Engine Control Units (ECUs) in older cars

[Brian Palmer]

The ECU in my 1994 Miata is 29 years old. For about $150, I can mail it in and have it checked over and repaired if needed. If no repairs are needed, the diagnostic fee is only $90, including return shipping. These things have capacitors that are known to fail with age.
This seems like reasonable money well spent.
Any thoughts?

[Brian Palmer]

Here's a pic of the car, by the way, just to be fair!297598108_10220926233657169_6754618329740486432_n.jpg

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Is there any evidence that it may be failing?

Or is this a stab in the dark.

[Brian Palmer]

It is not a sealed unit and is easily opened. I plan to do that before I send it in and see if there are any leaking capacitors. But I am not experienced with electronics.

[Gordon Bartlett]

Is there any evidence that it may be failing?

Or is this a stab in the dark.

^^ This.
If the car starts and runs well, I would have no interest in fishing for a problem.

[David W Pratt]

"Older cars" and "engine control unit" in one thought gives me a twinge.
Guess I'm even older than the cars.

[JTA]

To quote one of my earliest and least favorite bosses
"Jack, if it ain't broke don't fuck with it"
Delivered in a whiney redneck drawl...

Jack

[Todd D]

When you said "older cars" I thought this was going to be a joke post. I guess that is because I think of an older car as being something from the 40s or earlier. I just can't accept calling a 90s car older.

[George Jung]

My SIL loves tinkering with his cars - always finding 'just one more thing' that needs fixing. But I don't believe even he would have the ECU checked out 'just to be sure'!

[hawkeye54]

Brian, shortly after I purchased ( new ) my 2004 Toyota Tacoma pickup, I took it in for scheduled service - they discovered a 'bum' ECU, and ordered a replacement (from Japan) The service technician was able to place the engine in 'limp-home' mode - ( I never noticed the difference ) until the replacement part was received.




Rick

[George Jung]

interesting. didn't throw any codes?

[UCanoe_2]

Nice ride, Brian. Drive it until the wheels fall off.

[leikec]

I miss my Miatas.

Jeff C

[bluedog225]

What’s the saying, something about a 3 minute job is one broken bolt from a 3 day ordeal?

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

ACHTUNG!!!
Das Maschine is nicht fur gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy schnappen der Springwerk, blowenfusen und corkenpoppen mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fur gewerken by das Dummkopfen.

Das Rubbernecken Sightseeren keepen hands in das Pockets. Relaxen und vatchen das blinkenlights!

[stromborg]

Because we all need more Miata:

This is my '92, tucked into the lot at work (taken in the midst of one the recent pickup truck threads)


A solid little daily driver, hoping she stays that way.

[Jim Bow]

There’s hundreds of videos of pickups and SUVs rolling over in accidents.
I’ve never seen a Miata upside down.

[artif]

There’s hundreds of videos of pickups and SUVs rolling over in accidents.
I’ve never seen a Miata upside down.

That's because they're under the SUV Y

[stromborg]

I'm generally on high alert when driving anyway (years of motorcycling will do that) but now that most pickup truck beds are higher than a Miata's roof parking lots make me very nervous.

[hawkeye54]

That's because they're under the SUV Y

True that, Artif - I once came around a blind corner to find a Ford Gran Torino trying to do a nose-down panic stop - I downshifted my Fiat 850 Spyder roadster, locked up the brakes, and slid to a stop with my windshield almost against the Ford's rear bumper. The Ford's driver pulled away before I could have the driver let me use a jack to lift her car off mine - ripped both headlight buckets right off. . .

Rick

[John Meachen]

I've seen one or two posts elsewhere about the possibility of using an Arduino as the basis for an ECU.For how little they cost,it could be worth having a play.

[hawkeye54]

interesting. didn't throw any codes?

George, if you are referencing post # 10 - no codes posted / I never figured out how they identified the fault, unless it was a known 'recall item'




Rick

[ShorelineJohn]

So being a '94 it should be ODB1. If no check engine light it should be fine, but the costs you quoted are very reasonable.

[The Q]

My Landrovers 39 years old... What's an ECU?

[miketaylor]

ECU is/was the European Currency Unit - forerunner of the Euro.

I don't really understand this thread either.

Mike