Z3 Urgent Help Required

[t-tony]

I have found that sometimes companies who don't ship to the UK don't bother to answer emails. The local BMW dealer (Feilds) in Orlando is one. Quite rude IMHO.

Tony.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Frankie hope you are ok.

Just wondered if you have you had any more correspondence re the ECU unit I have emailed the company twice but had no response might try to phone them to see if I have any better luck.
Lizzie

I didn't realize that you ween't able to contact the company. When I read your last post, I decided to call them myself and fing out what was going on. I got in touch with the man I had spoken to about it and told him that you had e-mailed him with no results. I asked him if they returned e-mails from the UK. He said in a matter-of-fact way that I had called over 4 weels ago and did I still expect them to have the part? What a jerk. If I ever spoke that way to a prospective customer it would be my last day on the job as I'd get sacked. While I feel bed that the part is no longer available, I wonder if it would have been a good transaction since they have a bad attitude. Who knows? Someone like that might have tried to sell us the wrong part. Not the end of the world. And it could be that Providence was actually looking out for us. I'll try to search again to see what comes up. I need to know what year your car is. I know it's a 2.8L Z3 and I had told them it was a 2000 but I don't remember actually getting the year. Please get back to me as soon as possible. ........Frankie

 

[Lizzie Hesilrige]

I didn't realize that you ween't able to contact the company. When I read your last post, I decided to call them myself and fing out what was going on. I got in touch with the man I had spoken to about it and told him that you had e-mailed him with no results. I asked him if they returned e-mails from the UK. He said in a matter-of-fact way that I had called over 4 weels ago and did I still expect them to have the part? What a jerk. If I ever spoke that way to a prospective customer it would be my last day on the job as I'd get sacked. While I feel bed that the part is no longer available, I wonder if it would have been a good transaction since they have a bad attitude. Who knows? Someone like that might have tried to sell us the wrong part. Not the end of the world. And it could be that Providence was actually looking out for us. I'll try to search again to see what comes up. I need to know what year your car is. I know it's a 2.8L Z3 and I had told them it was a 2000 but I don't remember actually getting the year. Please get back to me as soon as possible. ........Frankie

Thank-you Frankie.

You are probably right about Providence looking out for us.I did email them with-in 24 hours of receiving your email saying they had the part also the following week I just needed to clarify that the part was correct. It is so frustrating when people treat you with so little respect.

I shall give you as many details as I can.

1999 Z3 2.8 automatic ECU unit code 24601423845 Vin No WBACH32070LC67672.

I know you probably have most of these details.

Thank-you again your help is invaluable.

Lizzie ;<)

 

[FRANKIE]

Thank-you Frankie.

You are probably right about Providence looking out for us.I did email them with-in 24 hours of receiving your email saying they had the part also the following week I just needed to clarify that the part was correct. It is so frustrating when people treat you with so little respect.

I shall give you as many details as I can.

1999 Z3 2.8 automatic ECU unit code 24601423845 Vin No WBACH32070LC67672.

I know you probably have most of these details.

Thank-you again your help is invaluable.

Lizzie ;<)

.making calls now
Thanks for the info..........Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

Thank-you Frankie.

You are probably right about Providence looking out for us.I did email them with-in 24 hours of receiving your email saying they had the part also the following week I just needed to clarify that the part was correct. It is so frustrating when people treat you with so little respect.

I shall give you as many details as I can.

1999 Z3 2.8 automatic ECU unit code 24601423845 Vin No WBACH32070LC67672.

I know you probably have most of these details.

Thank-you again your help is invaluable.

Lizzie ;<)

I keep getting the response that each ECU is programmed to your car's vin number. I was just told that before I could buy anything, I must first find someone who can flust out the replacement unit and reprogram it. I think you were saying something about this with the replacement unit you bought. If your car doesn't run properly after the replacement unit was installed, is it possible that it was not recoded to your vin number? Apparently, the coding for the new unit is complex in that it must be able to recognize everything sepcific to your car, such as the key, alarm system, auto box, etc. I can't imagine that this can't be done as ECU can go bad and BMW wouldn't expect you to throw the car away. Perhaps other members of the forum might be able to find or know someone who can do this properly. All you may need is the replacrment unit you already have. I don't know what else to tell you. I just got off the phone with some one in Texas that told me he could send me a compatible unit but I'd be waisting my money without someone to reprogarm it. Frankie

 

[t-tony]

Well done Frankie, if that is the case it may be a simpler fix after all, just may need programming to the car so surely a BMW dealer should be able to that?

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

Well done Frankie, if that is the case it may be a simpler fix after all, just may need programming to the car so surely a BMW dealer should be able to that?

Tony.

