new ECU unit for Citroen C3??

fifib

looking for advice/second opinion on problem i have with my car.
i have a citroen c3 automatic which broke down on me 3 weeks ago. had to get it towed to the garage where they havent been able to start it since. it appears its an electrical problem and a part was got for the computer (€300) that they identified as being faulty. sorry but i dont know the name of the part.
anyways last friday i rang to see was car fixed and receptionist said it would be that evening but when i called for the car they hadnt got it ready. it appears they couldnt code the new part to the ECU? and are now saying i need a new ECU unit which will cost €900 new and they cannot find any second hand.

Has anyone heard of this sort of problem before or know if this is a common enough issue with citroens?

the garage it was brought to is relativly small and i dont think deals with much computer/electrical issues, hence he has had to get a guy in. im just wondering have they done more damage to the actual ECU by changing parts and messing about.
im 3 weeks without a car and all il have at the end is a huge bill!

fran38

Hi. i have the same type of problem. last week after turning on the ignition, my 05 citroen c3 sensodrive tiptronic wouldnt budge. it was like as if it was stuck in gear. but its automatic, so would this happen? anyway, after calling the towtruck to take it to the dealers, low and behold, it drove!! I looked like a right eejit. so i didnt take it to the dealers coz they were charging me 76euro just to put it on their computer
for the next few days, the same problem would appear so i got a local mechanic to look at it. he has this laptop with citroen ECU'S 'n stuff on it (cost 25euro). he said i need to replace the BSI Unit. cost is 300euro +labour to programme it into my car with the main dealer:eek:. silly prices!!
does anyone know how i can overcome this? is there some practical steps i can make? a second hand part is a rare animal it seems!!
thanks in advance...

Row

If the problem is with the bsi then maybe you could get your hands on an s/h engine ecu+matching bsi+keyfob then it should be matter of plugin play...But as you have said these are not so common...:(

Then again if you got a new bsi (maybe get prices up north) and get someone with lexia 3 to match it into the engine ecu then it may work out cheaper...:)
Did your mechanic check wiring etc...?

fran38

Hi. thanks for the reply. I dunno what the local fella did, all i know is he has citroen codes etc on his laptop. plugged it in to the car and he told me I need to replace the unit. I've tried up north. only one i could find was a s/h one in a breakers yard. it's off a manual, apparently that matters, mine being automatic.
so, there is this Lithuanian guy down the dock rd in limerick with citroen diagnostics. im taking the car to him on monday just to get a second opinion. sure if im gonna shell out 300 snots + whatever it'll cost to re-programme it into the car, i think ill get another opinion...

fran38

Oh yeah, ill take it to dessie kennedy in limerick as well. magician when it comes to car electrics...anyone out there with a Lexia 3 diagnostic thingy??

pearlman

HI guys don't know how to post new thread on boards so just jumping in here asking.
I have a Citroen c3 the ecu is gone water damage cant be fixed. I believe i can get a ecu pack from the scrap yard ie fuse box , ecu, imobiloiser box ,key. rang round lots of places but out of luck. except one place who want 800 euro. any advice please. cheers

Gary ITR

pearlman wrote: »

HI guys don't know how to post new thread on boards so just jumping in here asking.
I have a Citroen c3 the ecu is gone water damage cant be fixed. I believe i can get a ecu pack from the scrap yard ie fuse box , ecu, imobiloiser box ,key. rang round lots of places but out of luck. except one place who want 800 euro. any advice please. cheers

That sounds a little steep. How much for an ECU from Citroen? They'll be able to program your exsisting key/immo into it. There's a user on here called Row who is very knowledgeable with Citroen so he might be able to help

pearlman

cheers for such a quick reply. citroen want over grand. seems the ecu cost more than second hand engine. been looking for that guy who is on here Row. cant find him. new to boards. cheers

mullingar

Gary ITR wrote: »

There's a user on here called Row who is very knowledgeable with Citroen so he might be able to help

Row answered 4 posts above you. :pac:

swhyte027

Would u beleave I've a lexia 3 diagnostics.also the fault with ur car is the fuse box control module I only done one last week.sound like u need a new mechanic

pearlman

i have to get new ecu any way threw the other one out. cheers

swhyte027

Jus get a second hand one

Row

swhyte027 wrote: »

Jus get a second hand one

I'm afraid its not just a matter of fitting a s/h ecu.

cadaliac

Row wrote: »

I'm afraid its not just a matter of fitting a s/h ecu.

+1
You will need someone with the correct software (and updates) to program up the ECU to work everything on the car.
If you start messing with an ECU - you will have to pay for extra programming, unfortunately, but it is unavoidable.

swhyte027

Iv already stated that if u get a second hand one I have the lexia 3 diagnostics I no what I'm on about

500sel

swhyte027 wrote: »

Iv already stated that if u get a second hand one I have the lexia 3 diagnostics I no what I'm on about

Looks like you know as much about citroen ecu's as you do about BMW keys.
Which is f**k all.

Row

swhyte027 wrote: »

Iv already stated that if u get a second hand one I have the lexia 3 diagnostics I no what I'm on about

You will not be able to reprogram in a secondhand ecu..:rolleyes:
Only a new ecu can be programmed...I also have lexia 3 and i know it can't be done.

swhyte027

The key can be matched to the ecu.no need for bad language.

500sel

swhyte027 wrote: »

The key can be matched to the ecu.no need for bad language.

What would you suggest you would do to code the BSI to the second hand ECU???
As for the bad language, I just cant tolerate spoofers.

pearlman

HI guys hope everyone had a good xmas . ok here is the update for citroen c3. had the ecu cheked out with logic automotive.ie in rathcool Dublin.I was able to bring up the ecu. the guys there did some slight repairs just over 100 euro. They told me the ecu is fine. what i like about these guys is you can drop up the ecu with out having to bring up the whole car. The guys told me if the car dont start try the ecu relay.
put the ecu in this morning with a good battery it still won't start. Can anyone tell me where the ecu relay is if there is even an ecu relay. is there a procedure I have to follow when intalling the ecu. ?

pearlman

left the car in with autokey on nass road. the recipt says car coded and radio repair. the car is driving fine but the radio when on keeps beeping very loud, went back to autokey they said i have to go to main dealer get the code. autokey charged me 625 euro but at least the car is now on the road just have to go to main dealer get the radio code and fix the central locking so happy enough

Row

pearlman wrote: »

left the car in with autokey on nass road. the recipt says car coded and radio repair. the car is driving fine but the radio when on keeps beeping very loud, went back to autokey they said i have to go to main dealer get the code. autokey charged me 625 euro but at least the car is now on the road just have to go to main dealer get the radio code and fix the central locking so happy enough

Good to hear you got going again...You need someone with lexia 3 or equivalent diagnostic equipment to input the vin number into the radio ecu.
This is actually the radio code...:)
Did they fit a new ecu or a s/h ecu and bsi...?

pearlman

It was hard to get exact information he just told me it was the ecu and they recoded it to the car and fixed the radio. do u know much about central locking thats next job. cheers dave

pearlman

they did not menion the bsi box at all just said ecu was coded

pearlman

the radio plays ok but just a loud beep he said i need the pin number. we looked in the car manual for it . i had a focus and the radio code was written in pen on the audio part of the manual