LCR - replacing ECU Options??

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Hi all,

My 2002 LCR is experiencing a few niggles and my local Indi VAG specialist thinks I need a new ECU but can't be sure..

It drives perfectly fine and pulls like a train, the main probs are as follows:
Engine sometimes idles at 1200 revs for 30 secs after start
Temperature gauge only works occasionally
OBD2 doesn't connect to the ECU every time it's plugged in
Possibly running a little rich.

When scanned it throws up 2 codes for O2 sensor and cooling system.
I have had the O2 sensor, CTS and Thermostat all replaced but none have solved the niggles so the local garage have suggested it may need a new ECU.

They quoted about £1k for a new ECU but have suggested they could clone my current AMK onto a used version (but they can't get hold of the suitable part number/model)

I know another option is to buy an off the shelf modified ECU with the immobiliser disabled but obviously don't want to due to insurance.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do to avoid a £1k bill?
(I am not able to send the ecu off to be looked at as it's my daily driver)

Thanks in advance for any help/advice
Ben
 

Gaz20VT

Active Member
Aug 5, 2011
122
15
The engine idling fast with the engine cold is normal.

Before splashing out on a new ECU, it would be a good idea to check the wiring loom is OK and has no breaks in it - especially between the CTS and ECU, and the Lambda sensor and the ECU. Those sensors and the OBD2 socket could all be powered or earthed from the same pins on the ECU so if the engine wiring loom has a break in it the intermittent fault you have could be caused, as the wire break can connect/disconnect with stressing of the harness.

Also, if there's a bad earth somewhere (main one runs from gearbox to a stud under the battery) this could cause strange faults.

Could be worth disconnecting the ECU plug and looking to see if there's any signs of water ingress or corrosion on the pins and terminals.

Does the ECU show signs of water damage?
 
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BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Wild Willy, thanks for your suggestion.
Is your ECU an AMK version as i am led to believe they are different to the BAM ECU? (I may be wrong)
How much are you asking for it?
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Hi Gaz,

Thanks for your suggestions.

The engine idle is defo not to do with cold. I can start up in the morning perfectly fine, drive for 10 mins (nursery run) and there will be no issues. Then when i get back in the car 5-10 mins later it will rev to 12-1300 at idle from start, it then drops back too normal within a min or 2.

The wiring appears fine, my local indi VAG specialist said they checked it. The issues appear to be both sides of the ECU with sensor/signal issues and also output issues (temp gauge not working properly)

I havent had the ECU out but think the garage looked at it, they didnt mention any obvious signs of water ingress. i do think that this is most likely the problem...

Thanks
Ben
 

Alexis27

Active Member
Dec 20, 2009
2,088
444
Manchester
Check your 109 voltage relay under the dash. Water can sometimes get under there and rust the pins.

“This relay switch (whatever name you want to call it) basically sends power to every sensor in the car as well as through the ECU. Failing ECM Load Reduction Power Relays have been known to damage ECU's when they go bad.”
 
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Cupra Ross

Breaks things............
May 15, 2005
1,380
1
Edinburgh, Scotland
Did you replace your sensors with OEM items? Anything other than a Bosch Lambda sensor is likely to give you problems. What is the live data from the sensor saying?
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Thanks Alexis27, I will check the relays


Check your 109 voltage relay under the dash. Water can sometimes get under there and rust the pins.

“This relay switch (whatever name you want to call it) basically sends power to every sensor in the car as well as through the ECU. Failing ECM Load Reduction Power Relays have been known to damage ECU's when they go bad.”
 

Andrewwright

Turbo lover
Aug 16, 2016
1,568
224
Peterborough
Sounds like you're local garage is over pricing the job to get rid of it. Take it to a garage that knows about vag/someone that knows what there doing and you will have the issue sorted. Don't be put of trade people by these idiots.
Guessing a problem is a joke coming from a garage. Especially when they quoted 1k for an ecu you can buy from eBay for £50/100.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
My local garage are a vw specialist and suggested a new oem ecu is about £1k.