Agreed Tony. Slightly off track but is that not what they do when they remap your car? Very similar process surely?

 

[t-tony]

Agreed Tony. Slightly off track but is that not what they do when they remap your car? Very similar process surely?

I'm not sure Andy, especially as this is an auto g/box issue, but you could well be right mate.

Tony.

 

[Lizzie Hesilrige]

I keep getting the response that each ECU is programmed to your car's vin number. I was just told that before I could buy anything, I must first find someone who can flust out the replacement unit and reprogram it. I think you were saying something about this with the replacement unit you bought. If your car doesn't run properly after the replacement unit was installed, is it possible that it was not recoded to your vin number? Apparently, the coding for the new unit is complex in that it must be able to recognize everything sepcific to your car, such as the key, alarm system, auto box, etc. I can't imagine that this can't be done as ECU can go bad and BMW wouldn't expect you to throw the car away. Perhaps other members of the forum might be able to find or know someone who can do this properly. All you may need is the replacrment unit you already have. I don't know what else to tell you. I just got off the phone with some one in Texas that told me he could send me a compatible unit but I'd be waisting my money without someone to reprogarm it. Frankie

Hi Frankie. I really do not want to sound negative and with the little knowledge I have I have to be guided by the experts.My car has been seen buy a gear box specialist and a diagnostics expert who both agree that the ECU unit is incorrect and therefor cannot be reprogrammed to be compatible with my car.I sincerely wish that it could.We are maybe thinking that we should go down the route of replacing the gear box not an option I really wanted to think about as the gear box in my car has been rebuilt so is working perfectly but with all the help from you guys we still cannot find the unit it might have to be the only option left.Like I said I am by no means an expert.Your thought's on this would be most welcome.
Lizzie.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Frankie. I really do not want to sound negative and with the little knowledge I have I have to be guided by the experts.My car has been seen buy a gear box specialist and a diagnostics expert who both agree that the ECU unit is incorrect and therefor cannot be reprogrammed to be compatible with my car.I sincerely wish that it could.We are maybe thinking that we should go down the route of replacing the gear box not an option I really wanted to think about as the gear box in my car has been rebuilt so is working perfectly but with all the help from you guys we still cannot find the unit it might have to be the only option left.Like I said I am by no means an expert.Your thought's on this would be most welcome.
Lizzie.

In one of your posts you printed:

I need a Sender unit original code 24.60.1.423.845 the new code is 24.60.1.423.974 can you help

Are these numbers actually printed on the unit itself. Have you actually seen the unit yourself and seen these numbers. The reason I'm asking if that if I continue to call around for an ECU using the number you gave me, will a parts person be able to look at a Z3 ECU and see this number? Frankie

 

[Lizzie Hesilrige]

In one of your posts you printed:

I need a Sender unit original code 24.60.1.423.845 the new code is 24.60.1.423.974 can you help

Are these numbers actually printed on the unit itself. Have you actually seen the unit yourself and seen these numbers. The reason I'm asking if that if I continue to call around for an ECU using the number you gave me, will a parts person be able to look at a Z3 ECU and see this number? Frankie

Hi Frankie.

Unfortunately when the gear box was rebuilt it transpired that the ECU unit that was installed was incorrect. We have the unit but the outer casing which would have had the number on has been discarded by the garage that rebuilt the box! (the original had been replaced presumably by the previous owner for whatever reason?).BMW have given us two part numbers that they inform us would be correct for a Z3 auto 2.8 1999. The first which was the original that has now apparently been discontinued being 24.60.1.423.845. We are advised the updated replacement number is 24.60.1.423.974. (also discontinued). It looks as though the last three digits are the crucial number.

Hey...once again many thanks for your ongoing support!

 

[oldcarman]

Hang in there and see what @FRANKIE can come up with. I'll keep checking out breakers in Canada using both numbers but we didn't have near the number of cars sold here in Canada as were sold in the USA thus not many breakers keep anything that old around in their lots and sell them for scrap when the prices are high. Hope we luck out and find something soon!! JIM

 

[DavidM]

Hi There.

Thanks for coming back. We took it to a garage after the gearbox gained a problem. They sorted gear box out but the existing ECU had blown. They replaced it with the wrong ECU, and threw the existing one away. The car only drives now in sports mode and won't hit 4th gear. It appears the existing incorrect ECU is sending wrong messages to gear box. BMW informs us that the part number we submitted to you is the correct one for the car. Unfortunately it is discontinued hence us trying to obtain a used one from a breaker or wherever!

Thanks for your help.

Kind regards.

