Anyone know how you can determine if the ECU is bad? I am having some strange problems, which I think I've narrowed down to the ECU. Also, where would the best place be to get a new ECU for the 3rd gens?

 

Junkyard . .

 

yeah i would say junkyard too. As I have not seen any of them go bad yet. What type of problems are you having?

 

Ok, here are some of the problems I'm having.

1. I had a bad TPS sensor, which I replaced, but the bad one, even though it was showing code 43 when hooked up to the shop CONSULT, was not showing the "Check Engine" light. I have checked that the light works when the car is started. This is the one that makes me think it's the ECU.
2. The Manual neutral switch, which is supposed to only let the engine start if it's in neutral, isn't working.
3. The "Low fuel" light doesn't come on when fuel is low.

Now I'm not sure if 2 and 3 are the sending units, but 1 really makes me wonder. Anyone experienced similar symptoms?

 

On DSMs, you can open them up and smell them, I assume that it is the same for a maxima. If it smells like rotten fish or anything burnt, then it's definately bad. I've never ran into a maxima that had a bad one, but it happens. Good luck

 

ok their are a lot of codes that does not make mine come on but their are a few that will. Just try to take out the cluster and switch one of the bulbs around and see if it just the bulb that is bad for the gas light.

 

i have a good ECU.. PM me if you are interested.....i have two 1992-1994 SE ECU's and TCU's (VE motor).......and i haveone VG ECU and TCU....any takers, PM me

 

doesn't sound like a bad ECU to me.
maybe a bad wire or 2 but the ECU is probably fine

 

Thanks everyone. Maybe I won't just jump to the ECU yet, I think I'll have to do some more troubleshooting. BTW, does anyone know what the symptoms are for a bad ECU?

 

i thought that if the ECU was bad, the car wouldnt run at all

 

many things can fail inside the ECU.
and the symptomology is all over the place, anything it controls can be affected.
Radiator fans, injectors, coilsetc..

 

still looking for ECU code troubleshooting stuff. haven't done this, but know it will be helpful when i run into some trouble.

 

try the stickies...it should be in there although I am not sure since I usually dont look at them.