http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=348679

If anyone has been paying attention to the above thread you would know that a few of on on here have been trying to allow 1999 Maxima's to run a 1996 ECU. the main driving force is ENG92 has been running a 1996 ECU in his 1998 and i have been corresponding with him sending him 99 ECU pin outs for comparison. This thread is to help document his progress and hopefully eventually this will become a "how to". thanks to ENG92 for taking his time to try to help us 1999's to move foward.

 

Nice thread title Zack
Let us try and keep this thread clean. Please no negative comments like "it doesn't work or it won't work"
Feel free to post with very specific information about your own personal attempt. Not what you heard that somebody else tried.

 

Dave i am going to start looking for a 96 calispec ECU today. do you think a 96 calispec ECU to 99 Calispec would be easier.

 

You would be better off with the Fed Spec.
In 1996, according to the FSM, the only thing different in the Engine Control circuit between Cali and Fed spec is the requirement for a fuel pump control module and dropping resistor. If you get the Fed spec, you will not be throwing the P1220 code like mine is doing right now.

Check the number of the ECU before you order it:
Mine is an A18C84EY0
Here is a list from JWTs site
http://jimwolftechnology.com/wolfpdf/ECU-ID.PDF

 

Just an update to save a few folks from having to read through all the pages in the original thread.
Chuckie311 has a 96 Fed Spec ecu which he is trying to get going in his 99 Cali spec car.

I have sent him all the ecu pin changes required to get the engine to start and run. However I expect to see a series of codes thrown as Nissan changed the EGR and EVAP systems from 98 to 99. Of course he will also get a rear O2 sensor code but that is an easy fix.
I am just waiting to hear back from Chuckie311 as he was starting this project this morning. He was having some difficulty removing the terminals from the connector, but I hope he persevered and was successful.

NOTE: As it stands right now, I do not have much hope for 99s that are auto. Nissan used a different TCM in 99 with only a single connection to the ECU. The 96 TCM has 5 connections to the ECU. Unless you can run a 96 TCM on a 99 transmission, this conversion will not work.

Well I guess the diehard 99s out there will be doing 5 speed conversions

 

Edit chuckies car is a Fed Spec 99.

 

I knew the 96 ECU he has is Fed spec. I just assumed that since he lives in Cali that he has a Cali-spec car. Obviously the car came from out-of-state.

Well that is ironic. You live in MA and have a Cali-spec car and he lives in Cali and has a Fed spec car.

 

Don't you love how they do things here in the states. my car isn't from out of state though, born an raised in MA i bought it from the original owner and it was fully serviced by the dealership he purchased the car from.

98SEBlackMax who lives about an hour from me is pretty good with wiring and he has a spare 96 ECU and a 96 FSM. SO i am going to e-mail him the ECU pin outs and see if we can meet up and try something out. Dave can you e-mail what needs to be done to allow a 96 fed ECu to work in my 99 Cali Spec car.

 

I can email you the info tomorrow. The files are on my computer at work.

I would prefer to wait and hear back on chuckies progress before anyone else gives this a whirl.
My conversion information is based exclusively on what is contained in the FSMs. I have already found a few inconsistencies between them so I want to make sure the information I provide is 100% accurate.

 

chuckie? any luck