ecstasy

My ECU recently went bad in my '97 A8Q 4.2. It turns out that the box it was in cracked and allowed water to get in, enough that it was completely saturated and corroded. The dealer wanted $2250 plus labor to fix it, so in an eager attempt to save money I ordered one from ecudirect.com for $1750, probably still too much but I am in a hurry to get my car working again. So it should be here soon and I need advice on replacing it. The salesman explained I need to shut off everything that would use electricity includding the air, the radio, all lights, and then disconnect the battery. Remove and replace the ECU. Reconnect the battery and get in the car. Making sure that all the doors are shut, and careful not to depress the brake or gas, start the car. Let it idle for up to 5 minutes while the computer reprograms itself. Then I'm clear to use the electronics. So is this accurate? Should I also shut off the dash display? Any special tools required to replace the ECU? This would be the first time I have even tried to access the ECU as I had the dealer do the rest of the work (behind closed doors) includding getting the Bosch part number off of the bottom of the ECU so I could order it.
Audi Part Number: 4D0 997 557 X (x stands for reconditioned according to ecudirct)
Bosch Part Number: 0261204317

Any/all help appreciated! TIA!

Mikalai

I did unplug old one and plug new. Then electrician with VAG-1551 reset the system. No any special precaution was made.
May be I was wrong.

PaulW

I have a spare ECU.....maybe I could either sell it to you or lend it to you until you can find one from a car that is parted out.

If interested, email me at paul@audipages.com

JimR

Don't wear leather-soled shoes and rub them vigorously on your carpet before handling the ECU.

Seriously, it would be prudent to take basic static discharge precautions, much like if you were putting a new board in your computer. Make sure you're grounded out before handling the ECU and connecting it up.