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.
How much does it cost to get an ECU?
On average, you can expect the parts cost to be anywhere from $400 to $1,400 while the labor costs are roughly from $100 to $200 for reprogramming and installation. You may be able to save some money on a refurbished ECU but that usually comes with a bit of risk.
Can you drive a car with a broken ECU?
It isn’t recommended to drive with a faulty ECU, but it is possible to keep driving the vehicle. The longer you run with the deteriorating ECU, the more issues you’re going to run into when it’s time to bring it to the shop.
How much is a ECU for a car UK?
The cost of ECU repairs can vary depending on your car, but an average cost for ECU work when booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £232.40. Below, you can find the average price for a range of popular car makes.
ECU repairs average costs and prices.
| Car Make | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Peugeot | £260.98 |
| Ford | £221.54 |
| Mercedes | £147.22 |
| BMW | £199.66 |
What causes ECU to fail?
1) Dead Battery
Car batteries have electronic cells which need to function in order for the ECU to function. If any of the cells in your car battery are dead, then your ECU is going to fail soon afterward. Once all the cells are dead, the battery is considered dead and your entire vehicle won’t be able to function.
How do I know if my ECU is bad?
Here are the most common symptoms of a bad ECU: Check Engine Light stays on after resetting. Car was jump started on reverse polarity. Engine turning off for no reason.
Many other symptoms may occur that can drastically lead to an ECU failure such as:
- Erratic idle.
- Stalling.
- Poor running condition.
- Excessive fuel usage.
Can you replace an ECU from car to car?
Whilst you can adjust and replace the ECU in a vehicle that is predates 2001, you may have difficulty with newer cars. Many of these have complex computer systems and you will have to take them into an authorised dealer to have reconfiguration work performed under the hood.
How much does a new ECM cost?
The cost for the new ECM will typically be around $800, with labor around $100, bringing the average total expense for an ECM replacement to approximately $900 before taxes and fees. This can increase depending on the shop you go to or the type of car you, running as high as $2,000.
How much does a ECU tune cost?
The ECU tune should cost between $400-$1,500 for a mid-range car or truck and between $600-$3,200 for a luxury or racing vehicle. If your vehicle requires a new ECU chip, these range from $150 to $1,600. Engine tuning can be complicated, with some vehicle shops specializing in it and doing nothing else.
How long does it take to fix an ECU?
You can usually find the exact location of your car’s computer module in the owner’s manual and from there you basically unplug the old and plug in the new. If you take your car into a dealer to replace the ECM, it will usually take about an hour or two.
Can I buy a new ECU?
Replacement ECU
There is, however, a middle ground between buying a brand new ECU and repairing your faulty ECU. You can replace your damaged or broken component with a reprogrammed and re-flashed engine computer. This is what Car Computer Exchange has done for nearly a decade.
Can jumpstarting a car damage the ECU?
A blown ECU can occur if there is a voltage spike when jumpstarting. This impacts the alternator and other electrical components such as the fuel pump, onboard computer and possibly the fuses.
What can fry a car computer?
Dealing with dead batteries
Jump-starting with cables connected to a running vehicle can create a voltage surge large enough to fry expensive computers in either vehicle.
How many ECU does a car have?
The ECU system collects and analyzes the data and decides the actions based on defined parameters. The standard automobiles running on the roads today have more than 80 different ECUs in them and the luxury ones can integrate as many as 150 ECUs.
Where is the ECU located in a car?
On most models the ECU is located beneath the wipers behind the plastic trim.
What happens if the ECU fails?
For example, poor performance or unexplained drops in fuel economy or efficiency are often related to onboard car computer problems, or faulty ECU issues. 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.
How hard is it to replace an ECU?
The ECU Installation is simple & takes about 15 minutes to complete. These instructions are meant to be a generic guide to try fit most cars. Before reconnecting the ECU make sure that: Battery is charged over 12v.
Does a new ECU need to be reprogrammed?
In case it does need to be replaced, know that a new ECM comes with a standard set of programs with pre-determined efficiency. Even if you’re installing a new ECM in your old vehicle, it doesn’t have to be reprogrammed to match its specifications.
How long does a ECM last?
The ECM will usually last the lifetime of the car, though it can go bad. In fact, the computer can fail as early as 75,000 miles, and around 125,000 miles is the most common range for ECM replacement.
How much is a used ECM?
ECMs for the Mustang range from $260 all the way up to $1000 for the 4.6L GT, but most ECMs fall within the $400-$600 price range. ECMs for SUVs like the Ford Escape fall in the $260-$400 price range.
How much HP does a ECU tune add?
15-30 horsepower
‘ A ‘tune’ is a device that will update your car’s ECU or computer and give it different instructions on how to deliver power to the engine. You will unlock your engine’s full capacity with this tune. It can add 15-30 horsepower and 20-30 lb-ft of torque on most basic cars.
