- Yeah. It may sound stupid, but I can't get my CEL checked. I followed the directions that are written up on vbxmaxima.com but there's no way that I can get any codes. On my ECU, where the screw is, it says "self-diagnosis". It also says "for idle adjustment" (or something like that). Anyway, I can't see the screw, nor can I feel the "groove" on it so I can turn it with a screw driver. I just blindly stuck the screw driver in there and tried to turn, hoping to turn the screw. Nothing happens!!!
- Did anyone of you guys have any troubles getting your codes? I'm afraid to change my idle RPM's by turning the screw driver around where I can't see. BTW, I have a '99 SE.

Thanks

 

There should be a tape covering the screw, and then on the tape a mark is written with a sharpie showing the original position of the screw. That shouldn't be an issue because you don't want to force anything, just turn until it stops. Peel off the tape but not all the way, and just tuck it aside. Then put it back, I guess so it doesn't appear as if it was tampered with, which is what it would look like if the whole tape were gone (or is yours gone?). Good luck.

 

- Yeah, I poked through the tape with a screw driver so the tape is not there any more. I just can't manage to find the groove on the screw!!! It's aggrovating me!!
- Thanks for the reply though.

 

the groove should be a flat head and right in line with the sharpie mark on the ecu. You might have to peel the tape back instead of just punching a whole in it.

 

The ECU is different on the '99's. It is a very small phillips head screw. It is not is the center of the hole. If you get real close view you will see a white plastic screw, Use the smallest phillips screw driver you can find. Its in there.

 

I have a 99 GLE, and I use a small flat-head (not phillips) screw driver. I have to use a screw driver that is small enough so that it does not hit the gas pedal. This is the only way I can get the screw driver to line up with the screw. I do it by feel. I guess my head is too fat to let me see inside the hole. I put the screw driver in lightly, and I slowly turn it counter-clockwise until I feel it find the slot. As stated above, you don't want to force the screw past its stop. My screw turns approximately 180 degrees from stop to stop.

I don't recall any sharpie mark. My screw is always at the counter-clockwise stop since this is where it ends up any time I check or erase the codes. I've done this more than I care to since I just replaced my rear O2 sensor and an ignition coil in the last 2 weeks.

 

I used a mirror and flashlight in order to find the screw, had to remove the plastic film covering it. You may need a very tiny flathead screwdriver (like a jeweler's one). The screw is toward the bottom of the hole (not centered). Turn on key, then turn screw to the right (clockwise), hold for at least 2 secs, then turn it back to the left. The codes should flash. Then repeat to clear the codes. Be gentle, do not force the screw past the stops in either direction. It turns less than one full turn (like a 1/2 turn or so)...

 

yeah checking 99 ECU is next to impossible... I just tried, and failed thanks to not being able to see **** in there, and couldnt fit under the steering column.

guess I'll be getting creative with some tiny *** screwdriver, mirrors, and flashlight to get this thing checked.

 

I'm having the same problem with my 99, thta ECU is a b**ch to get at....so whats the verdict flathead or philips head?