ECU interchangeability

[Tacchino]

Got loads of corrosion on the main ECU connector on a 4.5 plus a couple of missing sensor readings (sensors have been tested OK)

Are the 4.5 ECU's interchangeable or are they coded to a specific car.
ie. can I just remove the one I've got and fit an alternative from another 4.5 that isn't corroded.

I'm assuming that both ECU's are as supplied from the factory.
Also assuming that the 4.2 units are different and hence not interchangeable.

The car still runs fine but I'd rather she be right and not just OK.

[Gazzab]

I'd imagine the ECU boxes might be interchangeable but that the chips will need swapping?

[vroom]

MBE units for the AJP are the same IIRC

You'll need to swap the Eprom for the right fuel map tho.

Then again the 4.2 map might be better than the generic 4.5 map!

[Steve_T]

Been here and done this and yes you can just transfer the eprom and away you go.

[Tacchino]

Thanks for the answers guys.

I'm not looking to replace a 4.5 ECU with a 4.2 ECU or change EPROMs or anything like that.
I'm was hoping to find out if the ECU's from two different 4.5 cars, that have never been remapped or modded, are fully interchangeable.

I'm aware that on some vehicles the ECU's are coded to a particular car and everything has to be fully in synch or the car throws its teddies out and throws up a spurious error of some kind.

[Gazzab]

The ECUs can be swapped BUT the eproms wont always be the same on 4.5's.

For example:-

-> a 4.5 Red Rose will be a different map to a standard 4.5,

-> the eprom might have been remapped on the donor car and may not suit the car you move it to,

-> the 4.5 might have had a 'cooling mod' whereas the replacement chip may not have this mod

-> etc etc

My 2nd Cerb had a Power 'Red Rose' eprom. It wouldnt run properly on a standard eprom.

Generally the eproms have their spec written on them on (afaik).... So it should normally be easy to work out what you have got.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

OOh, Ive just fuond one in my desk that I had kept as a spare for my Tuscan Challenge Racer. ....I wonder what would happen if I whack that in!

probably lots of not good things

[Steve_T]

Tacchino said:

Thanks for the answers guys.

I'm not looking to replace a 4.5 ECU with a 4.2 ECU or change EPROMs or anything like that.
I'm was hoping to find out if the ECU's from two different 4.5 cars, that have never been remapped or modded, are fully interchangeable.

Yes that should work.

[Steve_T]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

OOh, Ive just fuond one in my desk that I had kept as a spare for my Tuscan Challenge Racer. ....I wonder what would happen if I whack that in!

probably lots of not good things

I guess the racer doesn't run cats so the ECU logic will be different and not use some the inputs that the road car does. I'd do some research before I'd try this.

[Tacchino]

Steve_T said:

Tacchino said:

Thanks for the answers guys.

I'm not looking to replace a 4.5 ECU with a 4.2 ECU or change EPROMs or anything like that.
I'm was hoping to find out if the ECU's from two different 4.5 cars, that have never been remapped or modded, are fully interchangeable.

Yes that should work.

Thanks Steve.

I guess I'll be giving it a go as long as all the chips are identified the same.
In fact, even if they're different it should allow me to check if the sensor signals are now getting through.

By the way, what the blummin' eck does at "cat herder" do?
I can make a few guesses but I wouldn't put them on PH

[teamHOLDENracing]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

OOh, Ive just fuond one in my desk that I had kept as a spare for my Tuscan Challenge Racer. ....I wonder what would happen if I whack that in!

probably lots of not good things

Nothing. The connectors are a different shape....!