ECU repairs? Help...!

[LHD_Kid]

Hi....
I have had some starting problems with my 3B, and have just found the likely culprit...
the ECU...
after changing the various sensors and checking the wiring I finally borrowed a known good unmolested standard 3B ECU and hey presto, starts perfectly...
My own ECU has a Mihnea chipset in it, but (I think) was ok for a while, although has always been a little dodgy on cold startup...
is there any way of diagnosing an ECU problem, or can it be fixed...?
Paul (S2central.net) is this something you can fix?????
Any help grateully received, I need to sort this out as I will need to return the ECU to the owner fairly soon, but I can keep it if I have to send mine anywhere....
Thanks guys
Chris

[kwlw]

..
I have had some starting problems with my 3B, and have just found the likely culprit...
the ECU...

From my expierence from ECU repairs, it's not worth it. Especially if the problem is mysterious. I mean if the problem is easy to reproduce, then ECU can probably be fixed.

If problem is type of "appears sometimes" it's better to purchase other ECU. You can put faulty one to e-bay as defective, to cover partial costs of "new" item.

20vt ecu's are quality items, and fail not often. However our cars have lived long and colourful lives with a lot of things happened to them...

Don't forget to put Mihnea chips in the new ECU.

Sau
P.S. All of the above apply only if you are 120% sure, that problem is ECU. Maybe just ECU contacts need some cleaning spray?

[LHD_Kid]

I have cleaned the contacts...... but was a good idea....
I am going to chop and change the 2 ECUs I have to make certain it is the problem...., but to be honest, it does it absolutely 100% on cold startup...
every morning the same, and after the car has been left more than approx 4 hours...
overfuels alot, splutters, but after 30 seconds runs sweet as anything...
Tried cold startup with alternate ECU with no problems whatsoever...
I am hoping that as it is a problem which always happens something can be done, I agree, I have heard bad things about repairs too, but I thought it might be worth an ask...
I know S2Central has fixed ECUs in the past, but depends on the problem, I have also been sent the name of a company to try, I will send them a mail and see what the reply is...

Chris

[Nj]

silly question - have you tried your ECU in your friend's car as well? Just to see if his car shows the same faults you describe? Might be a good double check before you look at expensive repairs or buying a new one. I contacted a guy in germany a while ago about buying a 3b ecu (thought mine was dead) and he wanted 450 euros and seemed to have more than one at the time. He knows the ecu as a Steuergerät in german. PM me if you want his email address. He was the person selling something silly like 8 red audi S2s in one ebay.de auction a few months ago.
cheers
Nj

[fritschki2]

Try here:

http://www.totsteile.ch/

They are located in Switzerland and sell all kind of used parts for our cars.

[LHD_Kid]

Thanks for the help guys.... I forgot to put an outcome at the end of this one...
By testing and cross testing various components, by process of elimination it turned out to be the fuel chip in the ECU causing problems...
All fixed now.....
Chris

[kwlw]

By testing and cross testing various components, by process of elimination it turned out to be the fuel chip in the ECU causing problems...

Nice to hear that. Was the orignal one failing, or some aftermarket one?

Sau

[LHD_Kid]

It was actually one of Mihneas chips... the chip itself must have a problem and was maybe breaking down internally, as it worked perfectly for quite a long time. The upshot is that its an easy fix, just replace the dodgy chip...!
The mapping was obviously correct from the start as there were no problems, it just got worse over time (starting 3 or 4 months ago) and only when the car was absolutely cold....
Anyway, to Mihnea, sorted me out a replacement, no worries...
Thanks
Chris