Long time since I have been on here, and unfortunately it is not a good thing that I am back.

Last week the car stalled while leaving a parking lot. The car would not stay running if the RPMs dropped below 2ooo. So, I got it home using interesting braking/gear selection methods (its an auto to use my code reader.

I had a handful of codes:
po430 Catalyst 2-1 Efficiency
p0141 O2 Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 Heater Performance
po500 Vehicle Speed Sensor
po505 Idle Air Control Motor Circuit

After clearing the codes, the car quit stalling, but had idled at 2ooo RPMs. It consistently surges in park, and inconsistently surges in gear. The only code that has come back is the po505.

After some digging, I figured the IACV has blown, frying the ECM. Against my better judgement I took it to the stealership to see what they had to say..

They were unable to relearn the idle after multiple attempts, and told me the entire throttle body assembly needed replacing for the special price of $999.99 . They said that they figured the ECM was okay, and that a throttle body would solve all the problems in my life.

In other words, they wanted to screw me by replacing the TB, watching it fry again from the fried ECM and then have to replace the TB again and the ECM. Which would have been well over $3ooo

I took it upon myself to pull the ECM and check it out, finding it is indeed fried at the STA509A mofset(?) like most others who have had the IAC blow.

I disconnected the motor mounts as a precaution and am looking to order a new IAC, but obviously I need to do something about the ECM.

I do not have the time to send it off to be repaired, and honestly I probably can repair it on my own if I order a new STA509A piece. BUT rather than risking further damaging the ECM and/or finding out that the board is permanently damaged.. Id rather grab an ECM from a junkyard for $30 and swap it in for my own. I have heard that the keys must be reprogrammed when swapping an ECM which brings two questions:

1) how much would it cost to have my keys reprogrammed to a junkyard ECM?

2) If i find a car that has the ECM AND the key, would I be able to just swap the ECMs and attach the junkyard ECM's key in the steering column?

Just trying to keep the cost down and get this solved before the weekend. I am a a broke student trying to get it fixed as quick as possible because I need to be able to get home for a funeral next week.

I appreciate all advice/help, and I thank you in advance! Seacrest out

 

You can program the keys yourself with nissan datascan II. About 65 total for program and a cheap cable.

Stealership is full of ****, as usual.

Quit driving it. Pull ECU to confirm damage, first.

 

R. #1: It should cost you no more than $250 to have your keys reprogrammed; the job takes an hour, or less; everything else is gravy for the dealer.

Re. #2: In principle, yes. HOWEVER: be absolutely certain the donor car and your car use the same ECU. And I mean the SAME ECU - "same" means "same product #". (Options such as traction control become very important; the bottom line is - you better know what the product # of your ECU is).

 

I have heard about the datascan II. Ill look into it. Thanks!

As stated in my long-winded post, I have already removed the ECM and it is fried.

 

Should be 60 bucks. Pull up, swap ecu yourself, tell them you're not paying 1 hr labor for 30 secs of work. They will bill for 30 mins.

 

Appreciate the reply sir! Or should I say boy?

I'd like to avoid that $250 at all costs, for now at least.

That is the information I was looking for, I am aware of the supreme importance of getting the exact ECM, though I appreciate the advice. I have the ECM info copied down.

I made this thread in an attempt to offer an alternative solution to those who know how to use the search function.

Hopefully I find an ECM in Louisville

 

Don't take me wrong: the $250 I quoted above is the upper limit, at least IMHO. If your dealer is a decent merchant it may cost you $100 or even less. Talk to him and find out.

 

Talk to the local locksmiths in your area. They can program the keys and they make house calls. Check with several locksmiths, you'll probably get different prices. And remember, with a dealer, you also have the expense of towing the car to the dealer.

 

Just a quick update:

Still have not been to the junkyard to search for an ECM; however, Nissan told me $200 to program keys. After doing some smooth talking I was able to get them down to $89

 

Did you check the classifieds here? There are so many cars being parted out, there's gotta be an ECM in there somewhere. Maybe not local, but with good people and cheap shipping....

 

Last Friday I went to Louisville and pulled an ECM and the from an '01 I30. Numbers matched the one on my Maxima. Fortunately, TWO keys were sitting in the front seat! so I snagged them and the RFID receiver (?) around the ignition switch.

Took me about three hours to replace the IACV on Saturday and swap the new electronics in. Swapped the I30 keys' chips for my own and she started right up. No idle relearn needed.

$120 (IAC) + $40 (ECM) ...

$160 >>>> $3000

I am a happy camper