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Possible bad ECU. What would you do?

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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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Default Possible bad ECU. What would you do?

I have a (possibly) bad ECU pictured below:


http://s951.photobucket.com/albums/a...U.jpg&newest=1


Assuming it is bad I have the following options to get my car (hopefully) back up and running:

1) Buy new ECU from dealer at $1,500.

2) Pay to have ECU repaired/rebuilt at $???.

3) Buy a used (condition unknown) ECU for about $100-$150.


Each option has it's pros/cons. Option #1 is expensive, #2 may/may not work and #3 involves trying to get the correct version ECU and (hopefully) a good working one.


What do you all recommend?
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:52 PM
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buy a used one ask aliga im sure he can get you a good one from one of his parted out sc's for cheap
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:56 PM
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Why do you think your ecu is bad???
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:57 PM
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what year is your SC?
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by lexus ASM
Why do you think your ecu is bad???

Sorry, I should have stated that I took the car into the stealership. They said that my no-idle issue is the IACV ... and possibly the ECU. I've replaced the IACV and the car ran (and idled GREAT) for about 5 minutes. I turn the key off and then try to re-start and guess what ... no idle!


BTW my car is a '93 SC400.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 06:17 PM
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I had a bad ecu my car would run to work then wouldn't start after work. I could come back later that night and it would start then after a while it finally gave out. It was i Believe $200 to have it rebuild they replace all the burnt chips and swollen busted caps and what not...
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:10 PM
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If you rebuild the one you have, you'l always have the ecu built for your car. Rebuilt means rebuilt... it ill be like new. If you REALLY like your car and actually think you are going to get money back when you sell it, go ahead. Otherwise find an ecu out there with matching numbers and get it.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:17 PM
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The place I was having it repair by ordered 2 new aftermarket ecu's off the shelf and neither of them worked. The warehouse kept telling the shop they must have been dropped or some BS. Then they were out and only could get the overprices oem new unit. So I opted for the rebuild which was the cheapest option and worked like a charm. It has held up for 2 years now, that's all i can vouch for.

If you want the name of the place PM and ill find it. I know the repair shop wasn't making excuses or anything. I've been going to them for as long as i can remember the owners are my neighbors and life time friends. I personally like having the ecu that matches my car, with newer better components in them and not cheap chinese caps and stuff....
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by twizted
not cheap chinese caps and stuff....
Them expensive Japanese caps are better.
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by O. L. T.
If you rebuild the one you have, you'l always have the ecu built for your car. Rebuilt means rebuilt... it ill be like new. If you REALLY like your car and actually think you are going to get money back when you sell it, go ahead. Otherwise find an ecu out there with matching numbers and get it.

OLT,

Which "matching numbers" ar eyou referring to? I assume they are off the EUC ... but which ones?

Thanks ...
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by O. L. T.
Them expensive Japanese caps are better.
Precisely, I work on mainstream motherboards and boy I can tell yu! Those Chinese caps pop in no time....
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by lexdud
OLT,

Which "matching numbers" ar eyou referring to? I assume they are off the EUC ... but which ones?

Thanks ...
He means the ECU Part #. It's on the top under where it says "toyota." It's the 10 digit code with the dash in the middle. yours is 89661-24230
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 04:43 AM
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Originally Posted by StiCk3
He means the ECU Part #. It's on the top under where it says "toyota." It's the 10 digit code with the dash in the middle. yours is 89661-24230

Thank you ...
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 05:37 AM
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Found this ECU rebuild site while searching idle issues a while ago, but not sure how reputable the company is:

http://www.siaelec.com/index.asp?Pag...S&Category=380


More specifically:

http://www.siaelec.com/index.asp?Pag...D&ProdID=44429


Also found a few on ebay with lifetime warranty that you can probably find on your own.

Last edited by TheMole; Dec 27, 2009 at 05:41 AM.
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Old Dec 27, 2009 | 07:53 AM
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I just replaced a bad ecu in my 300, I bought it $80 shipped from Aliga on these forums.

The numbers Didn't match up, But the ECU works perfectly. Hit him up. Thanks Aliga BTW.
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