QuestionQUESTION: Ever heard of these having to replace an ECM...?
Local dealer diagnosed ny 2000 v70 2.4l non-turbo as having a bad ecm, after they 1st thought it was knock sensor, which they replaced. Didn't solve acceleration issue....took it back then they say I need a new ecm .....these Denso ECM's are$1200.00 plus software load charges. My local volvo dealer says I have to buy new. They claim we can't wipe & reload a used one. Dealer 3hrs away said they can erase clean & reload new software to a used ecm that is compatiple.
Can the Volvo dealer wipe out info from a junk yard one & reload really or not? I bought one & it has identical matching numbers....can it be swapped,will it work?
Is it worth a six hour round trip? or are they wrong?
Each day I started, it had so little power for the 1st minute or two , then seemed to kick in a bit. No check engine light......but a code was pending;p0327....knock sensor low voltage .
Thought maybe timing was off, it seemed to lack a little power up hill & such. Since it was due for timing belt...had a mechanic friend check existing timing marks, which he found to be fine. Had the new one put on anyway....of course it didn't help with the 1st start up of day or acceleration/power deficency.
I thought initially it seemed a bit slow the day I bought it, but compared to turbo models I driven....I assumed it was because this one was non-turbo. Some records in the car from dealer & others, said @ 87k...customer experienced exactly what I feel....along with poor fuel economy 14mpg. Dealer updated the etm/ecm software per recall campaign, changed the knock sensor & speed sensor. At 93k customer had brought it back in for same issue...dealer put down fault tracing determines it needs an ecm because it was faulty.
For curiosity i unplugged the knock sensor connector..........wow what a difference, power in the morning , up hill & all day. Guess when it was plugged in , it was retarding my timing all the time. Will I harm my engine with knock sensor unplugged??? code pending now is p0328--volt high now with it unplugged, still no check engine light.
I've done so much research online, and seemed to have found 2 references of folks implying 99-00 2.4l non-turbo 70 series Denso engine mngt had hardware problems and all ecm's are bad. I can't seem to find anything other than 2 folks talking about it. ..a few yrs back on the net. Does anyone know if maybe it was like some solder joints needing resoldirng or something like that ??? Does anyone repair what this prob is on an ecm or am i screwed out of 1500.00 for new one and coding from dealer?
help.....help...I don't know what to do.
ANSWER: Rebe,
Most times the original control units can have the downloads installed and the old information eraced. Unless there is damage to the circuit board or some other damage, a down load should work. I think that only Volvo corp repairs the control units at this time. I can see no harm other than the check engine light being on if the knock sensor was unplugged.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So my local Volvo dealer should be able to use the used ECM that I bought from the junk yard? Is it true they can erase & reload new software to match my car on a unit from another car, to match my cars specific/keys/stuff? How can I force this issue with them .....locally? Is the re a service bulliten I can refer to ? Ever hear of a prolem with ecm's from 2.4l non-turbo 70 series?
thnx
AnswerRebe,
If the control unit is the same part number and not damaged in any way, the dealer should be able to "Marry" that control unit to your car install the latest software and be done. However the dealer and other shops do not like using used or parts bought elsewhere as they feel cheated on selling a part and will not warranty a used control unit. So is all that trouble worth the savings? It is your call.
