I have a 03 maxima.
the ecu is bad!!!!
Nissan wants 1000 for new..
can I get one from a used car?
If it's the same year and model
what all would need to be done??
Please help I need this car fixed

 

How do you know that the ECU is bad? What kind of problem are you having?

There are places that repair the ECU, prices are from $125 to $250.

You can get a junkyard ECU. Make sure the car is the same year and has the same equipment.

 

Highly unlikely unless mounts fried it.

Yes, list symptoms.

A stealership will tell you anything, so they can charge you thousands.
And it still won't be fixed.

 

A guy on the My5th gen Facebook group repairs them for $125 and is highly recomended

 

symptoms that the car is having.
the car had a check engine light for camshaft sens. So I replaced all 3 myself car still had same problems as in
car won't start when warm.
shuts off at any time as driving .
bogs out won't go with peddle to the floor.
And can't drive the car long or it dies
I took it to a side shop also that could not find the problem and then told me to take to dealership
witch has had it for 3 day now and is telling me the ecu,or wiring harness
wil

 

what do you mean unless your mounts fried it?

 

Your front electric motor mount can short out and fry your ecu

 

If the car shuts off when driving, then the most likely causes are: camshaft/crankshaft sensors, lack of fuel, bad MAF, or VSS (Vehicle Speed semnsor). Have you and/or the dealer checked the fuel filter/pump, the MAF, and the VSS?

It would be nice to eliminate the harness problem (can't the dealer tell you? - they should be able to). Re. the ECU, the following places do fix them:

• AvPro ECM in Fort Meyers, FL (http://www.avproecm.com/nissan.htm). These guys will not only repair ECU, but also they will also improve it by adding fusing protection. All this for $250, with 2-3 day return and a lifetime warranty.
• Module Repair (http://www.shop.modulerepairpro.com/...-2000_c801.htm) will repair your ECU for $199.- and ship it back within two days. They advertise the same service on eBay for $99., so make your choice. They are rated 4.5 stars on Yelp.
• Automotive Scientific (aka ASI) http://www.autoecu.com/electronic-co...ol-module-3-0/ This is a larger outfit that will repair your ECU (and many other electronic compon-ents) for $149.
• Foreign Auto Computer Repair, Big Sandy, TX. (http://www.foreignecurepair.com/Nissan.htm). ECU repair for $250.

If you can, have your ECU fixed rather than replaced - you'll avoid the need to have your keys reprogrammed. Have you removed your ECU and confirmed that it's indeed bad? (Usually, the STA509 power transistor is burnt, and you can tell ... ).

You should also read this thread - great education and a lots of horror stories: https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...seconds-5.html

 

The dealer said that they have Went over every thing witch makes them think it was ecu,wiring harness,he did say somthing about it could be a mm

The car had a check engine light for the camshaft positioning sensor that came on wensday I waited till Friday to go get the parts as pulling in it died and I started it then started to bog out so I waited till morning got up drove the car about 2 miles before it started to act up agin so I changed the sensors reset the light it did work so I dropped it off at a shop that said they could not find the problem witch is why it's at the dealer

 

What's "mm"?

In your car (2003), the most likely cause of a failed ECU is a failed electronic motor mount. If this is the case, be sure to disconnect or replace the electronic mount before replacing/repairing the ECU. Even some dealers are known to have made this error - read the "new ECU, fried in seconds" thread.

 

I just replaced my 2001 Maxima with aa 2003 Maxima I hope this doesn't become an issue with me! I was wondering this same thing about the ECU because I have 2 extra ones now. One is in the 01 and one is in a box awaiting repair if need be. I had so many problems with this issue in the beginning I am sorry I don't have any solutions really I hope you get it resolved. Once I got my 3rd ECU into my 01 it never failed or threw any codes again. I went through hell and had to have it done 2x.

 

I opened my ecm today theres 3 black prongs the first prong is burnt up and cracked what would have caused that??
code on black prong that is cracked is
sr2805
sta509a

 

I do repairs on ecu's

 

2001 and 2003 ecu's are not interchangable

 

Your ECU was fried. Unless the board itself is damaged, you can, and you should, have it fixed. I already gave you the list of reputable fixers - see my earlier post above. Even more important: you can't just replace your ECU - you also have to replace the part that burnt it. I suspect it's you electronic engine mounts, but I would do more research. The other possible causes of ECU failure are: i) IACV (only on 3.0L), and ii) TPS. With TPS, there are reports that it can cause an ECU failure, but few people (if any) understand how it happens. I don't.

 

I am Goin to have it redone just trying to find out what happin to make it fried

 

Does the ecu gotta have the same model numbers

 

Your awsome lol yes the STA509 transistor is burnt up what would have caused that problem????
So I can fix be for repairing ecm

 

probably one of the items listed below:

most likely engine mounts assuming you have auto trans. unplug them and/or replace with manual mounts

 

I will unplug the mm this is the 3.5 so will the other problems you listed go to this car as well... and there was no way that the camshaft Sen on back 2 caused it to fry

 

Would the people that is going to repair my car ecm be able to tell me if it is the motor mounts or something different

 

your car shouldn't have iacv, i don't know about the tps issue that was listed. try to search and see what you find.

 

Thanks for that info! Very helpful.
I have an 01 with a great new ECM {3rd time was the charm!lol} and one on deck that is fried and the original stock.
I just totaled out the 01 and kept it for salvage. I am considering rebuilding it so I may be interested in fixing that ECM for a spare. Thanks again.
I just bought an 03 but I have a lot into that 01 so I am trying to decide what to do.
Cheers

 

I sent the ecm out to get fixed i was told it was the iacv the fried the ecm i called nissan today to get the part they said the car don't have one ?????

 

Yes, your car - and all other 5.5-Gen Maximas - does not have an IACV. Have you read post #15 above? It seems like you haven't - and that post was an answer to one of your earlier questions!!!

 

^^^^ this guy here, listen to him

 

The car has had a motor swap and does not appear that it has electronic mm the question is..
I was told it was the iacv that fried my ecm on the 03 there is no iacv so what else could it be? I will be will getting my ecm back tomorrow from a vender listed above

 

What engine was swapped in?
You are a bit late with this piece of information. The answer is important: the 3.0L has an IACV, while the 3.5L does not. In either case, you should personally find out what you have (or don't) have. Time to get under the hood.

 

3.5 so what else could the problem be

 

is it automatic?

 

Yes it is a auto

 

can you tell me if this red connector piece is connected or just hanging freely?

 

I am currently at work I will be working on the car today I will take a look at it and let you no more detail I really don't wanna hook up the rebuild ecm and fry it

 

i exchanged a few PMs with OP yesterday- right now this seems to be the history

• 03 max, automatic transmission. has had engine (3.5) replaced sometime in past
• CEL triggered for p0345, replaced both cam shaft sensors and crank shaft sensor with OEM parts
• dealer says ECU is bad - was sent for repairs
• yesterday motor mounts have been disconnected, throttle body replaced, repaired ECU installed, and the car "will not stay running if you give it gas and dies out". CEL is back

anyone with ideas on how to get this guys car running?

 

Well, why is the CEL on - what's the code?

 

It's for camshaft positioning sensor bank 2 I have changed both camshaft sensors and also the crankshaft I figured at the beginning of this process that I bought a faulty sensor so I went back and exchanged all three of them with new
p0345

 

You still have a problem there; could be a bad connector, broken wire, or other. Follow the diagnostic procedure on pages E-322 to EC-330 of the FSM.
Re. the FSM, you can donload it from here: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/2003/