auto & Heavy Duty computer supply

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Removing the ECM for Testing and Repair

Have you checked your ECM? Many times a failing engine control module or ECM can give bad readings about an engine's performance. Many times this leads an owner to purchasing parts you may not need (i.e. distributor, coil, injectors, O₂sensors, ISC (idle speed control, idle air control).

If you have a car manufactured between 1985-1999, your engine management system ECM(s) and body control computers may have a higher propensity for failure and may fail eventually. This is likely due to several factors including the mounting and location of the units, and a critical implementation and utilization of internal components including several models of electrolytic capacitors that have proved to have inherent intolerance to heat. The mounting location of ECM units which often means the components are subjected to heat over 100F temperature sometimes. The current through the lands of the units also led to many problems that have been occurring separately and some indirectly affecting other controllers with adverse affects. The caps often will intermittently loose there ability to function properly such as storing a voltage charge for future use or providing a clean voltage signal for proper operation. Eventually they can lead to other fatal malfunctions of other components including injectors, coils, actuators which can in turn be another diagnostic nightmare. These components were used by the millions in hundreds of applications by among others: Mitsubishi, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, Ford, OKI & Kefico in the manufacturing of their ECM's, PC's, TV's, DVD's etc..

The dealership cost on these units is anywhere from $650-$2000. This doesn't always include reflash when needed or key/security immobilizers and transponders which are the new very serious and potentially very expensive reality. Before you spend any money, consider a second opinion on the diagnosis. We have been rebuilding, testing and selling ECM's over the Internet since 1997. Many of the units can be tested by out technicians some in actual test cars! When available a repair or replacement service can be applied.

If you would like to locate your unit to have your ECM tested or serviced, follow the upcoming directions or call toll free for assistance at 1-TRIPPLE "8"-ECM-ToGo 1-888-326-8646 or direct (Houston Metro) at 281-922-1900. If you do not see your year or model, please contact us and we have a computerized system to tell where every computer is located on all vehicles. We can then evaluate which product will best suit your needs and your budget or that of your customer.

OPENING THE ECM FOR EXAMINATION:

IMPORTANT NOTE: In some rare cases it is better to leave ECU removal to the professionals due to some labor intensive mounting by some "ingenious engineers". Our recommendation is if you are not the mechanic, get a price to remove and then re-install the ECM after servicing or replacement to determine if it is in your time/financial budget. For you mechanics and DIYers, however it is relatively easy to find and remove most of the units yourself. It is usually safe to open the unit which is also very easy (except the Chrysler/Mopar units or gel filled sealed units). When you can gain access to the inside of a unit, this will allow you to look and smell for burns or corrosion. If you see nothing, it does not necessarily mean you have no problems, but it may help you verify your diagnosis if it is. You may put any personal I.D. marks on the unit before sending it in if it makes you more comfortable. All units determined not repairable will be returned to the customer upon request at owner's expense.

If you have any questions, please call us toll free 1-888-326-8646

FINDING AND REMOVING THE ENGINE COMPUTERS

How to find the ECM for the Laser (1989-94), Talon (1989-98) Eclipse (1989-1999) OBD-I, II:

click on thumbnail pics to enlarge

Eclipse/Laser/Talon 1.8l Test car Eclipse/Laser/Talon 2.0 turbo test car

1991-99 Eclipse/Laser/Talon ECM excludes 1995-99 Chrysler non-turbo

How to remove the ECM for Eclipse/Laser/Talon ECM engine controller (excludes 1995-99 Chrysler non-turbo):

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing unit!!! The ECM for engine control is located under the console area near the firewall of engine compartment inside the car. To find it you must remove the small plastic decorative caps and remove the Phillips head screws on both sides of center console area. This area is under the shifter and emergency brake. After removing screws from both sides, remove the trim panels on both sides to expose the areas under the console. Now look toward the front of the car in the center, under the stereo & A/C area of dash. The ECM is sitting upside-down with 3 plugs in it. It is gold in color and the size is approximately 6"x5"x1.5". You will need a 10mm or 12mm socket or wrench to unscrew the 3 fasteners holding the ECM in place. It is in there tight, so take your time. To remove the 3 plugs connecting the ECM to the wiring harness, you must depress the small tab in the center of each plug and pull down or in an outward motion.

