need ECM for '99 Q

[dodiho]

OK --finally had a dealership in Austin tell me my ECM is bad-causing all the skips-lurches-ABS/SLIP/TCS dash lights to come on...and the cruise control to not work....help me out...where can I get a good used one and how much should I pay for it? You guys have all been helpful so far! Thanks,Doug in Texas

[miata007]

ECM?

I have the same problem as you (sounds like) and haven't thought about the ECM. I was thinking about changing the coils. When the warning lights come on, what does you RPM read when your car is in D and P? My car's rpm was at 850rpm when in D and 1500 when in P.

By the way, how did your dealership detect the ECM is bad? Consult?

Thanks007

[maxnix]

Was the tech Michael at Austin Infiniti?

I'd swap in a known good one first before decidng that is what you need.

[AlabamaDan]

Someone's parting out a 97 in the classified section.

[dodiho]

Brian...my wife was in town for a seminar and I had her take it by Austin Infiniti...I had the tech call me on cell about 5PM today...he said he couldn't get any readings from the ECM and that the symptoms showed it was a bad ECM---they want almost $2400 to put in a rebuilt one.....BS! I think it was Michael-just not sure......are they a chore to reinstall and reprogram?

the rpms do change some when in P and D--and w/wo AC.....

[maxnix]

I smell and incompetent tech. Read the RO or call them and ask who did the diagnosis if you must.

ECU are easily changed, but cannot realy be programmed by the layman.

I bet your IAC, EGR, TB and plenum are carbonized. ECU seldom fried unless jump started.

[bullittandy]

Doug,

Have you replaced the ABS relay? You have created nearly 1/2 dozen posts on this problem (ABS, SLIP lights) and have not offered any updates.

The skips are very likely caused by a bad coil.

Also, I don't think ECM's can "rebuilt."

[elwesso]

If you need an ECU i have one for a Y33 that ill sell for like $50 shipped.

[dodiho]

Brian...this has turned into such a hassle....my wife did have the car jump started about a month ago-she left the lights on while at a shopping center and had the security guard jump start the car! So this could have "injured" the ECU? Thanks,Doug

[dodiho]

ElWesso....would this "fit" all parameters for my '99Q? It is automatic transmission with no modifications at all. Do I just plug it in and drive? or do I have to go to an Infiniti store and have them program it? Your price is right-I'm just the one lost in the fog here! I heard the NICO ones increase mileage and performance-that so? Do u have a used one of those? Thanks,DOug in Texas

[96Qowner]

I had the tech call me on cell about 5PM today...he said he couldn't get any readings from the ECM and that the symptoms showed it was a bad ECM

Wow, Doug, this doesn't even make sense.

I smell an incompetent tech.

I concur. At any rate, it shouldn't be that hard to find a cheap used ECU. They're under $100 from http://www.car-part.com (Engine Computer) They show two choices - pre 3/99 and post 3/99. No "programming" required, half hour labor, tops, to "install".

[dodiho]

'96...Thanks for the info! mine is a 4/99 production model.....and it is as simple as that,huh?

[96Qowner]

Yup. You could do it yourself as easily.

"Remove the bracket with ECU attached from the footwell first (3 screws?), then remove the ECU from the bracket. The harness is not supposed to be unbolted from the ECU until it has been removed from the footwell."

zerothread?id=288123

Not actually THAT easy. Gotta get past the glove box first. More detail here:

"The ECU installation is not so difficult even I can do it (which is sayign a lot), but it IS a bit of a hassle to get to it.

The below is for a 91 but it should be identical or nearly so for other model years:

1) remove kickpanel right in front of speaker on passenger side front leg room area (on right next to door).It pops out and there is also a screw.2) remove the glove box door3) remove the screws under the glovebox door attaching the kickpanel under the glovebox.4)Now you cna pop out that second kickpanel.5) with the access you just gained remove all the 10mm lugnuts holding the ECU to its bracket, alternatively you can remove it with the entire bracket.6) swap the new ECU into bracket being careful to put the connectors in evenly and at once (to not bend)7) install everything in reverse order."

zerothread?id=9182

[bullittandy]

Doug,

This may be the 5th time I've asked, did you replace the ABS relay?!?!?!?!Can somebody else back me up on this one, I'm starting to act like Brian.

