Trying to get an idea of how wide spread the capacitor issue is on various models/years. Have you had problems related to leaking capacitors in your OEM ECU?

 

Have not heard of this, what years are most affected?

 

This has been a recurring issue in the LS's. Have seen mention and pictures from GS, SC and across other car forums including Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. Years usually fall within the 89-98. A similar time to when bad capacitors were showing up in other electronics like computer mother boards. An online buddy relayed his electronics buddy has repaired radio gear also with bad caps so to him this wasn't an uncommon issue with 90's electronics.

The following are symptoms of bad ECU capacitors:

engine running bad - poor power/acceleration - can be difficult to reach much speed or RPM
often very hard to start, requires starting fluid
transmission will not automatically shift, only manual shift is possible
no A/C compressor operation
idle speed rolling up and down, or sometimes too low and sometimes too high
speedometer not working reliably
speed (cruise) control not working
tachometer not working sometimes
air bag light flickering intermittently
A/C going into reset with flashing front defog light
check engine light on, but no codes stored
ECU not communicating with scanners or not displaying codes with jumper installed
bad sulfur exhaust smell

 

Interesting. I've had some of those issues, but they can be related to other components as well.

 

When you hit that brick wall of, "it should work but doesn't"...ECU. Mine was showing symptoms of a hesitation going into reverse. When I inspected the ECU, 4 of the capacitors had recently begun leaking. Thankfully it had not reached the PCB so it was not damaged/eaten away.

I've wandered other Japanese car forums to see similar instances from this time period. I've seen pictures from Supras, Honda Civics, Mitsubishi , Mazda... By now the overall value is low that owners will choose to just buy a replacement car so finding the cause goes unseen in those instances. For those who are long term, getting the ECU fixed is pretty easy. Parts cost is ~$5 for the LS crowd.

Some pics fro other cars:

JDM Celsior


'94 GS 300



So if any of the fixes do not yield the results, inspect the ECU to rule this out.

 

I know this is sort of a dead or dormant thread, but how, RA40, do you open the unit to inspect for leaks?
I have it removed finally (!) and wanted to inspect it for leaks before I sent it off to be rebuilt. I removed the 8 screws on both sides of the corners, but the cover plates don't budge.

 

Had our 96es300 ecu rebuilt, not sure what issue was but it was definitely ecu related as the car wouldnt start and even when it did it would die after 5 seconds.