I've just had a thought about ECU

[Hanz]

Right, those who've been following my garage disaster might remember that my ECU is playing up...

Now this might be a shot in the dark, but surely at the garage when you link up the machine to the computer surely it would tell you a fault with ECU?

Garage only found coil problem after they had linked it up...

Then once the loom was repaired, after then they told me about the ECU..

Am I onto something here! ?

 

[124coupe]

Didn't see your original thread so this may be irrelevant but there is a common way that some "experts" can blow the ECU output stage:

starts with trying to diagnose a misfire - often caused by the plug "boot" under the coil if just one cylinder or the coil itself if on 2 cyls.

tech tries the "do I get a spark holding the lead near the block" test and fries the ECU coil driver output stage.

plug and then coil is replaced and problem still there - "must be your ECU mate"......

the output stage can also fail because the glue holding it to the heatsink fails.

(there will be no/low voltage from ECU to affected coil(s) if this has happened)

the output stage can be repaired - about 2 days at a reputable ECU repairer or by exchange-with-deposit to avoid downtime.

 

[turnipsock]

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19083

My guess is that they have started playing with the coils and the insulation has disintegrated. They thought they might get away with it and tried to start the car, it didn't start. They have now blown the ECU.

 

[bibamus]

The ECU seems very vulnerable, is this a design fault? Previous posts have reported the ECU blowing after reconnecting the battery. I charged my battery up the other week, when I reconnected it, there was one hell of a spark from the terminal to the lead, luckily, this didnt fry anything, but next time, it might.
I cant beleive they are that fragile, most other cars dont seem to have any issues with electronic components being damaged by everyday tinkering about.
Allan

 

[124coupe]

There are handling recommendations on the CDs that cover dos and don'ts - straightforward IF the tech has read them.

The wiring loom (i.e. short circuits) and the glue/heat sink issues are on 10 year old cars so we can't be too hard on Merc.

Re the loom, if the insulation is crumbling inside the outer skin (carefully slice into it and see) by the head then its best to replace it straightaway before sensors etc are killed - fairly straightforward DIY if you use the old loom as a guide and go step by step. Some connectors need access from underneath.

Its easy to get emotive over the ECU but its just another part - they can usually be repaired for not too big bucks or go to a breaker and get a used one and pay on the basis of try it and see (make sure its the same part no !!).

While looking for a piece of wood trim for my 95 E320, I visited the local breaker and he had 3 W124 ECUs - £30-£50 each for cash. Takes 10 mins to swap and test (important to get it hot re the heat sink issues).

 

[Hanz]

Right,

Thanks for your replies. Again the ECU was sent off, they can't fix it. I need a new one. How would I find a local breakers that wouldn't charge the earth because I'm a woman....?

I need a working ECU for the car, so if anyone knows of any spare / parts please get in touch. It's a W124 and the part no is: VD00135451132

Thanks everyone for your replies, I will get this car on the road,

I don't honestly want to give up on it yet either

 

[Hanz]

Sorry helps if I put in the other details

It's a Engine manager ECU? 1993 E280 W124 estate 190,000

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Dronsfields are a good breaker:

http://www.dronsfields.com/

 

[Hanz]

Thanks, I've just sent them an email to check what price they look for.

 

[Hanz]

I've just had a look on ebay, and someone is quoting that you can't use 2nd had ECUs as they are coded for each vehicle? Is this correct??

 

[124coupe]

Hannah, you must establish if the loom is bad or not otherwise a new ECU will fail again.

The tech should carefully cut into the outer insulation of the loom where it passes over the hot engine on its way to the coils - if the inner coloured insulation has cracks or is falling to dust then you will not be able to make the car reliable until you change the harness. It will cause random circuit faults that will drive you mad and break expensive parts.

The Dronsfield suggestion is a good one for you re the ECU - you could also try partsgateway.co.uk

Whatever you do make sure the loom is checked and/or replaced before putting in a new ECU or it will be probably shorted out the same as the old one.

Re calling breakers - the fact that you know its an ECU and the part number probably makes you a better customer than 70% of their callers and will get you treated properly.

Having said all this, unless the car has a rust free body and great interior I would probably cut my losses if it needs loom and ECU.

Give it an objective once over and make the decision!

(the ECUs on this age car were not coded to the vehicle)

 

[124coupe]

BTW, the part number starts VDO not VD0 and there will also be a Merc part number, probably starting A.... (preceded by a little star symbol).

The breakers might list it by either.

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for correcting me! lol. Thanks a lot for your advice, it's really helped me

The bodywork is good on the car, it's beautiful, and the interior is really clean. It's just the engine that's the problem lol.

 

[124coupe]

If you need the harness, you will need to get it from a dealer (unless someone else has a cheaper source??).

Once you have the part number and a quote, try Ralph at Mercedes in Leipzig -
onlineshop.le@mercedes-benz.de - prices are usually 20odd% below UK but then have about 25euro insured postage so not always worth it but will be for a harness.

He speaks better English than I do!

 

[Hanz]

Thanks,

I just recieved a quote from Dronsfield for £302 including delivery. I thought that was pretty good, awaiting quotes from others at the moment on Partsgateway.

Thanks so much!

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

sorry ,not read all of this post so if i repeat ,sorry again
some and i mean some of the pms (bosch) ecus are coded to the car (they will have the same part number) a recon one from me (own unit rebuild) will cost £380 no vat inc delivery
the hfm (vdo or silver box) although just as bad also suffer with loom problems
i have done a few for people on here
the vdo unit will cost £280

remember VDO ecus are £280 to overhaul your unit 12 months warranty

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for your posts. I will bear them all in mind.

The ECU had been sent off by garage to be checked. I needed new one, so ordered 2nd hand one from Dromsfield, although their service was excellent. The delivery wasn't.... TNT. They rang up because they couldn't find the house, so gave them directions, and ask them to call if they had any more problems. They NEVER turned up, and when I chased them up, the parcel was back at depot in Bristol. My car has been in the garage for a month, and I ordered that part Monday. I need the car for the weekend. The garage said they could install ECU same day part arrives, so no problems at their end now. Just waiting on TNT....

A very unhappy ****ed off Hannah at the moment.....

 

[merc300e]

If you need ECU repairs don't go here

Check this link before choosing an ECU repairers.
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19015

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

some of them are and some not...and they would have the same number on them
but i am quite sure that yours, a VDO i beleive is not coded
good old autotec.........NOT!
COULDVE REPAIRED THAT ONE BY NOW!

 

[Hanz]

Well, after 3 weeks and £600 later, she is running perfect! Am very happy now, the second hand ECU was fitted and car is running smooth.

Thanks again for your replies!