The ECU, or engine control unit, is a major component of your car's onboard computer. It's used to regulate many systems and subsystems in your car's engine, drive train and other major components. There are many symptoms that can be associated with a faulty ECU. Here are some ways to tell if yours is damaged or faulty. If you vehicle's check engine light remains on constantly, and never goes off, there's a good chance that your vehicle has a faulty engine control unit. There are numerous reasons why a car's check engine light will remain on. The most common reason is a problem with the ECU. If you notice that your check engine light is always on, take your in vehicle in for service and request that they check the engine control unit. If your vehicle fails to start for no apparent reason, this is also a good indicator that there may be a problem with the ECU. If you check the car battery, starter and other common electrical components, and the vehicle still does not start, a faulty engine control unit should be the next logical thing to consider.

Many other symptoms can be associated with a faulty ECU. For example, poor performance or unexplained drops in fuel economy or efficiency are often related to onboard car computer problems, or faulty ECU issues.Puppies For Sale Katy Tx A damaged ECU can cause problems when shifting gears in an automatic transmission, or cause sudden jerking or stopping that's similar to transmission problems. Savannah Cat For Sale DallasIf you experience jerking or stopping, you regularly maintain your transmission properly, and the vehicle has adequate levels of transmission fluid, then a faulty ECU should be suspect.Cover Ugly Air Conditioning Unit If you suspect that the electronic control unit in your vehicle is damaged, or is going bad, you should immediately take your vehicle to the nearest dealership, repair shop or service center.

When choosing a service center to check for a faulty ECU, make sure that you visit one that uses the latest computer diagnostic equipment for checking your car's onboard computer. While there are many excellent repair shops and service centers that have the required equipment to diagnose a faulty ECU, if you want to be absolutely certain that your car is correctly diagnosed, consider taking your vehicle to a dealership that sells your particular vehicle. By visiting an authorized dealership, you will always be assured that the equipment used to diagnose it provides the most accurate readings and results. This will help the mechanic or technician best repair your vehicle. ECU repairs can be very expensive. The part alone can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Fortunately, an ECU can be repaired or reprogrammed in many cases—thus preventing the need to actually replace an ECU. You should expect to pay between $150 and $300 at a local repair shop or service center just to have the ECU inspected and tested.

In many cases, the faulty ECU can be repaired or reprogrammed, and this type of repair will usually run between $300 to $750, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. In the unfortunate event that you need to actually replace the ECU, you should add about $500 to $600 to the cost of the part for labor to install and program the new ECU. These days, there are many online companies that provide ECU repair services also. These companies allow you to send your faulty ECU to their location for repair. They do the work and then ship it back to you. For many models of vehicles you can find online repair services for between $300 and $400 for a complete repair or reprogram of the ECU. However, there are service providers that auction their services on sites like eBay that can perform the work for as little as $50. 188 posts, read 698,973 timesI have a 2005 Kia Sportage and the air conditoner is blowing hot air. Took it to the Kia dealer and had an test done on it and they have said I need an new ECM.

They first said it was still under warranty and then a week later they said no, it is not under warranty. (It has 92,00 miles on it)Unfortunnately the ECM is only covered for 8 year, 80,000 miles. The ECM will cost me around $1,300 to get it replaced (at the dealership). Here is my question..there is a garage in a nearby town that says they can rebuild the ECM for around $500. Can this be done? I have had other people tell me that you cannot fix an ECM, that it needs to be replaced. I called Auto Zone to see if I can buy the ECM there instead of at the dealership...but they can't find the price for it. 3,024 posts, read 6,581,523 times Originally Posted by bam531I can't imagine that there is a shop that can rebuild one unless there are a few main components that commonly fail. I would say no, it cannot be rebuilt. 6,364 posts, read 10,547,581 times 9,489 posts, read 31,669,246 times Getting a junkyard ECM and having a dealership reprogram it for the new key still may be your cheapest option.

460 posts, read 2,441,696 times Search google for ecu/ecm rebuilders because some have a large stock on hand ready to be shipped and you receive credit for your core when sent in and they usually include waurentees. I've replaced many ecu's over past 13 yrs owning 3 - 1st gen mitsubishi eclipses/talons ('90-94's) since substandard capacitors from factory often leaked on mitsubishis and several other car companies during those years. I've bought good used ecu's off ebay for $100 but only would buy with a no questions asked refund policy and I've bought several $50-$75 good used ones off forums dedicated to my particular car. I would never pay $1000+ for an ecu ESPECIALLY on an older or cheaper car if good used ones or rebuilt ones are availble for a fraction of the cost. See if there are any forums dedicated to your car or brand and if there's a parts buy/sell section someone with a parts car may have a perfectly good ecu for sale. That or try ebay like mentioned or scrap yards who offer a guarentee.