Need to buy ECU for Micra - Need Help

sally365 · 02-02-2015 7:24pm #1

Hi,

I was told the ECU on my 2003 Micra needs replacing, I want to source the part myself online to save money. I notice some ECU units come with keys? Why is this the case?

Also do you have any advice when sourcing a ECU for a car?

corktina · 02-02-2015 9:24pm

you should post in the motors forum. Not too many see a Micra as a classic yet (soon maybe :-)

sogood · 02-02-2015 9:29pm

Don't know about the keys, but ECU's are quite "car/model" specific. The best way to ensure that you're getting the right one is to look for the part number on the original. It will be clearly stamped or displayed on a sticker somewhere on it.

Manufacturers very often make subtle changes to a car during it's production, so that from one month to the next, some parts might not be interchangeable.

I don't know if you ECU will be "plug and play" insofar as it will just work, or it might need to be set up by a main dealer, but I doubt it. Most seem to just work from the get go and gradually "learn" from the car itself, if that makes sense. Have you considered getting one from a breakers? They can be rather expensive items.

unkel · 03-02-2015 7:42pm

Moved to Motors

ianobrien · 03-02-2015 7:54pm

As others have said, ECU's can be tricky to buy second hand as they can be specific to model year, engine size and trim. The fun starts when you include immobilisers and security into cars in that the ECU and keys are matched. The car "reads" the key and if it matches the details in the ECU the car will start.

For the Micra, the ECU will vary between European or Jap models, auto or manual, optional equipment (interior light fade can be ECU controlled in some cars). I think the '03 Micra on uses canbus wiring and if so, its probably a main stealer job. If its not a canbus, I'd find a good auto electrician rather than a mechanic.

Need to buy ECU for Micra - Need Help

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