Hi guysI need to install a used engine ECU into my 97 XK8.
is it plug and play on this early model or do I have to program it in? If it has to be programmed, what's the best scan tool for the job? Iv got quite a few scanners but not a specific jaguar one.
Regards

 

Everyone appears to be avoiding you. Sending the existing ECU for repair would be the best choice, unless it's totally destroyed. I'm not sure where on your side of the world this can be done, but a google search would be a good start.

To replace the ECU would be complicated, unless you can find one from a car with matching VCAT (sticker in the boot near the spare tire). Even then, you would need the factory software IDS/SDD/WDS. There may be a shop in Malaga that can do this.

 

Another member has suggested that a matching number ECU might be plug and play. This may be true of the US market cars which did not have a key transponder chip, but the Euro versions may be different.

The common problem with the 97 ECU is leaking capacitors and you might be able to find an electronics repair shop that can replace the capacitors an repair any circuit board damage.

 

AFAIK, it's only the US-spec 97s that were not fitted with key security, so a swop of the ECM may need the immo setup as there is some dialog between the ECM and KTM.
You can confirm by looking at the key. If there's no chip (location circled) then a matching-numbers ECM should be plug 'n play:



As RJ suggests, getting the original repaired is a better route if the circuit board isn't too badly affected. (I'm assuming here that leaky caps is the problem, since it is the most likely)

There is a list of part #s here:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...6/#post1806456

...although do double check as that is for the 98. They should cost around €10 tops.

 

Yes your on the money, 4 caps leaked onto the board and basically destroyed the traces underneath all the caps that leaked. Replacing the caps wouldn't have been a problem but the trace damage is severe. The problem is that here in Spain there aren't any competent places for doing traces. Changing component's is about the limit. That's why a used ECU is the only option. I have MDI and VAS5042A interfaces and can get hold of JLR IDS and SDD but a bit worried about bricking the used ECU. I also thought about getting Ktag and reading the eeprom and writing to the used ECU but Ktag doesn't have the adapters for the Jag Denso on this model so a bit stuck.

 

You know a lot more about this than I do. I think I read that a later model AJ26 ECU could be used, but that may be incorrect. motorcarman (Bob Gauff) is probably the only member who knows what can and cannot be done. I don't think you have enough messages sent to allow you to PM him, but a moderator may be able to help.

 

I did some digging a while back comparing the 97 and 98 ECMs. They appear to be pin-for-pin compatible, but (from a 98 update document somewhere):

"
Software changes are introduced to support the revisions to the exhaust camshafts. On NAS vehicles, additional software changes are introduced to operate the leak check of the fuel tank and evaporative loss system. As a result, the 1998 ECM cannot be installed in a 1997 MY XK8
"

I wonder if it is possible to fool the Jaguar diagnostics into flashing a 98 ECM with a 97 image?


Can you post a shot of the damage to your ECM?

 

Not nice