Apparently I need a new ECU

[DanFreemanPhoto]

To cut a long story short, my car is currently at the garage after it wouldn't start when I got back to Heathrow car park.

I initially thought it was a flat battery, but it infact the immobiliser. After trying all sorts to reset it, it's still knackered.

The garage has just told me it's the ECU, and I need a new one.

So...he is going to get costs from Renault, but I can't see that being cheap! So what's my alternatives? Is anyone selling one? Can I get one from the spares retailers on here?

...and then I have to sort out getting it remapped again!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Also...from reading quite a few threads on ECU problems, most weren't actually the ECU!

Is it common or even heard of that an ECU would be the issue? Or is my garage trying to do me over?!

 

[brownyboy]

had this happen on my 172FF (see previous threads) £400 later for new fuseboard for ECU etc and service light is perm flashing! It was done by a renault specialist near to where i live.

 

[Gally]

Hmm i'm sceptical mate considering ecu can be reset up to 5 times in some cases. But if it's actually faulty then you never know.

Maybe get a few different reports. Are you near Birmingham mate?

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Nah, about an hour from Brum. And I would have to get the car there too somehow.

How would you know for sure its the ECU? Jay had his RAC diagnostics thing plugged into the ECU last week and it seemed fine, but I don't know how detailed that goes.

 

[Gally]

Yeah Renault obviously have the best dignostics for the car but most code readers will tell of issues.

I think an ecu reset maybe £80 would help the immobiliser issue. You really need a second opinion. I'd call Fred and see what he says. To be honest i'd struggle to believe anyone but him these days!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Would Renault be the only ones you could do a rest? or could an independent garage do this too?

 

[daddycool]

you can pick up an ecu, uch, transponder, keys for £100-£150

 

[Jonny1*2]

Blame Dave mate for messing with your wiring JK. it won't be your ECU. Can pretty much garantee that. It will be wiring related. what's the immobiliser light doing? will the car lock/unlock ok. what does it do when you put the key in and try to start it? and pump priming noise etc.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

When you turn the ignition to the first click, the immobiliser light stays lit, then when you try to turn the engine on you get nothing.

If you try to turn the engine on straight away, it cranks for about 3 seconds then stops.

Car locks/unlocks fine.

Jay had a quick look last week, and everything he checked seemed fine. So I've got no idea what it is. Just getting pissed off with it now!!

 

[brownyboy]

exact same symptoms as mine mate

 

[Jonny1*2]

sounds identical to mine. Presumably the pump is priming? It will probably be getting power to the ECU also, but the problem is, even if you take it to renault, on CLIP, due to the immobiliser light being on, it won't read it all the time (if at all). My issue was engine loom related. if you're been doing a lot of manipulations under the bonnet, the wires can break mid length . But internally so you can't see it. It could also be starter related. Did Jay try bumping it? (starter motor has a back feed to the immobiliser). Other option is the relays, but i'd honestly say loom related as i've seen two with similar issues now. Fresh loom and it was good to go. Maybe a trip to matts for EC1 and TDF loom is needed

 

[Gally]

I think it's a locking/unlocking issue with the Renaults. We had multiple issues with cars at work not starting because of the lock unlock procedure.

I'm putting my finger on a wiring/fuse problem not the ecu!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Maybe a trip to matts for EC1 and TDF loom is needed

I am actually contemplating that already!!

Maybe bodies too!!

 

[Jonny1*2]

I am actually contemplating that already!!

Maybe bodies too!!

Be rude not to mate Considering yours is going more and more track focused now, it would make sense to remove all wiring etc and start a fresh. Unfortunately that's not the cheapest, but it will be a damn sight better made.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Yeh, I take taxis to Heathrow now, so I only use the car for going to the gym, and heading out to take photos.

This year was meant to be house deposit saving year! I think this will put a dent in that now

If I took the car to Matts for bodies, would he just put the EC1 on inline with my loom, or take everything out and start again?

I would also take the aircon off too, so could he do this if I gave him the kit too?

