[vr2turbo]

ECU costly to replace woh! My VR second hand one already RM800 and that was more than 10 years ago.....

[ChasV]

The ECU is very $$$$. If you tell me how they could have bricked it i will confront and accuse them of sabotage.

[vr2turbo]

Only way is they shorted it. Like some say when testing battery should not remove positive terminal when engine already started. It might spike up the current to the ECU as the battery is like voltage stabilizer.....

[ChasV]

Removing the battery cable while the engine is running is not part of any normal repair or diagnostic procedure so if anyone would do that it would have to be deliberate to hurt something....is that what you are saying? And so, should I accuse them of having done that?

[vr2turbo]

No, you don't have proof. Anyway, I just mention it as I read about it, but still see many mechanic do that and so far have not seen any damage done by doing that...

[ChasV]

Ok.

 

Well they called and said they tried a 1.5 Siemens ECU on my 1.3 and it worked fine, AC idle OK, and the car had more power. Proton price for my ECU is RM810, and they suggested that they buy a secondhand 1.5 Siemens with warranty for RM400 and I said OK. I pick it up this afternoon. If I dont like the result I dont have to accept it and they will put the ORI part back on and i will look for other solution. Are there any shops that discount an expensive part like this?

[vr2turbo]

Looks like other options are:

1) check with chop shop

2) Find some one who can repair ECU to have a look at your ECU

ECU sometimes only a or some capacitors leak or burn only. Change that/those and your ECU will be working. However, if board damage then have to get replacement dy....

[ChasV]

Ok, what I did was change the ECU from Part No --0654 (1.3 engine) to --0655 (for 1.5 engine).  It runs great, and no aircon-idle drop. The RPM remains stable, cant feel a drop at all.

 

I'll sell the 0654 is someone wants to buy it CHEAP. How about RM100?  I'll sell cheap because the status is unknown. Proton said it wasnt bricked, in fact it works, but they have no idea how to open and repair it for the aircon problem. I have it in my hands and it seems someone opened it before and possibly attempted repairs because I see scratches at the "bent prongs" on the case.  Proton said it could be a simple problem like a broken solder joint because thats what VDO is famous for on the instruments. But they dont know and I know less than they do. You are right, it can be a capacitor, resistor, bad solder. It just takes someone with experience to fix it.

 

I bought mine secondhand and dont know how long it will last but for now it seems A+ and I have no complaints.

 

Speaking of VDO, not to veer off but are there any shops for fixing instruments? Maybe a PC shop? They have those magnifying machines to examine motherboards...... hmmmm

[vr2turbo]

I know about the ECU thing is because my car also had that problem last time. Capacitor leak but too late it damaged the PCB Board already. If you know any technician friend can ask them have a look. Just have to identify the damaged part, remove buy back same then solder back