Mechanic says ECU bad b5 a4 2.8 quattro

[Ryan1]

So my check engine light went on (2000 a4 2.8 quattro) and I took it to my mechanic to read the codes (below). I don't know much about the ECU but he thinks the ECU needs to be replaced. He tested the wiring harness and the MAF and both work fine. He wants $1900 to replace the ECU with a new one... That is a ton of money and I just need to know that is actually what's wrong and the only fix.

I bought the car at the start of the summer for cheap and it runs great minus this issue... Can you guys help?

16497 intake air temp sensor p0113
18011 internal control module p01603
16487 mass air flow sensor p0103
18010 power supply terminal p1602
17977 cruise control switch p1569
16825 EVAP emission control sys p0441

and a bunch of alarms

01367
01371
01372
01374
01370
01369
01368
01373
01366

[Turbo_B5]

holy fuck 1900 to replace an ecu?! its a diy job should take 10mins. i have a bunch of ecus forsale.

[Turbo_B5]

1x 4d0907551AH From I don't remember.
1x 3b0907551BA From 2000 2.8 5-speed. This can be recoded to auto by vag com.

[Avant Nate]

$1900 is criminal fraud. Used ecus can be had sub $100, don't know how much for new. 1hr max billable to change, but really only takes 10 minutes.
But there's probably nothing wrong with yours.

[aysix]

$30 for that ecu man.

[A4ski]

First thing to replace is that mechanic.

[Turbo_B5]

^x2 he must be funding his crack habbit or somthing. iirc 70 for an ecu from me.

[Ryan1]

I don't understand why he is asking for so much but he said because he has to turn off immobilizers and... I read if I replace the ECU with a used one some light will always be on in the dash and you need special programming? Are there other options to fix my problem? Is it possible to rebuild/fix the ECU?

[Turbo_B5]

Cause he is a scamming ****. North american b5s do NOT have immobilizers. You will NOT have a dash light come on from a used ecu. A good 85% of people on this fourm use a used ecu. buy a used ecu (from me) and swap it in. so easy.

[Turbo_B5]

Sent from my Jailbroken iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[Nollywood]

$1900 for a used ECU?? Shît. This guy needs To have his head examined. What sort of drugs is he on?

The ECU is probably the most robust part of the engine electrics. They rarely go bad. Unless it's fried by rubbish wiring, by someone poking around with a screwdriver, or it's immersed in water, they don't just die.

I would wager there's nothing wrong with your ECU. The issue is elsewhere, but you're unlikely to find out what's really wrong IF you retain this guy as your mechanic. First thing to do is swap him out, and for free too.

[kf3506]

I'm on my fourth ecu and they are all used. No issue whatsoever. But first, make sure it's the ecu that is the problem. A dishonest mechanic like that i won't trust his diagnostic skill either.

[Turbo_B5]

try and find a vw/audi shop or atleast a euro shop.

[Ryan1]

So next question. My ECU code is 3B0 907 551 G. Do I have to match the "G" also when looking at used ECUs? then when I find one can I just plug the new one in and go? or is there programming?

[Turbo_B5]

if its anything like the 1.8T, any 2.8 ecu will work.

[Bordom]

Make sure it's for the 30v.

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

[seanf86]

did anyone actually look at his codes? p1603 is engine control module defective. Usually you clear the code and if that comes back you replace the ecm, I'm thinking he does need an ecm but 1900 is outrageous, I'm sure the dealer could install a new one for less than 1900

[redline380]

Damn good thing you came here first, or you would have been taken.

Audi lists that ECU as a $947 part. That leaves over $900 for installation, which is robbery. It is at the very most a 30 minute procedure.

Go to car-part.com, find a used ECU, and we will walk you through the procedure.

Then, go to the police, BBB, attorney general, governor, whatever. This is absolute robbery.

[noob5]

You can buy 3B0 907 551 G used between $30 - $150 and new as low as $708.

Also for the record, I agree with others on this thread, that your mechanic is either a dishonest prick, or he is at the very least incompetent.
Find a new shop!!!

[Avant Nate]

Here's how easy it is https://youtu.be/GCh4bAT7wjE

[A1 A2 German]

I was typing up a heated comment last night on this thread, yet earsed it for the better and left.

I feel good for going the better good.

But this is a new day......phuck him that's bullshit! #%=_£÷!

This is what is disspointing about our culture, our people and these type of actions and shops. This is so absurd and low move, even $500 is too far uncalled for. There simply needs to be clauses, restrictions, or city codes that restrict these kind of actions. I feel so bad for the general public.

Dude at work, mech said he needed new coil packs on his E46 M3 and he pulled the trigger.

$750

For 6 mofo coil packs, wow. And the kicker? As we all know it would of only been 1 dud coil pack (maybe a chance of two going out at the exact time but doubt it).

Poor people and shady shops.

As others have stated, as low as $50 for an ecu plus ~$10 to ship. No need to pay over $100 but that's the norm and generally the max price.

[Ryan1]

Hey guys so I just bought a used ecu off ebay for 70 free shipping with same codes on it. Can i just unplug the old one and plug in the new one? Also Seanf86 says ECM is bad...? is that different from the ECU and is that a cheap/easy fix?

[A1 A2 German]

Awesome.

Just plug it in.


EDIT: Worse case senero, contact the seller to find out it was the same transmission as yours (auto vs manual). Ecus are both, but simply need to be changed over via Vagcom if this is coming outta a 5 speed and you have an auto.

Secondly, there's a very slim chance you may need to do a TBA (Throttle body adaptation). Only worry about this and report back if idle flutters and dies over and over.

[vrmm]

Did you try clearing the codes on your old ecu and seeing what came back?
Did it actually have issues or did it just have codes?

I've always thought ecu and ecm were the same thing.

[A1 A2 German]

Fixed my post, kept reading it as icm, carry on.

[seanf86]

Hey guys so I just bought a used ecu off ebay for 70 free shipping with same codes on it. Can i just unplug the old one and plug in the new one? Also Seanf86 says ECM is bad...? is that different from the ECU and is that a cheap/easy fix?

ECM/ECU same thing, the code p1603 if it comes back after clearing it and your battery is good then it says replace ecu, if you have a good fully charged battery and still get the code everything I've found says to replace ecu

[walky_talky20]

if its anything like the 1.8T, any 2.8 ecu will work.

Just wanted to comment here for anyone coming across this thread. The 2.8 30v in the B5 comes in both cable-throttle (AHA) and drive-by-wire (ATQ) variants. The engine management between the two is not compatible. ECU part numbers may interchange ok within the same engine code. However, with vast availability of cheap ECU's, it is highly recommended to just match the part number.

I have seen one outright ECU failure in an ATQ (DBW) 2.8 30v. It manifested as a few throttle body codes that would not clear and the car would barely run and could not idle at all. TBA was unsuccessful. Seemed simple enough, but after replacing the throttle body, no difference. Junkyard ecu fixed it right up.

[Ryan1]

To finish things off. I bought a used ECU for $70 it arrived yesterday and I just plugged it in and the car started and everything works now. No check engine lights for anything :) No $1900 for my old piece of work mechanic! Thanks

[seanf86]

To finish things off. I bought a used ECU for $70 it arrived yesterday and I just plugged it in and the car started and everything works now. No check engine lights for anything :) No $1900 for my old piece of work mechanic! Thanks

Perfect! Glad to hear it worked out.