A4 fried ECM replacement

[QuartzQuattro]

Hey all, recently I purchased a 2008 A4 for a good deal. Unfortunately the catch to the car was that the ECU is fried as per diagnosed by the previous owners mechanic. IÂ’ve been doing a fair bit of research as to what my options are. From what IÂ’ve been reading I need to buy a replacement ECU and get it programmed to the car through the dealer.

But I wanted to ask, if I where to purchase a ECU, gauge cluster, ignition switch and a matching key all pulled from one car would everything sync up and work in my car thus saving the headache of having to get anything programmed at the dealer? The kit IÂ’m looking at has matching part numbers and all

Thanks yÂ’all!

[SilverStargazin]

Better option would be a plug and play ecu that has the immobilizer removed. I have a stage 1 ecu for sale that would work as long as your car is a manual and quattro. I loved it but decided to go big turbo. $200. I also have a stock ecu for a manual quattro but it has the immobilizer so you would need to get it reprogrammed.

[EvolutionArmory]

Actually, the best option is to just buy an ECU with the exact same part number and have it coded to the car at the dealer.

Don’t dick around with immobilizer defeats or make more work for yourself. Do it right the first time and be done with it.

[james12lucy]

Actually, the best option is to just buy an ECU with the exact same part number and have it coded to the car at the dealer.

Don’t dick around with immobilizer defeats or make more work for yourself. Do it right the first time and be done with it.

This is the truth. Different ECUs control important functions differently. Take the runner flaps, for instance. The 2006 runner flap controls are different than 2007+ and the older ECU won’t control newer flaps. I know because my tuned APR ECU with IMMO defeat hasn’t worked in a few later model cars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[QuartzQuattro]

Better option would be a plug and play ecu that has the immobilizer removed. I have a stage 1 ecu for sale that would work as long as your car is a manual and quattro. I loved it but decided to go big turbo. $200. I also have a stock ecu for a manual quattro but it has the immobilizer so you would need to get it reprogrammed.

That honestly doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Unfortunately however the car is a 6 A/T

Actually, the best option is to just buy an ECU with the exact same part number and have it coded to the car at the dealer.

Don’t dick around with immobilizer defeats or make more work for yourself. Do it right the first time and be done with it.

Appreciate the insight, but do you know if the dealer will touch a used replacement ECU? From what I’ve been reading it seems to be a mixed bag on if they will or not. As far replacing the cluster, key and ecu go I just figured that would be the easiest route considering I’ve had success with that method on BMWs in the past, just didn’t know if it works or not on Audis. Saves a tow bill too

[EvolutionArmory]

Take a look at the B7 A4 owners Facebook group. There’s a guy there who keeps replacing parts VS just going to the dealer to get it coded. He’s basically kicking himself in the dick trying to avoid the dealer when he’d be driving his car 2 weeks ago if he just had his car programmed at the dealer.

[Playern07]

What symptoms does the car have to condemn the ECM?

[rhfosu]

To answer your question, yes. If you have the cluster, ecu, and key crystals from the same car, it will all work fine. You do not need to replace the ignition. I swapped the engine from my car into another member's car, along with the k04 programmed ecu, and that was all that was needed. It fired right up and ran fine.

[Theiceman]

What symptoms does the car have to condemn the ECM?

I was wondering too. I decided to let it pass as he seemed convinced and did not want to.open a can of worms

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

[Nollywood]

Be aware that some B7’s will run with an IMMO-defeated ECM, but the instrument cluster may not be happy, and will continually trigger the hazard / emergency lights.

Also, replacing the ECM with matching key and instrument cluster may also work, the engine will run, but this setup may conflict with your ABS, as it will report a different VIN. It may also put your head unit (if it’s an Audi one) in safe mode. So you’re still going to require coding.

You might as well do it properly, and get your replacement ECM aligned with your instrument cluster.

[QuartzQuattro]

What symptoms does the car have to condemn the ECM?

It will continually crank but never start and there’s no power to the obd. Checked all related fuses including fuel pump and swapped a few relays and still no dice. Also according to the previous owner the car has had a history of ecu issues under his ownership.

To answer your question, yes. If you have the cluster, ecu, and key crystals from the same car, it will all work fine. You do not need to replace the ignition. I swapped the engine from my car into another member's car, along with the k04 programmed ecu, and that was all that was needed. It fired right up and ran fine.

That sounds great my man, did you by chance also swap your cluster with it?

Be aware that some B7’s will run with an IMMO-defeated ECM, but the instrument cluster may not be happy, and will continually trigger the hazard / emergency lights.

Also, replacing the ECM with matching key and instrument cluster may also work, the engine will run, but this setup may conflict with your ABS, as it will report a different VIN. It may also put your head unit (if it’s an Audi one) in safe mode. So you’re still going to require coding.

You might as well do it properly, and get your replacement ECM aligned with your instrument cluster.

Sounds good man, I appreciate the heads up. I however wound up coming across a deal on one of the aforementioned kits to try out. Got it for the low so it’ll be a won’t be that big a deal if it doesn’t work out. I’ll report back to y’all with the end result!

[rhfosu]

That sounds great my man, did you by chance also swap your cluster with it?

Yes, the cluster, ecu, and key crystals. Full disclosure, my buddy did reprogram the vin in the cluster and ecu to match the car they went into. Nollywood brings up a good point about the ABS and other modules.

[Theiceman]

I'm.isually the last to condemn an ecu.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app