How to find the ECM for Galant, Diamante, Lexus ES300, LS400, Camry, Mirage, Colt, Summit (most), Excel & Elantra models (1989-1999) Also for Mazda 626 & MX-6, Ford Probe PCM engine/transmission combo control unit (1993-94):

1991 Galant 2.0 DOHC test car

Galant/Mirage/Colt/Diamante/Summit: harness on left is for auto trans TCU with unit removed and harness pulled. Harness on right shows unit removed for with molding removed as well as unit unattached from harness.

1990-95 Galant ECM 1989-95 Mirage/Colt/Summit ECM

How to remove the ECM for Galant/Diamante/ES300/LS400/Camry/Mirage/Colt/Summit:

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing unit!! Inside the cab on the passenger side remove the trim on the underside of the glove compartment. There should be three screws holding the trim piece in place. This exposes the ECM which in most cases is mounted in the kick panel area of the passenger side or underside behind glove box and sometime the unit is mounted in a receded position, back into the kick panel area. Sometimes the unit is recessed and you may not see anything but the wiring harness. Use your 10 or12mm socket or wrench to remove the mounts. Unplug the 3 plugs by depressing the tab in the center of plug and pulling away.

How to find the ECM for Stealth/3000GT engine control computers ECM (1990-1999) OBD-I

3000GT SL test car

Interior of 3000GT/Stealth with ECM (engine controller) shown un-mounted & removed from center console with harness attached. The TCU (transmission controller-auto trans only) is located between console frame shown and firewall. It is the unit you see mounted.

click on thumbnail to enlarge

1991-99 3000GT/Stealth ECM

How to remove the ECM for 3000GT/Stealth ECM engine controller:

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing unit!!! The ECM for engine control is located under the console area near the firewall of engine compartment inside the car. To find it you must remove the small plastic decorative caps and remove the Phillips head screws on both sides of center console area. This area is under the shifter and emergency brake. After removing screws from both sides, remove the trim panels on both sides to expose the areas under the console. Now look toward the front of the car in the center, under the stereo & A/C area of dash. The ECM is sitting on its side with 3 plugs in it. It is gold in color and the size is approximately 6"x5"x1.5". You will need a 10mm or 12mm socket or wrench to unscrew the 3 fasteners holding the ECM in place. There are 2 fasteners on the drivers side and 1 on the passenger side. It is in there tight, so take your time. To remove the 3 plugs connecting the ECM to the wiring harness, you must depress the small tab in the center of each plug and pull down or in an outward motion.

How to find the ECS for Stealth/3000GT/Diamante suspension control computers(1991-1998)

location of ECS inside picture ECS unit

How to remove the ECM for 3000GT/Stealth/Diamante ECS electronic controlled suspension unit:

Be sure to remove the negative battery terminal before attempting removal of unit!! Many of the higher end Stealth/3000GT models and some Diamante models have a computer controlled suspension option. These computers are located in the passenger rear hatch area. Remove the plastic window panel just to the right of the passenger rear tail light removal panel. There you will see the gray colored computer if you car is equipped with it. It is mounted by three screws. There is a harness with 2 smaller plugs in the unit.

Important note for all drivers of Mitsubishi vehicles with Electronic Controlled Suspension ECS modules:

These models cars utilizing the Mitsubishi ESC have internal component failure much like the ECM's. The bad news further is the damage can not always be seen before it may directly or indirectly adversely affect irreparable damage to the ECM or its divers which control idle, coil pack drivers, and ignition. So a suspension module which is not repaired replaced or disconnected, can and often does do major damage to the ECM. You may see the adverse affects of the failed or failing ESC in an ECM with symptoms including no start, rough idle, misfire of coil packs or no firing of same coil pack even when interchanging with good coil pack. Often the symptoms may not occur or show until engine reaches operating temperature. Be sure to disconnect your ECS module BEFORE reinstalling repaired or new ECM unit.

