I am installing a Technosquare ECU into my car. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for removing the old ECU and installing the new one. How long is this supposed to take as well?

 

hmmm, me and a friend took out my old ecu on my old max. Its harder than we thought because there were screws holding the ecu where we couldnt imagine lol. Not as hard as installing a pulley or anything, just take out your middle console and your side protectors and there are like 4 screws on top, probably 2-4 on each side. Its held down real well. I forgot a lot cause its been 2+ years....

 

Thank you for your post meccanoble. Sounds like getting a friend to help may be one of the best ways. Anyone want to add anything?

 

I just removed my ECU last weekend. It was fairly time consuming, but then again I'm kinda slow lol.

Anyway there are two ways to remove the ECU once you remove the side trim panels (on each side of the console--one near the pedals on left side and near floor on right side).

First way:
1. One the right side of the ECU, remove the harness connector from the ECU. This looks like a screw on the right side of the ECU.
2. Remove two 10 mm screws that hold the ECU mounting bracket. These bolts are tough to get to so be patient. The screws are located on the front side of the ECU (closest to radio). I used several tools to try to get these ***** out, but sockets will help the most . Still the wiring harnesses were in the way making it tough to ratchet the screws out.
3. Remove the zip ties that hold the wiring harness to the ECU mounting bracket. You can cut the zips or use a screw driver to remove them--just be careful not to damage or cut any wires.
4. Wiggle the mounting bracket out (the ECU will be attached)
5. Once the ECU mounting bracket is out, you can easily remove the 4 phillips screws that hold the ECU to mounting bracket.


Second way (not really recommended)
Remove 4 screws that hold the ECU to the mounting bracket.

1. The 4 screws (phillips) are located on the corners of the ECU, but you'll need an offset screw driver to be able to get to the screws.
2. Even with the offset screwdriver, it's hard to see the screws to unscrew them.
3. If you're really patient you can eventually get them out, but it's time consuming (at least for me it was) since there is very little room to manuever.
4. If you can get all 4 screws out, the ECU will very easily slide out from the mounting bracket.

Good luck!

 

Thank you j, great info. Just curious though, why is option 2 not really recommended?

 

well i think there are pros and cons to each option so if you don't want to haggle with the wiring harnesses and the mounting bracket, option 2 is probably the way to go. but the rear screws are tough to see so be prepared to get a little frustrated.

 

I see you jmmax have a '97-- i wasn't aware there was a technosquare ecu for a '97?

 

I did option #2. here is a pic of where the phillips screws are located.



As for "I see you jmmax have a '97-- i wasn't aware there was a technosquare ecu for a '97? "

You can buy a 96 ecu and send it to technosqares and have them program it, and then stick it in your 97, but you will get a check engine light thats says you have a bad o2 sensor.

 

Nice pic!

However if you removed the entire bracket and the 4 screws, then you actually did option #1 and #2. I ended up doing this too.

 

I had a spare bracket sitting around