Do you know if the used ebay ecus can be recoded for immobiliser etc?
The garage said I need an exact part number (amk plus year of manufacture I think) so they can clone my ecu across...

Think I will look for another vw specialist...
Anyone know any in Hertfordshire?

Thanks


Sounds like you're local garage is over pricing the job to get rid of it. Take it to a garage that knows about vag/someone that knows what there doing and you will have the issue sorted. Don't be put of trade people by these idiots.
Guessing a problem is a joke coming from a garage. Especially when they quoted 1k for an ecu you can buy from eBay for £50/100.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

Cupra Ross

Breaks things............
May 15, 2005
1,380
1
Edinburgh, Scotland
My local garage are a vw specialist and suggested a new oem ecu is about £1k.

Do you know if the used ebay ecus can be recoded for immobiliser etc?
The garage said I need an exact part number (amk plus year of manufacture I think) so they can clone my ecu across...

Think I will look for another vw specialist...
Anyone know any in Hertfordshire?

Thanks

They're talking nonsense. You can fit any AMK/BAM ECU, there is physically no difference in either the engine or the ECU. You can either have it recoded/immobiliser removed, or you can also fit the clocks and lock barrel from the donor car, then there is no issue with the immobiliser.
 

Andrewwright

Turbo lover
Aug 16, 2016
1,568
224
Peterborough
me7.5 is the ecu. Bam,auq,amk don't matter. Ecu is the same, just the map that's different. Yes the immobilizer can be "transferred" to the new ecu BUT you will need the pin to be able to do this. Come with the car when new...red thin fob with four digit code on it, or google on how to obtain it.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Thanks for your help

I have a very early AMK engine.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe it does not have the EGT sensor that is present on later AMK and all BAM cars.
Does that mean that a BAM ECU will throw up a fault code due to not being able to find the EGT?



They're talking nonsense. You can fit any AMK/BAM ECU, there is physically no difference in either the engine or the ECU. You can either have it recoded/immobiliser removed, or you can also fit the clocks and lock barrel from the donor car, then there is no issue with the immobiliser.
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Thanks for your help, I dont have the Pin so will have to look up how to find it..


me7.5 is the ecu. Bam,auq,amk don't matter. Ecu is the same, just the map that's different. Yes the immobilizer can be "transferred" to the new ecu BUT you will need the pin to be able to do this. Come with the car when new...red thin fob with four digit code on it, or google on how to obtain it.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

Andrewwright

Turbo lover
Aug 16, 2016
1,568
224
Peterborough
Thanks for your help

I have a very early AMK engine.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe it does not have the EGT sensor that is present on later AMK and all BAM cars.
Does that mean that a BAM ECU will throw up a fault code due to not being able to find the EGT?
That can be mapped in/out. Same as if you got a auq ecu, sai will need taking care of, that's sorted by mapping the ecu to you're engine spec.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

BenCupraR

Active Member
Mar 23, 2017
31
0
Great, thanks for the confirmation.
I will try and find a new local VAG specialist to sort out the re-coding


That can be mapped in/out. Same as if you got a auq ecu, sai will need taking care of, that's sorted by mapping the ecu to you're engine spec.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

Cupra Ross

Breaks things............
May 15, 2005
1,380
1
Edinburgh, Scotland
Thanks for your help

I have a very early AMK engine.
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe it does not have the EGT sensor that is present on later AMK and all BAM cars.
Does that mean that a BAM ECU will throw up a fault code due to not being able to find the EGT?

AMK has an EGT sensor. As I said, AMK and BAM are mechanically identical, the only difference is in the mapping. APY didn't have EGT but all the other 210/225 engines do. Ask me how I know, my LC180 had a BAM ECU and mapping when I bought it and ran like a dog because it couldn't find any EGT sensor input, both Lambdas were broken, and the MAF and MAP scaling were miles away. I'm surprised it ran at all.
 
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