $200 Don's Sportcars, Inc. RP+ Member USA-WI(Hortonville) 1-800-543-3667
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 089 A 972285 $200 Don's Sportcars, Inc. RP+ Member USA-WI(Hortonville) 1-800-543-3667
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 187 NOF $200 Don's Sportcars, Inc. RP+ Member USA-WI(Hortonville) 1-800-543-3667
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 A 052971 $200 Don's Sportcars, Inc. RP+ Member USA-WI(Hortonville) 1-800-543-3667
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 CHK ID 2A0915 $200 Connellsville Auto Salvage USA-PA(Connellsville) 1-877-846-0246
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 Ele Cont Unit (ECU), (DME)- 52854 $200 Mazda Porsche Parts USA-CA(Rancho-Cordova)1-800-699-2664
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 Ele Cont Unit (ECU), frm 1/85 (VIN 94 F- 55021 $200 Mazda Porsche Parts USA-CA(Rancho-Cordova) 1-800-699-2664
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 0261200086 $195 A-German Auto Parts and Service USA-CA(San-Jose)1-408-993-9711
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 -CHECK # A CC552 $150 All Foreign Auto Parts USA-NV(Las-Vegas) 1-800-797-4607
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 Ele Cont Unit (ECU), (DME)-0261200077 010608 $100 Atlantic Auto Parts USA-NC(Newport) 1-800-950-9443
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 000225063 $50 Runion's Recycling USA-NC(Roseboro) 1-910-525-5416
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 -ECU 0 261 200 058 OR 944 618 121 02-U A 24604 $Call Stockton Auto Dismantlers USA-CA(Stockton) 1-800-235-8733
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 AUT,CK TYPE 301104 $Call Robertson Auto Salvage USA-MA(Wareham) 1-800-551-7000
1989
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 4CYL,W-AC,FLR L3291 $Call Medford Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Medford) 1-631-289-1772
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 8-87,2.5L,5SPD 040238 $Call Venice Auto Parts USA-PA(Philadelphia) 1-800-523-1600
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 021187 $Call Action Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Massapequa) 1-800-562-8811
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 0 261 200 077 031472 $Call Action Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Massapequa) 1-800-562-8811
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 051187 $Call Action Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Massapequa) 1-800-562-8811
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 95161811309 944 $Call Silver Star Recycling USA-CA(Rancho-Cordova) 1-800-783-4911
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 2.5,5SPD 4L0435 $Call Lindale Auto Parts USA-OH(New-Richmond) 1-513-797-6707
1988
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 2.5,MT,94461812105 309531 $Call Paradise Auto Parts USA-MD(Elkton) 1-888-811-5051
1987
Engine Computer
Porsche 924 T-41233 0261200077 5421 $Call Ace Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Deer-Park) 1-800-273-3347
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 Ele Cont Unit (ECU), frm 1/85 (VIN 94 F- 17323 $Call E & J Auto Wreckers, Inc. USA-CA(Hayward) 1-800-440-5865
1986
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 0261200015 PORSHE $Call Magic Used Auto Parts USA-FL(Clearwater)1-727-573-7751
1985
Engine Computer
Porsche 944 5599 $Call Shull's Auto Wrecking USA-WA(Brewster) 1-800-822-5761

where do you get lists like that razor?

GeorgeB at clarks-garage sent me this...

"The .03 is for ROW cars, probably without catalytic converter and higher compression.

My advice is to replace like for like, since the .02 dmes are still around."

$1000 difference for a computer that works without a cat?
there *has* to be more.. where's wilk when ya need him? he'd have the answer i'm sure...

The CX price is for a rebuilt unit, add the core charge.
The .04 price is for a new unit.

That said, nobody pays these prices.

So my car has been starting and staying on without any problems for the past week after resoldering my ECU. Although yesterday I was at the mall and after getting back in my car and driving for a couple of minutes the car shut off and wouldn't start again without tapping the DME.

I pulled my DME relay out and it smells like it's been blown. The car drives fine afterwards but can tapping my ECU override the relay when starting? Does the relay consistently run while driving?

Tapping your ECU to get it going again means that your resoldering job did not fix your problem. It does not have anything to do with the relay, although wishful thinking might hope that it were so.

the relay does need to constantly make the contacts to keep the car running. A short or loose connection in the ecu can cause the relay to go bad as it can make the relay contacts short. keep a spare of both in your car, just in case.

Back to resoldering. :(
These tabs are getting so worn out from opening and closing the DME they are starting to break off.

i really dont think your solder joints are what's causing the problem..
swapping the computer with someone in your area (been a while since i've read this post so i cant remember if you've tried that or not) will tell you..

but i think you're just gonna bork things up even more with that soldering iron..

The problem is that it is doesn't work so randomly that I couldn't swap someone elses to test because mine starts my car most of the time too. I would have to borrow someone elses for a 3 weeks to a month to see if there was any change.

all electronics are grounded,probably through the wiring...

then kevin, what i would suggest would be to buy a second hand ecu.... I know you're a 'cheap bastard'.. lol but if it doesn't solve your problem, then you know you could just turn around and sell it again for just as much.

that's what I would do before you destroy your current ECU and have no choice but to buy (and keep) another one... and still, potentially, be left with the problem of your car not starting...

I think that's good advice Eldorado. As you can see, some of them are as cheap as $50. If $50 fixes your problems, then that's a pretty cheap Porsche repair.

Where do you guys see ECUs for $50? I've checked ebay but they are far more expensive and don't match the part number I need (944.618.121.02).

If anyone has one for sale matching this number please let me know!

make a post in the classifieds.. i'm sure out of the dozens of people parting out cars, there has to be a few willing to sell their DME... not sure if you'll get it for $50, but i'm willing to bet you'll get one for less than $100.