ECU Security Feature on 2001s?
03-06-2001, 08:51 AM
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ECU Security Feature on 2001s?
I've been talking to Dynospot in Mountain View, CA (very helpful - answering all my questions before I even have my car!!) and they tell me that some of the newer cars have some sort of security feature on the ECU that only the dealer can override/change. Sounds like this would prevent swapping to a spare after chipping the original. Anyone have info or experience?
03-06-2001, 08:58 AM
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I don't think so...
A friend of mine just APR'd his 2001 with a spare ECU with no problems. As long as the spare's part# corresponds to original ECU's part#, then you're OK. There has been some minor changes within model years but they all correspond to specific build dates and thus part#'s.
In the past, there was rumor that the 2001's have special serial number specific ECU to correspond to only that car and that an immobilizer feature was tied into it somehow but AFAIK, all 2001's can be swappable.
In the past, there was rumor that the 2001's have special serial number specific ECU to correspond to only that car and that an immobilizer feature was tied into it somehow but AFAIK, all 2001's can be swappable.
03-06-2001, 09:17 AM
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Re: If i get a GIAC do i need a spare ECU, or just a spare chip is good enough?
Don't know, but I think putting the chip back on for maintenance visits would be excessively costly. I think it's soldered on the board.
03-06-2001, 09:58 AM
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With the "stock chip" option, you can simply insert the stock chip module on the ECU and off....
....you go to the dealer with a "stock" ECU.
Wetterauer also offers this option.
Wetterauer also offers this option.
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03-06-2001, 10:19 AM
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Yes, a socket is installed onto the ECU.....
....into this socket you can install either the "performance" chip or a "stock" chip which would revert your engine back to the stock horsepower level.
Wetterauer included this "stock" chip for free, while I believe it is a $50 option with Garrett.
Wetterauer included this "stock" chip for free, while I believe it is a $50 option with Garrett.
03-06-2001, 10:24 AM
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That's What I Thought
I'm paranoid - even though my local dealer is supposedly 'chip-friendly', the sales guy eyed me suspiciously when I feebly mentioned that I'd heard you can upgrade the cars w/aftermarket chips. If I do it, I'm going for a whole ECU just to be safe.
03-06-2001, 10:21 PM
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Yes I was told this as well , it is a double code for fault codes...
so basically it is impossible to clear the fault codes , therefore the dealer can see that a ecu has been swapped out for e.g. on 2001's
I was told this by a local tuner , who has extremely good knowledge of this .
I was told this by a local tuner , who has extremely good knowledge of this .
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