Can you swap ECU's over?

[B1 RMA]

A friend of mine with a V8 is having problems with the car running, its been on a rolling road to try to get to the problem but it still persists. As he has had the injectors cleaned and tested then changed one of the O2 sensors which was originally highlighted as a problem the car still hesitates up in the rev range. So we thought it may be the ECU so I thought we could remove mine try it in his to see if thats the problem. So I have two questions will the ECU from my late 2001 year car work in his 1996 V8? If there is something wrong with his car could it fry my ECU? that would really hack me off if that could happen.

[mike_sekinger]

Hi David,

You should be fine to try your later ECU on his car - just be careful to remove the ECU fuse (B5) when physically disconnecting/reconnecting the units from the main connector.

I´m assuming that the guys were logging from the OBDII when on the rolling road and that there are no current P-codes or CEL?

Cheers,

Mike S

[B1 RMA]

Thanks Mike,

I'll ask the question you have kindly raised.

[97-v8]

Hi David,

Some extracts from some historical posts that may be relevant if you come up against the missing sensor fault code re feul level.

Peter

The V8s (ALL V8s) have the very same ECU-box (=hardware !). The only hardware difference between the MY96/97 cars and the later MY98+ cars is the fact that there is one sensor (=fuel-level) missing on the earlier cars.

This means, when you put an ECU-box with a MY98+ software in a MY96/97 Esprit, you will get a pemanent Error-Code + Check Engine Light + severely reduced performance ...

But, donot worry this sensor problem is very easy to solve inside the ECU

Cheers

Marcus

www.PUKesprit.de

All V8 Esprits can have an upgraded ECU chip. I run a 97 V8 with Markus' Red Race ECU chip (see http://freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/product...ps/rev_v8_3.htm for more details). Where the comment about only working on 98 cars or later may come from is that cars before 98 need a resistor to be soldered into the ECU to simulate a sensor that isn't present on them, but is present on the 98 onwards cars.

[Günter]

additional note: it should be more than one sensor ..as it's not only the 'evaporative/fueltank pressure' information that is not present on all markets/model years (mounted normally into the top of the RH fuel tank) ..its also the so called *rough road*-sensor for the knock impulse verification too ..this position on the rear RH section in the engine bay (mounted on the frame) is also not fitted on some cars.

[B1 RMA]

Thank you all for your help, today we swopped over ECU's and the car was taken for an extended drive and no problem occured. So we have concluded that its his original ECU that was at fault. Now when we changed ECU's the engine check light came up on Simon's car which I think was expected when we put the ECU back in my car my engine check light also came on. I've started and stopped it about six times now and the light remains on, is this what should be expected if so how many times stopping and starting will it take to get the light out.

Just re-started it and its gone out (thank you God)

Can anyone recommend a good ECU repair company?

For Simon not me I hasten to add!

[Bibs]

I think Dave Walters (superdavelotus on here) knows someone who can fix V8 ECU's. I'm sure the factory recommend a company called Blue Streak or similar but again I believe they have a reputation. Send Dave a PM

[B1 RMA]

Thanks Bibs

[superdavelotus]

Hi Bibs and Dave, Happy New Year! I've just given Dave a reply and hopefully we'll get his ECU fixed. Like you said Bibs, Bluestreak are option 2 but they have mixed reviews and feedback. Sometimes they can fix your ECU and have it back within a few days, other times they say they've fixed it but the problem is still there. I supposed with such delicate electronics and the abuse they endure then these types of problems will happen with diagnostic companies. I am not knocking this company BTW, I am sure they know their stuff. I think they charge about £500 though but if they can't fix it then they don't charge you (less the postage costs of course).

[97-v8]

Hi Dave,

Good to hear that the problem was finally tracked down, shame it wasnt a cheaper fix though.

Did you or simon happen to take note of the fault code that came up.

Just curious

thank

Peter

[97-v8]

Hi Dave,

In answer to your question on the duration of the MIl check light,

The MIL check light will go out after 3 start ups if no fault is detected.

The fault code is still resident in the memory of the ECU for a further 37 start ups after the light goes out (total of 40 after fault is removed) so if you do have a scanner you can still check it even though no MIL light is present.

Peter

[B1 RMA]

Hi Peter, it did not record any fault codes according to Simon.

[Rob C]

^{_{HAVE THE TWO WASTE GATES BEEN CHECKED....}}

^{_{THEY CAN JAM PARTLY OPEN.}}

^{_{THE SMALL RETAINING CLIP ON THE TURBO ARM CAN FALL OFF..AND JAM THE WASTE GATE.}}

^{_{THEY MUST BE ABLE TO MOVE ..AGAINST THE SPRING PRESSURE, THEN RETURN ON THE OWN.}}

^{_{HAS THE PLEMUM CHAMBER BEEN TAKED OFF AT SOME TIME......THERE COULD BE ONE OF THE TWO GASKET 'S NOT SEALING PROPERLY.}}

^_ROB

[Trevsked]

Dave,

I have just seen this thread, did you get the ecu fixed? If not ten I may be able to help as I have ecu's you could try.

Trevor.

[B1 RMA]

I should get an update from Simon this week-end as he may be at the pistonheads meet this Sunday. I did give him all the details of the various contacts everyone kindly provided and the last I heard he had sent it to a company in Poole as he was told they were good.

When we swopped ECU's my unit performed perfectly in his car so I think its fair to say it is without doubt a problem with the ECU in his car

[Markjayw]

Can't he send his ecu to Lotus to upgrade the software, and or check it?