ECU failed, can I replace it myself?

**Wade H** · 03-17-2015 05:04 PM

2010 S5 Automatic

Got a call from the dealer today. I have a bad ECU and they claim it looks like someone had tried to pry it open so my extended warranty is not going to cover it. I'll have a deep discussion with them tomorrow about that. But for now, I'd like to know if this is a DIY job or does a new ECU have to be programmed in any way before use. IOW, can I buy an ECU online and just swap it out myself. They already quoted me a price and I see them online for $700 less.

**mpsmith** · 03-17-2015 05:16 PM

yes

**scmguru** · 03-17-2015 05:21 PM

I believe the Ecu stores the vin and mileage, so there is likely some flashing of parameters involved.

**Wade H** · 03-17-2015 05:23 PM

I am vag-com equipped if that is one of it's capabilities.

**Tommy@Nemesis** · 03-17-2015 06:13 PM

I'm pretty sure you need the dealer VAG 5052 or newer for the programming of the ecu, and it's not as easy as it sounds. The labor shouldn't be the issue anyway, the part is the pricey component.

**Wade H** · 03-17-2015 06:22 PM

Thanks Tommy. I guess that kind of narrows down my options to just one. And that's a tough pill to swallow. Thanks for your input.

**V8Star** · 03-17-2015 10:18 PM

Yes you need the factory scan tool to adapt the ecu to the car. The current tool is the VAS 6160, and is not something the average Joe can just acquire.

You are really stuck with the dealership adapting the ECU, unless you have a high end specialty Audi/VW shop near you that has the scan tool.

**PsYkHoTiK** · 03-17-2015 11:05 PM

Pry marks? Was it flashed with any software prior? Was it running fine before it got to the dealer?

**Wade H** · 03-18-2015 02:52 AM

I bought it two years ago w 22k on it. I have no knowledge of any mods previously performed on it. It has ran ok until a week ago on my drive home when it failed. The dash lit up like Christmas. I troubleshot it to the engine component current supply relay not being pulled in by the ecu. I felt like that was as far as I could take it. Took it to the Audi dealer. I didnt buy it from them but I did buy the extended warranty from them. Told them what I had troubleshot it to. Took them a day of troubleshooting to come to the same conclusion.

**B8 S FOR** · 03-18-2015 07:30 PM

Pry marks.... maybe it was flashed back to stock.... just sayin' ... man that sux! I would be on a witch hunt..............

**Jeff V.** · 03-18-2015 07:36 PM

Do brand new parts have component protection active, or does that only apply to used parts that have already been mated to a car?

I'd potentially be interested in the junked ECU if the dealer doesn't insist on keeping it for a core charge. Let me know if you'd be interested in parting with it once you get everything resolved.

**Wade H** · 03-19-2015 10:08 AM

I don't think a witch hunt would be productive at this point. If I had found this soon after purchase, maybe so.

Yesterday the service manager showed me the

**Wade H** · 03-19-2015 10:14 AM

I don't think a witch hunt would be productive at this point. If I had found this soon after purchase, maybe so.

Yesterday the service manager showed me the ecu and it's obvious its been tampered with. So I'm left holding that bag. I've decided to let them do the repairs so I will have warranty coverage.

One comment the service manager made was if they replaced the ecu he wanted to open the old one to look for faults/damage. I'm very curious myself.

Jeff, What is your interest?

**Jeff V.** · 03-19-2015 10:49 AM

Right now it'd mainly just be curiosity. I've spent the last few years reverse engineering a couple Mitsubishi ECUs, and I'm interested in what makes a Bosch ECU tick. It'd be nice to have an S5 ECU 'corpse' that I could experiment on without fear of damaging an expensive, working part.

**Wade H** · 03-19-2015 12:22 PM

Well let us do our autopsy and then I don't see why you can't have it for your own research. They called today and told me they don't have one in the states and it will be at least a week.

**Jeff V.** · 03-19-2015 12:25 PM

That's cool. Thanks for keeping me in mind. If it doesn't work out, no big deal. The important thing is you get your car fixed. Good luck!

**xuandatou** · 03-19-2015 01:16 PM

Sorry to hear that, it seems like Audi dealer is the only way out...

**scmguru** · 03-19-2015 02:14 PM

If there is internal modification to the Ecu, can they td1 the warranty (if there is one) for the rest of the vehicle drivetrain ? Had something similar happen in another car (300zx tt) back in the days of an Ecu eprom swap. Luckily, I was totally out of warranty. I may be paranoid, but it seems like Audi is doing everything they can to get out of warranty repairs.

**Wade H** · 03-19-2015 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by scmguru

If there is internal modification to the Ecu, can they td1 the warranty (if there is one) for the rest of the vehicle drivetrain ? Had something similar happen in another car (300zx tt) back in the days of an Ecu eprom swap. Luckily, I was totally out of warranty. I may be paranoid, but it seems like Audi is doing everything they can to get out of warranty repairs.

I'm unclear on a couple of things you are saying. If you're implying that my extended warranty is kapoot for the rest of the car because of this "prying" debacle, I don't know. That's a good question I'll have to ask them and is definitely a concern now that you've brought it up, if that's what you meant.

As for Audi getting out of warranty repairs I can only speak of my experience here and say that this is not on them. They didn't pry on the ecu and neither did I. However, I apparently bought the car in that condition and now own it as it is. So hopefully it doesn't effect the remaining extended warranty.

Something that may be of general interest here... If I understood him correctly, the service manager told me that if the ecu hadn't been tampered with, this would have been covered by Audi's original 8 year warranty on the emissions system and not under my extended warranty. He said this 8 year emissions warranty is a government mandated warranty.

**KissMySSSSS** · 10-12-2019 05:12 AM

Not sure this will help anyone in the future but maybe it will? :) I am having issues with my car that are unknown right now. Could not have come at a worse time but thats my life...

I see folks that have ECU issues on here and worst case scenario I hope that is all it is with my car but unknown. There is a scanner on Amazon that claims it can record your ECU data off your current ECU and when you put the new one in it will reflash it. I have not tested it but wanted to put it out there for you.

https://www.amazon.com/vdp/bdefaa4e6..._Z7RgMQeCRgI3C

**midam96** · 10-12-2019 10:08 PM

What were the symptoms that lead them to diagnostic failed ECU? Were you stranded ?

**KissMySSSSS** · 10-13-2019 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by midam96

What were the symptoms that lead them to diagnostic failed ECU? Were you stranded ?

Me? I am stranded in Atlanta right now. Trying to find someone with a VAG or someone that can maybe assist. My dash is 100% dead, no lights, no needle movement, nothing when I start the car. =/

**midam96** · 10-13-2019 10:00 AM

Module Experts in Jacksonville,Fl. is possibly worth a call. They did an ECU from my RS5.

**KissMySSSSS** · 10-14-2019 07:23 AM

Thanks. Although not sure it' an eCU.

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