Also, why is anybody listening to a tech that is "incompetent?" Bad ECM's are rare and a bad ECM that causes two very well known problems on the Y33(idle stumble, ABS SLIP, TCS lights) - and only those two would be something else indeed.

Excuse me, I'm going to therapy now.

[96Qowner]

What Andy said ^

Halt and ponder.

[elwesso]

ElWesso....would this "fit" all parameters for my '99Q? It is automatic transmission with no modifications at all. Do I just plug it in and drive? or do I have to go to an Infiniti store and have them program it? Your price is right-I'm just the one lost in the fog here! I heard the NICO ones increase mileage and performance-that so? Do u have a used one of those? Thanks,DOug in Texas

This is a used stock computer. I bought it hoping we could upgrade them, but we cant. I bought it on ebay for $40 3 years ago and its collecting dust in my closet.

All i know is that the ECU was brand new (some guy bought it thinking itd fix something but it didnt, so he unloaded it on ebay really cheap) in a nissan OEM box..... after that, i have no idea. if you want it for $50 (40 + shipping), its yours.

[dodiho]

Andy...I orderd one from Joe just last week..I haven't installed it cause I was asking you guys where it went...there is no where on my ABS pump to put it so I think it goes in the passenger kickpanel area.....and then this tech in Austin said it was a bad ECU....I have had to jump the car when my wife left the lights on-and one of the guys said that could fry my ecu....Elwesso has one that I think I will get if it will work in my car.....sorry I can't give you a positive answer yet....I was thinking of trading it in on a 2005 Acura...I'm so frustrated with these same problems that most of us seem to have with the v-8 motor,etc.

[Q45tech]

Might as well get use to electronic problems as the newer the model the more you will get.

It appears you need to find some better educated, trained, and certified technicans.

[bullittandy]

Andy...I orderd one from Joe just last week..I haven't installed it cause I was asking you guys where it went...there is no where on my ABS pump to put it so I think it goes in the passenger kickpanel area.....and then this tech in Austin said it was a bad ECU....I have had to jump the car when my wife left the lights on-and one of the guys said that could fry my ecu....Elwesso has one that I think I will get if it will work in my car.....sorry I can't give you a positive answer yet....I was thinking of trading it in on a 2005 Acura...I'm so frustrated with these same problems that most of us seem to have with the v-8 motor,etc.

So, you're going to trade your car in-because you can't find the ABS relay?

I repeat, do not try anything else, do not think, do not guess, FIND the ABS relay and replace it.

As to the stumble, you're screwed, its very likely 1 bad coil out of 8. At least everybody else is trying to figure it out too.

Also, remember that Brian (told you your ECM is fried) is very conservative and very old and sees the worst in everything.

[dodiho]

Brian...the tech was Nicholas Lefebvre in Austin....know him?

[dodiho]

Wes. I want to get the new ECU from you...what is your address,etc? Thanks,Doug in Texas

[96Qowner]

Click on his name for his email address.

[elwesso]

send me an email to the address in my profile...

[maxnix]

Brian...the tech was Nicholas Lefebvre in Austin....know him?

No I do not. I understand a technician named Michael is the Infiniti senior technician there. I avoid the dealer as much as possible. They seem to have a "Close is good enough." attitude.

[dodiho]

went to your profile...can't find email address...I'm not computer literate like you you younger guys...lol!

[elwesso]

send email to [email protected]

[bullittandy]

Andy...I orderd one from Joe just last week..I haven't installed it cause I was asking you guys where it went...there is no where on my ABS pump to put it so I think it goes in the passenger kickpanel area.....and then this tech in Austin said it was a bad ECU....I have had to jump the car when my wife left the lights on-and one of the guys said that could fry my ecu....Elwesso has one that I think I will get if it will work in my car.....sorry I can't give you a positive answer yet....I was thinking of trading it in on a 2005 Acura...I'm so frustrated with these same problems that most of us seem to have with the v-8 motor,etc.

Found this post.

BullitAndy...I think my relay is somewhere on the passenger side in the glovebox area....my Q was built later in the year and some changes were made...

The 1999 FSM shows it in the engine compartment, passenger side, near the rear (pretty much where Andy put it). Throttle motor relay. (96Qowner)

zerothread?id=287539

[dodiho]

the part I am referring to is a TCS/SLIP/ABS relay...not throttle type....I just can't find where it plugs in...thanks...