Lizzie and Charlie

Would these guys be of any use to your search for an ECU? I found them very helpful when I needed parts - although I understand the difficulty you are having in tracking down the part you need. Best of luck!

http://www.fabdirect.com/bmw-parts-...-To-2003---ECU-Automatic-Transmission/1/6683/

 

[Lizzie Hesilrige]

Would these guys be of any use to your search for an ECU? I found them very helpful when I needed parts - although I understand the difficulty you are having in tracking down the part you need. Best of luck!

http://www.fabdirect.com/bmw-parts-...-To-2003---ECU-Automatic-Transmission/1/6683/

Hello David.

Thank-you so much for your input. I have contacted Fab Direct but unfortunately they were unable to help.They were extremely helpful but didn't hold out much hope of me finding the ECU.

Still not one to be deterred I shall carry on looking.

Thank-you again.

Lizzie.

 

[Lizzie Hesilrige]

Hang in there and see what @FRANKIE can come up with. I'll keep checking out breakers in Canada using both numbers but we didn't have near the number of cars sold here in Canada as were sold in the USA thus not many breakers keep anything that old around in their lots and sell them for scrap when the prices are high. Hope we luck out and find something soon!! JIM

Hi Jim.
Thank-you for your kind words.
It is unbelievably frustrating.I cannot believe with all the people helping me that the part cannot be found. I have just contacted a company that David M who is involved with this forum messaged me about but had no luck.
I shall as you so kindly said hang on in there.
Kind regards Lizzie.

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Jim.
Thank-you for your kind words.
It is unbelievably frustrating.I cannot believe with all the people helping me that the part cannot be found. I have just contacted a company that David M who is involved with this forum messaged me about but had no luck.
I shall as you so kindly said hang on in there.
Kind regards Lizzie.

Got some info for you but it will take about 15 minutes to get it all to you. Working on it now....Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi Jim.
Thank-you for your kind words.
It is unbelievably frustrating.I cannot believe with all the people helping me that the part cannot be found. I have just contacted a company that David M who is involved with this forum messaged me about but had no luck.
I shall as you so kindly said hang on in there.
Kind regards Lizzie.

I tried several places from a web site that's great for finding things. First this is the link address that I was looking at:

http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi When I copy and paste this, it doesn't work or come out to the page I want you to see. You might have to put in all your information and select ECU motor. Or go to

The ones I pasted below don't paste very well on here and are spread out. I recommend that you click on the link above, or copy and paste it and then look at that list and compare it to the ones I contacted. The ones I contacted have the part in stock. Some have the key and immobilizer with it. If it's going to be reprogrammed, I don't know if you really need these with the ECU. If you go to this link and click on the pictures, you can see the cars they came out of. The last one on the list doesn't have a name or address but I clicked on the picture and the name of the place came up. Here it is:

A & G Auto Recycling  

3.0Address: 80760 N Pacific Hwy, Creswell, OR 97426
Phone: (541) 942-9067
I called them and spoke to Tom. he sent me some pictures:
https://cpprohomeky.car-part.com/image?seller=4111&partGUID=4111-1-289785&vehicleGUID=4111-1-V8170&display=2000 BMW Z3 Engine Computer-Stock# IK5726#
He said the car this came out of had 17,000 miles on it. It might be the one in the Picture I think this is the plate from the door. It's an automatic from 2000 but manuf. in 1999. Also, I asked him what his best price was and he said $100 but he would ship it to me for free. This will take you a while to look through this. Let me know what you think but don't take too long as these things aren't available for too long. Frankie

also:

I called some of these places and copy and pasted the ones I called:

1999
Engine Computer
BMW Z3

1430846 1430844 w/Key & Immobilizer

A

IA098

$300

Weber Bros AutoUSA-PA(Annville)Request_Quote1-800-222-2528Request_Insurance_124
_______________________________________________________________________________




1999
Engine Computer
BMW Z3

Elec Cont Unit (ECU), 2.8L,2.8L,MANUAL TRANS

A

RC105

$200

Fleetwood Motors Company VARAUSA-VA(King-William)Request_Quote1-800-800-6826Request_Insurance_Quote


176
____________________________________________________________________




1999
Engine Computer
BMW Z3

ECU,1433588

A

1Z0064

$125

Toms Foreign Auto Parts - QRP PartnerUSA-CT(Waterbury)Request_Quote1-800-255-6656Request_Insurance_Quote

171
________________________________________________________________________




2000
Engine Computer
BMW Z3

2.8,MS42

A

IK5726

$100

 

[andyglym]

@FRANKIE you Sir are a legend! Great skills, hope it does the trick mate.

 

[oldcarman]

Do these come with a guarantee to work @FRANKIE? Most places here will on an exchange basis only if the part is faulty. This seems to be a rare animal indeed up here in Canada. JIM

 

[DavidM]

Excellent work @FRANKIE - here's hoping a solution is found for @Lizzie Hesilrige