AznTran517

iTrader: (1)

I think my ecu is fried since my IACV went bad. I went to the dealer and they wanted $815. I think that's crazy... One of my question is can I go to the junkyard and get a 00-01 Maxima ecu or it has to be and i30? Also do I have to get it installed by the dealer?

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

Should be fine with any 00-01 max or I30 ecu, except if the year and/or fed/cali spec emissions doesn't match you'll have a few cel's without doing some work.

You don't have to go to them to put the actual ecu in, but you do need to spend (usually $75) for a consult nat's program whenever you swap the ecu on an immobilized car (99+). To save yourself some money you can remove your ecu yourself, leave it plugged in and laying on the passanger floor, swap it in the parking lot and have the program done and finish the install yourself.

AznTran517

iTrader: (1)

How easy is it to remove the ecu?

Absolutt

Why do you think the ecu is bad? Did you change the IAC valve and try a relearn first?

AznTran517

iTrader: (1)

I did change the IACV but my mechanic did a power test and said that its not responding and it's either the ecu or the wiring so I'm suspecting its the ecu.

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

I would have said the same thing, since it's very very rare for a nissan ecu to take a dump, but it's a known issue on the 5th gens, the iacv fails (probably an internal short) and takes out the ecu. Thing is I don't know if anyone has ever bothered to take there fried iacv 5th gen ecu apart, it could be a very easy fix and once it is out it's very easy to take it apart and give it a quick visual check.

Haven't had the pleasure of taking an ecu out of a 5th gen yet, but on 4g's it depends whether it's auto or stick how I go about it. But don't try to take the ecu out of the bracket, it's an insane nightmare, so much easier to remove the 10mm bracket bolts instead of the ecu to bracket screws. AZfter that you just cut the wire clips, bend the bracket a little, and take the whole bracket & ecu out. Doing it this way on a 4g makes a 2hr job a 2 minute job, seriously.

dineth00i30

damn so im sure my ecu is fried too. i have idle problems. (it idles high after driving in stop and go)

AznTran517

iTrader: (1)

Followed your steps and it came out pretty easy but i'm pretty sure installing it myself will be a nightmare! lol... Well actually my uncle owns a junkyard and we have a bunch of imports and I took the ecu out of a 5th gen Auto Max. I dont know if it had traction control or not(parts car missing dash parts). My question is how can I tell if this ecu will work or not?

maxima01ASAP

i have the same problem. My ECU burnt last week and my mechanic tells me it's gonna cost be $900 with a ECU from a junkyard. I asked him if i can get one online, he told me it needs to match my vin#. idk what that means. Help me. please

D I R T Y I 3 0

If the OP could get one from a 5th gen, car that is a completely different model and doesn't match his VIN number, you can get an ECU for much less. I think your mechanic is ripping you off

ShippedOut

iTrader: (1)

I had this same issue when I took my I30 out of storage. IACV went bad causing my ECU to fry. My friend TLMNICK re soldered my ECU by putting a new STA chip in, put in a new IACV and re routed my coolant flow new the IACV ( what causes the ecu to fry is coolant runs through the IACV, when that goes coolant leaks into ur ecu causing it to short the IACV chip ) and it's been great ever since. I payed around $500 instead of $2000 the dealer would have wanted for a new ECU, IACV, and install

ShippedOut

iTrader: (1)

If getting a used ECU. It will need to match your VIN. Ie auto, TCS if you have, year etc...

maxima01ASAP

Do you mean Auto part number. I am buying the ECU for same year car from ebay and most of them say we need to have same auto part number. But i can't find one with same auto part number.

tonwon

Im having the same issues as OP with my 2001 SE auto w/155k..... Will a bad IACV always throw a code? Check engine light works, but no codes.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

A bad IACV should cause a P0505 code. With a bad IACV, the engine will not idle at a constant speed, it will go up and down between approx 1800 and 400 rpm.

Here is a long thread with photos on the IACV causing the ECU to go bad:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...d-seconds.html

post # 5 explains what the chip does.
post # 27 has an ECU picture with a fried chip.
post # 29 has photos of the repair process.
post # 38 has photos of fuses being added to the ECU.
post # 70 states ecu repaired for $70 by autoecu.com
post # 78 states 2 places were the chip were bought.
post # 86 is another ECU repair place that charges $160.
post # 93 guy has a 2000 Infinity I30T & his ECU is slightly different.
post # 98 another guy with a 2000 Maxima has same ECU as infinity.

If you have a bad ECU, it is repairable. You have to replace a STA509A chip. If you can't do ir yourself, there are repair services that do that. Prices are in the $140 to $200 range.

tonwon

Thanks for the link. The only code i have is p0420. After i shut it off and restart it it will idle around 1300 to 3500 rpms. Very confusing, i plan on testing the iacv with a multimeter.