Looking for the Ecu in my car
2000 se
anyone no where it is please help need to change it and i have no idea where it is i Know im a newbie
anyhelp would be awesome thanks guys

 

it's there, all right, in your car

 

here is the right procedure of finding the ecu in maxima, carefully follow it:
1. place your right foot over the gas pedal
2. move it to the right 2-3 in, u will hit a cover held in place with 2 plastic clips
3. remove the cover, u will c a flat metal box - that's one side of the ecu
4. go around your car and take seat in the passanger seat
5. imagine that there are pedals also, but gas is on the left side of the brake.
6. now, place your LEFT foot over the imaginary gas pedal
7. this time move your foot 2-3 in to the left, u'll hit a cover again.
8. pop the cover, u'll see a flat metl box with a big elongated connector, u've found another side of the ecu.
if not successful, repeat steps 1 through 8.

 

If you can't find the ECU to begin with, I'm not sure if you should be messing with it.

 

Haha true. Hey is it possible to pull the CEL codes on the 5th gen ECU like we did on the 4th gen one? It takes me 3 minutes to get the codes on my '96, but I tried one day on our '02 and the screw isn't there!

 

The Stickies are your friend:

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...0&postcount=91

 

You have to go through your trunk to get to the ECU............

 

you cant pull the same way as 4th gens unfortunately, go to your nearest autozone and get it checked for free or by an obd II scanner.

 

On a 2002 or 2003 model, you can check error codes by going through the weird dance ritual with the key and the gas pedal. It's basically the first half of the ECU reset procedure. I can't remember all of the steps off the top of my head, but I think that after turning the key to the ON position and pressing/releasing the accelerator pedal in the right magical sequence, you can get the SES light to flash your codes to you. It will flash slowly for the first digit of the error code, then it will flash quickly to show you the remaining digits (flash once for 1, twice for 2, thrice for 3, and so on... it flashes 10 times for 0). There will be a pause between each digit.

So, for the imaginary error code 0173, you would see the following flashes:

Ten slow flashes
Pause
One quick flash
Pause
Seven quick flashes
Pause
Three quick flashes
Pause
Repeat from beginning

If you have more than one code, you will see the codes flashed in order in the manner described above. Once the computer has gone through all of your error codes, it will start over with the first one and flash through all of them again.

 

Ok, I found the procedure online.

1. With the car off, release the gas pedal completely.
2. Turn the key to the ignition to the ON position (the position that the key would be in if the car were running) and wait 3 seconds. DO NOT START THE CAR.
3. Do the following five (5) times within five (5) seconds:
a. Press the gas pedal all the way to the floor.
b. Release gas pedal completely.
4. Wait seven (7) seconds, then press the gas pedal all the way to the floor and hold for ten (10) seconds.
5. When the SES/MIL light starts flashing, release the gas pedal.

You are seeing your codes now. Don't feel rushed to read the code as it starts flashing. If you miss it the first time, it's no big deal. The codes repeat over and over until you make them stop. If all you want to do is read your codes, you can shut the key off to exit diagnostic mode.

If you want to reset your ECU and clear the codes, follow the instructions above to reach diagnostic mode, then do the following:

1. Press and hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor for more than ten (10) seconds.
2. When the SES/MIL light starts flashing again, release the gas pedal.
3. The SES/MIL light should flash ten (10) times, pause, flash ten (10) times, pause, flash ten (10) times, pause, and flash ten (10) times.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Wait 3 seconds, and start the car.

Your light should be clear now, but it will come back on if the problem still exists.



I got this info from this site, which I found through a sticky thread here in the 5th gen forum.

 

Spiromax, thanks for pointing that out. Fortunetly I have a buddy with a laptop and an OBD-II interface, so he helped me out the last time the car threw a code. This will save me a trip over to his place next time it happens.

 

rough oh so rough. lol.

 

This is exactly what was in the link I posted above. I guess even clicking on a link is too much to ask these days.

 

I didn't claim it as my own. I credited the site where I got it, which happens to be the same site that is linked on the How-To thread that you linked us to. I know that people could've clicked on the How-To thread and then found the info that I posted above, but I was feeling generous.

 

The ecu is the same place where I would check the codes correct?

 

Yeah, I know, it was nothing against you, Spiro.

 

Hi

I dont know if this is correct place to post or not. If not any guidelines will be appreciated.

I have a 2001 Maxima and The dealer has told me that the ECU need to be replaced. It will cost $$$ 1200 !!

I dont know what to do.

I am trying the foll: steps
1. Somebody to check my ECU to see if its bad and fix it if possible
2. Find a cheaper replacement ECU

I am having success with 2 above by checking salvage car shops.

I would like to know if its possible to get a ECU from a salvaged car and fix it on my own ? What will it take to do that ? Will I have to go to the dealer to program it ?

So if somebody could help me with this it will be great

Thanks

 

if it works maybe u'll have more mileage on odometer. maybe less. good luck. shouldn't need programming if its same model/tranny

 

So I can just replace my old ECU/ECM and with the one I get from salvage yard ?

I thought there should be some programming done to the ECU or else car wont start because keys etc need to be programmed as well.

 

I replaced an ECU with a used one and the car needed to be key coded afterwards (I did not let me start it with security light was on)...

 

o yahh... forgot about that. haha.
some local mechanics can do that for u. ask around before going to a dealer

 

My maxima is 2001 without Traction control and automatic

Will any computer (ECM) from the same model and year and without Traction control and automatic will work ? Or do I have to get the same A56 ** number which is printed on the ECM that I am replacing?

Reply is much appreciated

 

My SES light is glowing. I got it checked at Auto ZOne and got the code. Code is P1456. I checked the list and it means EVAP control system small leak (positive Pressure) No idea what this means. Can anybody help...