I know that an auto ecu will not work in a 5spd car, but what about the other way around?
I'm selling my JWT 5spd ecu from my 99 and the person interested has an auto that was converted to stick, I'm thinking that nothing was changed in his car at the ecu for the conversion or at least it wasn't completely swapped out for a standard ecu. I'm trying to find out if my ecu will work in his car or if it would be a waste of money and time mailing my ecu to him to try it...
Thanks!

 

i think you have it mixed up...an auto ecu will work in a 5speed...but a 5speed ecu won't work in an auto

 

you are correct......i think. let me come back to this later.

 

haha, well I'm certain that a stock auto 99 will NOT work in a stock 5spd 99 because Jsutter and I tried this. It would crank but nothing else. I'm curious about a stock auto being switched with a JWT 5spd...

 

Are you aware of NATS on the 99s? Did you reprogram your keys when you swapped ECMs?
If not, then that's why it just cranks and doesnt fire up. An auto ECM should work fine on a 5spd. I would assume that the majority of people who have done the 5spd swap have not swapped ECMs.

 

No when we did that we just quickly plug and played the ecu. But what about my 99 JWT ecu into an auto ecu 99?

Edit: I do know about the NATS but didn't realize about the ecm.

 

The auto ECM communicates with the TCM so I dont think a 5spd ECM would work on an auto but I could be wrong.

 

If you neglected to reprogram NATS system, then that's why you came to the incorrect conclusion that a '99 auto ECU will not work in a '99 5MT. It will.

You can't just 'quickly PnP' '99 ECUs. There's the NATS system. Of course it is tied in to the ECU, otherwise it wouldn't be very effective at keeping the car from starting.

The car will still drive, but you'll likely only have 3rd gear and reverse.

Either one will work in either car. However if you don't match them up correctly, you'll have driveability issues on both.

 

omohr thanks for the post! But what if he has an auto ecu but the car has been switched to manual trans, wouldn't the NATS be altered for this to work as well?
For it to completely work right he would need the nats from a 5spd or my maxima specifically? Essentially it wouldn't be a direct ecu swap and things would be fine...?



P.S. when I said "plug and play" I just meant I plugged the ecu in and tried it!

 

There is no difference in the NATS system for 5MT or auto. The NATS isn't a single definable object, it's composed of the NATS IMMU, receiver antenna, and the component in the ECU (plus all associated wiring, key, etc).

Assuming JWT didn't disable NATS on their '99 ECU(s), then the prospective buyer would just need to go to the dealer or somewhere else with a CONSULT-II or equivalent to have the ECU reprogrammed to read their key(s).

 

Well when I had the JWT ecu in my maxima the security still worked normal but the security light would stay solid while the car was running. So I would guess based on that they didn't disable it...

 

This ECU from JWT is not out of a 99 so it didnt have the immobilizer. Remember JWT only works on early model ECU's

 

^^ i know someone with a 99 and they have a JWT ECU

 

That's right Jon, I completely forgot that JWT takes a 96 Ecu to convert to the 99 that they sell!!

Ok so maybe he would only have to have it rewired from JWT to be an auto? I'm not sure if they do that or it's possible...

 

JWT takes older ecu's and converts them to work in the later models, a 99 JWT ecu started out as a stock 96 ecu with the same specs, the same for 98's etc.

 

ti2tmax,

My car was originally an auto, and was recently converted into a 5spd. It's still has my original auto ecu plugged in. Everything works fine, but my check engine light is on because of the "missing" auto transmission sensors. I'm in the La Mesa/Lemon Grove area. If you want to test your ECU in my car, I'm willing to help out.

 

Thanks, That would be excellent! I'll PM you.

 

I haven't heard back from krzymax, but also I didn't realize Jim Wolf technology was based in El Cajon which is about 10 miles from where I am. I'll try just visiting them...

 

You told me in the PM that you would know your schedule after the interview in Oceanside? I've been waiting to see what your schedule is like.

 

OH!! I didn't realize. My schedule is still quite open actually when would be best for you?

 

just use an auto one.

 

ti2tmax and I tested his ecu in my Maxima. Since the JWT ecu is originally a '96 converted for a '99, the NATS system does NOT apply. We were able to start up my Maxima and drove around a few blocks without any problems.

At the same time, I also have a '99 5-spd ecu that I am in the process of installing into my Maxima. In this case, the NATS system DOES apply, so I will have to take my car to the Nissan dealership to have them reprogram my keys to the new ecu.

I hope this clears up some confusion.

 

Your best bet is just to find an auto one so you don't spend money twice

 

His auto ecu pulls five or so auto trans codes, he's looking to avoid that by using a 5spd ecu.