How to find the ECM for Mazda MPV 2.6 liter 4 cylinder only (1990-1999) ECM engine controller:

The engine computers for the MPV's are usually located under the carpet of the passenger side floor/foot rest area. Remove the carpet, which may require loosening the door jam or trim areas of passenger kick panel. Once the carpet is pulled back you should see a large (and you'll find out soon, quite heavy) "bash" or protection plate. This can be removed by extracting the fastening screws to the plate and moving the plate to the side. There are two plugs in the unit. Depress the center of the tab and pull away from the unit

Mazda B2200i/B2600i PU 1990-1998

B2600i/B2200i test truck ECM with molding removed Mazda PU B2600i, B2200i ECM

How to remove the ECM for Mazda B2200i/B2600i PU ECM engine controller:

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing unit!! Inside the cab on the passenger side remove the trim on the kick panel to the right by removing the Phillips head screws. This exposes the ECM. Use your 10 or12mm socket or wrench to remove the mounts. Unplug the 3 plugs from the harness (on Mitsubishi/Dodge) or 2 plugs from the harness (Mazda) by depressing the tab in the center of plug and pulling away.

How to find the ECM for Montero, Mighty Max, Dodge Raider, Dodge Ram, D-50 Pick-ups (1990-1999):

Montero 3.0 test truck ECM removed from mounting

Montero/Mighty Max/Ram/Raider/Pajero ECM shown removed from mounting location passenger side kick panel removed and harness unplugged

Montero/Raider ECM unit

Mighty Max/Ram-50 PU ECM

How to remove the ECM for Montero, Mighty Max, Dodge Raider, Dodge Ram, D-50 Pick-ups (1990-1996) ECM engine controller:

How to find the ECM for Tracker, Sidekick models (1989-1998)

PIC 1 PIC 2 PIC 3

PIC 1: Tracker/Sidekick 1.6 liter tbi test car

PIC 2: Tracker/Sidekick ECM is mounted under the steering column on a bracket. Plastic cover under steering wheel is shown removed.

PIC 3: Tracker/Sidekick ECM is shown removed from mounting location and pulled down for removal

Tracker/Sidekick ECM

How to remove the ECM for Tracker, Sidekick models (1989-1998) ECM engine controller:

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing the unit!! Inside the drivers side floor board area, look directly up toward the steering wheel/console area. You will see the unit which is gray/blue colored and likely to be covered in plastic for protection from water. The unit will have a number designation of 33920 as a prefix and 5 digits after designating specifics of unit type. Do not remove the black control box which is located in close proximity or the ignition/fuel relay which is also close or in some cases, attached to the unit. The mounts are on the top on unit and are somewhat more difficult to get to. Some have removed part of the console to get to the area, but this is not always required. Remove the 2 plugs from the harness by depressing the center of the plug and pulling away from the unit.

How to find the ECM for Samurai Models (1990-1994)

Samurai test car ECM location with unit removed and harness showing

Samurai ECM

How to remove the ECM for Samurai Models (1990-1994) ECM engine controller:

Be sure to unplug the battery terminals before removing the unit!!! The engine control unit is located on the passenger side kick panel usually just below the glove compartment. Be advised the relays are attached to the unit!! So exercise precaution. The mounts are on the bottom and the top. When removed take your time to remove it from the tight area.

How to find the TCU for most Mitsubishi model transmission control modules:

Most Mitsubishi/DSM transmission controllers are in center console mounted on a bracket. Shown here is unit removed with harness pulled out (harness on left).

transmission controller ECM TCU

1990-99 Eclipse/Laser/Talon auto transmission controller ECM TCU removal directions:

If you have an Mitsubishi vehicle 1989-1994 with AT (automatic transmission), you will have a TCU or transmission control unit. These computers are also failure-prone. We can test and repair most TCUs 1989-1994 as well. The TCU for most Mitsubishi's is located behind the stereo dash area towards the front of the engine control ECM usually, closer to the firewall. The TCU is set differently in that it is laying flat or horizontal as apposed to the ECM, which is normally vertical and upside-down. The other possibility is under the emergency brake area. NOTE: not all the aforementioned cars have problems with the TCU's. Call for more info. Look for the unit towards the front of the center console near the firewall. It is attached to a mounting bracket that should be removed first. There are mounting bolts near the firewall and the back of console. Be careful when removing the unit with mounting bracket due to the wiring harness attachment. Remove the Two or three plugs by depressing in center of tab and pulling away from the unit.

