Hi all,

I recently ran across some ECU issues, and had to have it replaced. I went the cheaper route and bought a used one from Ebay, but the mechanic and the Jag dealership is telling me that you cannot reprogram a used ECU. Is this true?

Thank you!
Bryan

 

You are in the X-Type Forum, I hope you are referring to an X-Type. If so, what he said is technically true. When the ECM is originally programmed, it programs for the correct options, specs, etc. It also burns the VIN number into the module. Any attempt to program it again as a new module will make it a brick.
However, a used ECM from an identically equipped car, that has an equivalent part number can be made to operate another car. It just needs to be installed and have the security immobilization reset to allow cranking and starting.

The caveat here is, if you are in a state the has a mandatory vehicle inspection, the car will likely fail because the VIN numbers do not match.

Cheers,

 

Thank you for your response!

Yes, it is a 2003 X-Type that I am refering to. The part number to the ECU that i bought matches exactly to the old one, and was removed from the same year and model of car.

Everything that I read said before purchasing said that it would work, and is a cheaper alternative. Especially since the computer outlasts the life of the car in most cases.

I will talk to the mechanic again.

Much appreciated,
Bryan

 

bzayn, it should work. Yes, the immobilization needs to be reset, but it will work. Other members have replaced their ECU's with no issues after being reset properly.

 

How do you go about resetting it?

 

rjcl, you essentially need a dealership level computer to go into the ECU and to tell the system that everything is good and to accept the key numbers. This is not something that 99% of the over the counter code readers will be able to do. In short, unless you spent $1000 on a code reader, it will not have this function.

 

They (Jaguar) have you then don't they. If they know you changed the ECU they probably won't do it then.