ECU repair?

[Zillo]

Hi all. Hopefully posting this in the correct place…

Been chasing a fault for a while now and have discovered this (see below).
I’ve had it sent off to ECU Testing and they can’t do anything with it and are sending it back. I’ve had a couple of other places contacted and they gave a similar response without seeing it.
My question is: is it possible to acquire an exact same ECU and get it matched to your car? If so, can somebody please recommend somebody who can do that? Lastly, do you also have to change the EWS, ignition barrel and locks too?
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

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[Lee]

To answer your question 'Yes' if you buy the same ECU you can have the ecu info copied over.

Which ecu are you holding an MS42 ?

 

[Zillo]

Hi Lee,
It’s an M5.2 for an M44.
A Bosch ECU: part number 0261 203 667

 

[Andyboy]

Or buy another M44 ECU kit. You'll need the ECU, the fag packet sized EWS module behind the dash and the ignition key from which you remove the small EWS chip and fit it to your key.

A 1995-2000 318Ti Compact ECU is the same.

As if by magic.....

BMW E36 3 SERIES PETROL Engine ECU/EWS Kit #56917 0261203667/1429924 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BMW E36 3 SERIES PETROL Engine ECU/EWS Kit #56917 0261203667/1429924 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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[Zillo]

Or buy another M44 ECU kit. You'll need the ECU, the fag packet sized EWS module behind the dash and the ignition key from which you remove the small EWS chip and fit it to your key.

A 1995-2000 318Ti Compact ECU is the same.

As if by magic.....

BMW E36 3 SERIES PETROL Engine ECU/EWS Kit #56917 0261203667/1429924 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BMW E36 3 SERIES PETROL Engine ECU/EWS Kit #56917 0261203667/1429924 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks for that. I suggested this to the mechanic early doors, but he said he’d had mixed results when he had done this in the past. I’ll be going down this route now though.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[Devon Z]

I had a similar issue with the engine ecu on my 05 Range Rover Sport when it got water inside, the main problem was information needed to be retrieved from the old ecu to then code into the new ecu. Give the guy his due he kept replacing damaged components till he managed get the info then cloned a second hand ecu.

If it hadn’t worked it was going to be a nightmare as there were soo many components all coded to each other that just an ecu, ignition switch, instrument cluster doesn’t always work.

The old guy I found was a genius his workshop was an aladins cave of ecu’s and test kit.

 

[Zillo]

Spot on. I’ve got hold of a complete kit including every lock and electrical component and the mechanic is going to change everything that needs changing to get it going again.

 

[Andyboy]

Changing the steering lock and door handles is a PITA. The door handle alone is hours of work. Early ones have key locks on both doors as well. Just swap the small EWS chip over from the 'new' key to your existing one - 2 minutes work and you retain the original locks.

An ECU swap takes about an hour all in. You can do it yourself. The ECU under the bonnet, EWS box behind the glovebox or by the steering column and that key chip. The car will then run and drive.

 

[Zillo]

Thanks Andy. Appreciate your help.

I bought the whole kit as it was the only choice with the correct ECU when I looked recently. The car has been at the garage for a month now due to nailing down the issue with bad running and cutting out. The guy is initially installing the ECU, EWS and swapping the chip to be certain these things finally fix it. Once I can drive it home, I may slowly swap things over.

 

[Andyboy]

OK.
Be aware that Z3 door handles are unique - they are almost identical to the E36 and will actually bolt in, but the lock release arm is the wrong length. Facelift door handles don't have the same central locking sensor wiring either.

There is really no point in swapping the locks over.

 

[Zillo]

Got it. I’ve got better things to do, so I’ll be sticking the rest of the package on eBay then.
Thank you.

 

[Zillo]

Just to finish this thread. ECU, EWS and chip swapped over and all working fine and back home.