How to find the ECM and Transmission Computers for most Honda's 1989-1999:

Honda Accord 2.2 l test car

Location ECM and TCU (shown) 1991-92 Honda Accord 2.2l auto transmission TCU

How to remove the ECM for 1990-94 Honda Accord/Civic ECM & TCU:

The engine and transmission computers for the Hondas are usually located under the carpet of the passenger side floor/foot rest area. Remove the carpet, which may require loosening the door jam or trim areas of passenger kick panel. Once the carpet is pulled back you should see a large (and you'll find out soon, quite heavy) "bash" or protection plate. This can be removed by extracting the fastening screws to the plate and moving the plate to the side. There are two or three plugs in each unit. Depress the center of the tab and pull away from the unit. The transmission computer is the one with the prefix part number "28100" and the engine controller has a prefix of "37820". The transmission TCU controller will manifest malfunctioning by shifting problems or lack of shifting. Most transmission computers when failing, your car will likely be in "limp mode" or "fail safe" mode which is 3rd gear and reverse only and the "D" or "D4" or "S" or Sport light light will flash or stay lit. The engine computer ECM malfunctioning will manifest as drivability, ignition, fuel or spark problems. Be sure to check your distributor and ignition components before investing in an engine controller.

OBD-II ENGINE COMPUTERS FOR ECLIPSE/LASER/TALON/SEBRING/AVENGER 2.0 NON TURBO:

1995 only Eclipse/Laser/Talon 2.0 non-turbo Chrysler/Mopar ECM top view

1995 only Eclipse/Laser/Talon 2.0 non-turbo Mopar ECM bottom view

How to find the ECM for 1995-99 only Eclipse/Laser/Talon/Sebring/Avenger 2.0 NON-TURBO ECM engine controller and removal directions:

Most OBD-II (1995-2001) for the DSM's 2.0 NON-TURBO's (turbo's are still where the 1st generation ECU's are located, see above) are manufactured by Mopar/Chrysler. They are located in the engine compartment often mounted to the engine. This of course is a dangerous environment for the computer and has proved to be quite costly on the delicate unit and subsequently on the consumer! Most of these units require programming to VIN specs and we can accommodate most units with a factory reman flashed to current mileage and VIN like it was never gone! We just need the old unit for core or you will likely be charged an additional core fee. Call for details.

OBD-II ENGINE COMPUTERS FOR CHRYSLER/MOPAR

Most OBD-II (1995-2005) are located in the engine compartment often mounted to the engine. This of course is a dangerous environment for the computer and has proved to be quite costly on the delicate unit and subsequently on the consumer! Most of these units require programming to VIN specs and we can accommodate most units with a factory reman flashed to current mileage and VIN like it was never gone! We just need the old unit for core or you will likely be charged an additional core fee. Call for details.

OPENING THE ECM FOR EXAMINATION:

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is relatively easy to find and remove most of the units yourself. it is usually safe to open the unit which is also very easy (accept the Chrysler/Mopar units). This will allow you to look and smell for burns or corrosion. If you see nothing, it does not necessarily mean you have no problems, but it may help you verify your diagnosis. You may put any personal I.D. marks on the unit before sending it in if it makes you more comfortable. All units determined not repairable will be returned to the customer upon request at owner's expense.

If you have any questions, please call us toll free 1-888-326-8646

shipping info: click for SEND UNIT FORM link to send in ECM for cars & light trucks

or click HD ECM send unit form link to send in heavy duty ECM for test/repair

Automotive Computer Supply ECM To-Go
15255 Gulf Fwy Bldg 121-C
Houston, TX 77034

Servicing hundreds of Dealerships and Repair Shops & helping people via the World Wide Web since 1997

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