Im still on the hunt for a 95-96 ECU for my 97. I have some questions I hope someone can answer.

1. Are both the 95-96 ecu just as good as another ? Does anyone know for certain if one can out perform the other ?

2. Im leaning towards a 96 in which has two dates 10/95 and 11/95. Is one better than the other ? Is there any difference ?

Basically, while im searching, if there is an ecu that someone knows is better than the other, or if there are any differences. I would love to know. I am matching the Trim and Transmission to my 97.

thanks







More Information than most care to read

Well, around two weeks ago I think it was I began my search for a 95-96 ECU. Im doing the whole JWT ECU upgrade thing. I eventually found an ecu.

I have a 1997 SE, 5 speed manual transmission and what I need is a 95 or 96 matching ecu (manual tranny, SE ) So I search car-parts.com and figure one place was as good as the next.

I found an ecu. It was advertised and sold to me as a 96/SE/5SPD Manual. It felt great to finally complete stage one and now all that was left was to hook it up and test it out a few days. If everything went well, it would be time to move on to the next step.

A few days later my ecu arrived and I was ready to do the whole plug and play hookup. I opened the box up and pulled out the ecu. It was old and dingy but I figured she would do the trick! O HELL NO ! I spot the words 96 Auto written on the ecu in yellow magic marker. It appeared to have been there for years.

Now worried as to why this would be written on the ecu. I thought hey, I asked the guy about 50 times in emails and 100 times on the phone to double check, there is no way this could be an auto. So goof must have written it on their on accident.

I ask a few questions and then end up disconnecting that little insert piece and laying this unit on the floor and plugging it in. Nothing to it. The Max cranks right up. Im not actually able to tell be the service engine light if anything is wrong. I already have 2 codes causing the light to be on all the time.

So for fun I get out on the road to see if it has anykind of limiter. I knew it shouldnt its and SE, right ? But those yellow words were still making me paranoid. I zip out onto the interstate and warp up to 130 mph no limiter of any sort.

So I go back to the house and figure I should check the codes. Wanted to make sure this was exactly what I needed before I send it off. What I noticed was a different code flashing, turns out it what I feared. Automatic transmission code.

I was in a rotten mood. How could they send me this auto ecu after I bothered the mess out of them.

From this point on it became a nightmare. Long story short they did not want to take it back. But they did with much fighting on my part.

So here I am still searching and fighting for my ecu upgrade !

 

I'd get 1996. JWT told me my 5/95 ecu was not upgradeable--they still took it and gave me another but something to be aware of. The layout is slightly different as are components--you can tell just by looking at the two side by side. Don't know if this matters but 1996 ushered in OBDII. Some say all 1995+ maxima's are OBDII but I'm not so sure. To be safe, I'd just get 1996 since it's more like your car--at least in terms of emissions.

 

i think 95s are def OBDI

 

96 sounds good but what about the dates of 10/95 and 11/95 on the 96 ecu ? was something changed , anything of importance here ? I guess not but wanted to ask. dont you hate when you get something and then someone pops up and says well i got the such and such one because it runs lean or something and kicks in 5 more horses ?!!?!? lol

just trying to make sure ..

 

I'm convinced the difference between the 2 ECU's would result in a CEL or no CEL. I'm in the same boat for my 97 5-speed (manufactured 12/96). I think the CEL phenomena either has to do with the date the modified ECU was manufactured or has to do with the production date of the whole Maxima.

 

so for a '98 5spd what ECU should I get?
all of them are going to give me CEL right?