My Nissan has been in the shop for a couple days now for a misfire on the number six cylinder. They just informed me that the ECU is bad and it will cost $608 for a new one and take a couple of days to get here Can I get a significantly better price from one of the discount Nissan dealers? Should I try to get one from a junkyard?

It has taken them almost $200 in labor to figure out what the problem was, does that sound right or did they screw up? Can I replace the ECU myself or is it difficult and/or require special tools?

I wish there was an ECU upgrade for 98 Maxes, this would be the perfect time to buy one. I guess my first step will be to call/e-mail all the discount Nissan dealers on this site. Any other suggestions?

 

Find oune out of a salvaged car. Should be no more than $100 to $150....

 

About 15-45 mins to put in.......easy....just swap em out.

Go for a gforce one or jwt....for that much......

I think cheston can get a gd for $380 ...depends on year of max i think.

Aaron

 

I got one used for my car few months back for $100. They were anywhere from $100 to $250 at junkyards. Make sure you have the number off the sticker on your ECU. Junkyards needs to info to get you the right ECU.

 

no such thing for 98 maxima's

 

ARRRRGGGG, my car is at the dealer right now. Can I get the number based on the VIN somehow? Would it have to be a 98 and have the right number or would it be any 97-99 with the right number?

I have called a few dealers and none of them is giving me a significantly better price even with the Maxima.org discount.

 

just call them up and ask them for the # off the ecu. or go down yourself if it's close by. explain to them that you don't feel like getting ripped off for a new ecu and that you plan on buying a used one from a junkyard. it's your car... don't let them dictate what you have to buy for it.

 

I have been calling junkyards for a while now. One place didn't have it but looked it up and said used ones are going for $350 does that sound right? For that price I would rather get a new one.

 

Check with DAVEB in Texas, maybe he can get you a good deal on a new ECU. You'd have to wait a few days for shipping, but it might be worth it.

 

a couple of points here:

1) Why do they think your ECU is fried?
2) I had one dealer tell me to replace my Y-Pipe (which was stock
at the time) to fix a problem I was having (which, btw, is a VERY
expensive repair that takes an hour to do). Took my car to a
different dealer, and they said it was a STUCK INJECTOR on #6.

My whole point (yeah, I babble) is that one dealer didn't find
the problem AT ALL in about 8 hours of labor (f'ing crooks!).

3) Easy to do...

personally, I HATE ALL NISSAN DEALERS!!!
although, the local Infiniti guy is really good (and most of the time
cheaper for parts!!!)

hope this helps,
FLO_BOY

 

I assumed if it was something as simple as a stuck injector they would be able to find it but maybe I am giving them too much credit. I am not sure how they figured it needed a new ECU but I assumed they had the equipment a knowledge to figure that out, again maybe I am giving them too much credit. If the new ECU does not fix the problem I will definatly be getting my old one back.

Next time I talk to them I will ask why they think the ECU is fried. If you can't trust a Nissan dealer to fix a problem you can't take care of yourself than what are you supposed to do?

 

Get ahold of maxima168 aka gotrize168 on AIM. He can get used ECUs for $150 a piece. I think I saw that he had a 98 for sale a few weeks ago.

 

Thanks, but I already bought one from the dealer, I don't have time to be shopping around for the best price. I can't be without a car so now I am paying for a rental car. I really want my car fixed as soon as possible. I called every junkyard in my state and none had an ECU for my car, most didn't have any recent Maximas. The only ones who could get an ECU for me would have to get it from another junkyard and wanted $350 and $375, if I have to pay that much I would rather just get a brand new one. I used an online used parts location service and someone has one for $300 and another company can rebuild mine for $250.

 

That's too bad that you're in such a tight spot.

I personally would have taken it to another shop for a second opinion.

Good luck with it. Hope they were right about the ECU.

 

JWT

 

Dealers main priority is to rip you off.
Thats why I work on my car myself.