 

[Jonny1*2]

he splices into the current loom mate. although if you can find a replacement 182 engine loom, it would only be a couple of hours labour to swap them over. if you wanted to go for full TDF engine loom it's over £500+VAT iirc. That's just the spark/sensor section too.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Well I'm of the attitude....if you're going to do it...do it properly.

Just put a thread in TDF section asking for contact details.

 

[Jonny1*2]

you want me to PM you Matts mobile dan?

 

[Will.]

Just skim read but have you tried your spare key? My key went wrong and it wouldn't start just as you have described, tried my spare and it's all good.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Yes please Jonny.

Will - Tried spare key already

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Already sorting out taking it to TDF

He'll have a look at it first to see if it's a cheap fix, if not then bodies it is!!

 

[daddycool]

lol you can put a positive spin on anything! i find that no matter what i spend my money on, i can always put a positive spin on any deliveries that the missus asks about

 

[-KarL-]

Could be the decoder ring?

i have a spare one, or if anyone is local you could try theirs. only takes 5 mins to take off.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

haha yeh. Well getting a standalone ECU makes sense for me at the moment, and if I got an EC1 I would almost certainly get ITBs at some point in the future!

My bonus comes in this month too, so what the hell lol!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Could be the decoder ring?

i have a spare one, or if anyone is local you could try theirs. only takes 5 mins to take off.

It could be yeh, not sure if the garage tried that.

 

[daddycool]

would the ring not have to be linked to the other gubbins, or would you just need the ring and and the transponder that matched the ring?

 

[-KarL-]

any decoder ring will fit, it might be broke and not sending the code to unlock the imob.

i had the problem with mine but my imob light was flashing and it was the key that was at fault.

i could send you my spare one if you want?

 

[Jonny1*2]

any decoder ring will fit, it might be broke and not sending the code to unlock the imob.

i had the problem with mine but my imob light was flashing and it was the key that was at fault.

i could send you my spare one if you want?

They will physically fit yes, but they emit different codes, so you need to have the correct one.

 

[The Boosh!]

Dan it's worth paying the initial diagnostic fee to get it plugged into clip for a proper diagnostic

 

[drhowser]

Dan, I've got a renault ecu sat at Freds if it's any use to you?

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

From speaking to a few people, it's unlikely to be the ECU.

But I think I'm still taking it to TDF. It was inevitable that I was going to to that at some point in the future, this issue now has just given me the opportunity to do it now tbh.

 

[.Stevo.C.]

I think it's a locking/unlocking issue with the Renaults. We had multiple issues with cars at work not starting because of the lock unlock procedure.

I'm putting my finger on a wiring/fuse problem not the ecu!

I had that problem with mine f*****g pain in the hole.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Thanks for the help chaps.
I've managed to sort out getting the car to TDF (Burpspeed to the rescue!)

Hopefully it will be sorted by 22nd July for the RS Bedford trackday

 

[Jonny1*2]

When are you dropping it off Dan?

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

15th
Can't get it there before then

 

[Tony Hunter]

He's not I am,Burpspeed recovery.
I can't do it next week as its GP week and very busy.Taking it to Matts on Friday 15th.

 

[drhowser]

From speaking to a few people, it's unlikely to be the ECU.

But I think I'm still taking it to TDF. It was inevitable that I was going to to that at some point in the future, this issue now has just given me the opportunity to do it now tbh.

No worries, if you do end up needing one you can have it. I'm sure if you sort Fred out with beer he'll post it.

 

[Jonny1*2]

He's not I am,Burpspeed recovery.
I can't do it next week as its GP week and very busy.Taking it to Matts on Friday 15th.

Never mind. Thought I might see it when I pop to get mine. Wanted to see the cage. Oh well. Next track day maybe.

Damn right it is well looking forward to it now so long as red bull start to lose advantage!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Are you doing the Bedford day on 22nd?

I'll be there either way, possibly in my newly finished car or as a spectator taking snaps.