NICO Stage II/Stage III ECU Issue

[Haitian_King]

Good afternoon all,

I just ran into a slight issue with my '94 NICO ECU. I plugged it in and started the car today. I was greeted with a rough idle, TCS & SLIP lamps illuminated, and just other general weirdness. I plugged my stock ECU back in and Voila, problems gone. I decided to try the NICO one again, and this time, the idle was silky smooth, but the RPM's were high. Like 1500 RPM's in Park. The CEL also came on.

I took the car around the block and found that the car wouldn't go past 25. Any attempts to accelerate were met with no result. When I parked the car, I noted that the TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION error message was displaying.

I assume that the second time with the NICO ECU, the car was put into the Fail-Safe mode because of the perceived 3rd gear start and restricted speed.

I tried switching programs but there was no change.

I'd really like to get this issue resolved ASAP because a board member is interested in buying this ECU from me for his '94. I need this ECU to work for him, as well as for myself, so I can pull my stock 92 ECU and have that modded. Then, I'll have a 92 NICO ECU, and he can have a 94 NICO ECU, as I understand that they are not in production at the moment.

I'm currently on a limited schedule, at least for today, so if it is at all possible, could I get some quality responses in the next couple of hours? It's currently 4:47 PM EST. I've only got a couple of hours of daylight left.

In the event that I can't get this thing working soon, I'll just plug my old ECU back in so I can go back to PA tonight.

Thanks in advance to everyone!

[Q45tech]

Since ecu reprograms only change WOT [high load] parameters, any crank, idle or under 2500 rpm cruise parameter problems are signs of primary ecu failure not WOT reprogramming.

[Haitian_King]

Since ecu reprograms only change WOT [high load] parameters, any crank, idle or under 2500 rpm cruise parameter problems are signs of primary ecu failure not WOT reprogramming.

So what you're saying is the NICO ECU itself is malfunctioning?

I find it would have been a bit more helpful if you had addressed any of the issues that I stated.

But, you're you, so I guess that's that.

[maxnix]

I don't think he could have been more clear that the ECU only alters functions above 2500 and/or at WOT.
Modified by maxnix at 3:57 PM 4/17/2009

[Haitian_King]

I son't think he could have been more clear that the ECU only alters functions above 2500 and/or at WOT.

And I "son't" think that it was helpful at all.

Let me rephrase the question.

"Why am I getting a CEL and high RPM's at idle with the 1994 ECU in, as opposed to normal readings with the 1992 ECU?"

Let's try answering that question.

[Q45tech]

Because the Nissan PART of the NICO ecu has problems. The NICO part is just a single reprogrammed memory chip whereas the Nissan PART has 30 ICs and 50 transistors.

[Haitian_King]

Because the Nissan PART of the NICO ecu has problems. The NICO part is just a single reprogrammed memory chip whereas the Nissan PART has 30 ICs and 50 transistors.

I should have been more articulate. My apologies. I was using "NICO" simply to differentiate between the two ECU's.

So the unit itself is faulty. Darn.

So what should I do with it now? Can it be saved?

I guess I'll go plug my 92 ECU in and put the glove compartment back to rights.

[qship96]

Unless you are frequently operating at full throttle, just leave the stock one in permanently......not sure how wise it is to be operating at full throttle often enough to need the Nico reprogrammed unit repaired if you want to prolong old transmission and drivetrain life.Maybe a blessing in disguise??????

[Q451990]

My NICO ECU has a valet mode setting that limits the speed... any chance you're in that setting? The modes should be marked on the case in magic marker... at least mine are.

Heath

[Haitian_King]

Unless you are frequently operating at full throttle, just leave the stock one in permanently......not sure how wise it is to be operating at full throttle often enough to need the Nico reprogrammed unit repaired if you want to prolong old transmission and drivetrain life.Maybe a blessing in disguise??????

I was testing this one for another member who was interested in purchasing it. How terrible would it have been if I'd sold it and it was defective. I'd hate to have my name associated with something terrible like that.

My NICO ECU has a valet mode setting that limits the speed... any chance you're in that setting? The modes should be marked on the case in magic marker... at least mine are.

Heath

That's what I thought it was at first. The ECU has Stage II & Stage III written on it in Sharpie. I thought the valet mode limited it to 3k RPM's and 60 MPH? I couldn't get over 25 MPH with this one. I tried switching programs, but there was no change.

[elwesso]

you know another thing you could try is making sure its fully plugged in, ive seen issues like this before when the connector isnt fully seated.

[qsiguy]

It is very likely that one or more of the pins are not making good contact in the harness. I have had this issue with my car having swapped ECU's many times. While it was acting up I went through all the pins and attempted to push them in with an awl. Eventually came across the pin(s) that were not seated properly.

Main issue for mine was the trans malfunction message and improper or non existent shifting of the transmission.

The modded section of the ECU could certainly be a problem. Could be a bad/cold solder joint or a corrupt chip. If you have a bad chip the car will sometimes start but runs in limp mode. A bad solder joint or bad chip should be a simple fix.

You also need to be careful with external switching wires. Wire the wrong one to ground or + voltage can cause problems.

[Haitian_King]

It is very likely that one or more of the pins are not making good contact in the harness. I have had this issue with my car having swapped ECU's many times. While it was acting up I went through all the pins and attempted to push them in with an awl. Eventually came across the pin(s) that were not seated properly.

Main issue for mine was the trans malfunction message and improper or non existent shifting of the transmission.

The modded section of the ECU could certainly be a problem. Could be a bad/cold solder joint or a corrupt chip. If you have a bad chip the car will sometimes start but runs in limp mode. A bad solder joint or bad chip should be a simple fix.

You also need to be careful with external switching wires. Wire the wrong one to ground or + voltage can cause problems.

I'll have to try it again. Third time's the charm maybe? I've had two very different results the two times that I had it in.

I didn't realize that there was an issue with the wiring of the switch. I bought a simple two prong momentary push button switch from Radio Shack. I had just threaded each lead through the hole in the prong, wrapped it around, and taped it in place with electrical tape.

I disconnected the switch to see if it could have been the culprit, but it had no effect.

[qsiguy]

It should not be a momentary switch. You need an ON/OFF switch. When the leads are connected you have one program, when they are open you have the 2nd program. I can't tell you which is which, is it written on the ECU?

[Haitian_King]

It should not be a momentary switch. You need an ON/OFF switch. When the leads are connected you have one program, when they are open you have the 2nd program. I can't tell you which is which, is it written on the ECU?

Ah. Good to know. I'll have to make another trip to Radio Shack and buy one. The ECU has STAGE II/STAGE III written on it, but no other instructions.

[elwesso]

usually disconnected is stage II, connected is stage III