Vauxhall Astra ECU Busted!!

paragp

I have just been informed by my local garage that the ECU module in my Astra is not working and needs to be replaced. They say this part is a dealer only part and can cost upto £800, and then it needs to be reprogrammed + labour costs.

Is this correct? Is there anyway I can get the car fixed for any cheaper??

hewhoisnotintheknow

can you not get another ecu from ebay as long as its the same one, i guess you would need the keys reprogramming or get the transponder from the donor car donating the ecu?

Dont know much about vauxhall electrics

AdrianHi

Does the car start and run at all?

I don't know which Astra and then which Astra engine you have but this might help identify the ECU you have, which is not Astra or even Vauxhall specific:
http://www.e-maps.co.uk/products/Vauxhall/Astra+H/
http://www.e-maps.co.uk/products/Vauxhall/Astra+G/
It will need programming for your specific car and engine though.

Sometimes, if a car has ever been "re-mapped" (performance tuned) diagnostic equipment can just decide the ECU is bust and needs replacing, I can recall one story on a car forum where this was the case. A long shot, but you could try e-maps or similar for a more detailed analysis, I have know tuning specialists to diagnose and sometimes fix performance and running problems which even the main dealers cannot find.
Have you owned the car from new?
Is it possible it has been "tuned" (re-mapped) by a previous owner?

kitchpoo

To reprogramme keys all you will need is somewhere with TechII capabilities, which doesnt have to be a main dealer. Some mobile electrical mechanics can do that part.

As said, a used ECU from a scrap yard or ebay, try sniffydog or some other online part searching facilities once you have identified the correct ecu

anewman

I feel it's important to point out that whatever may have killed the ECU in the first place should be sorted before buying another, plugging it in and killing that one too. It could be that the voltage regulator on the alternator has gone and has blown the ECU.

paragp

all thank you for your replies..
i have not owned the car rom new so I cannot say if it has been performance tuned, however I did buy the car from a person on the motability scheme so i doubt if they would have had it tuned..
the car is a VAUXHALL ASTRA HATCHBACK 1.6i Club 5dr Auto (1998 - 2004 Model) Automatic 1598cc, which does not seem to match up to the e-map links in the earlier posts..

there was a faulty relay , which I am guessing is what caused the ECU to blow in the first place, this has been replaced now,

the symptoms are sometimes the car will just not start and when it does start it seems to just die when driving...

Tigsteroonie

I cannot help with the ECU fault but can I recommend that you get ALL keys re-programmed by the guy fitting the ECU at the time?

I had to have a new ECU for my Vectra (thankfully under warranty) but the dealer only had one key at the time, so I am left with a spare key that will open the doors but not start the engine. Attempts to obtain the appropriate codes from the new ECU to enable another garage with the TechII equipment to reprogramme my second key have failed miserably.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You do not need to purchase an ECU. ECUs can be easily repaired for considerably less than a new one. Its just a circuit.

http://www.bluehawkelectronics.co.uk/

paragp

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You do not need to purchase an ECU. ECUs can be easily repaired for considerably less than a new one. Its just a circuit.

http://www.bluehawkelectronics.co.uk/

do you know how much they charge for a repair?
cannot see anything on their website.. maybe not looking in the right place..

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

It took me 3 seconds to click the contact button, where one finds a telephone number.

malcgti

paragp wrote: »

I have just been informed by my local garage that the ECU module in my Astra is not working and needs to be replaced. They say this part is a dealer only part and can cost upto £800, and then it needs to be reprogrammed + labour costs.

Is this correct? Is there anyway I can get the car fixed for any cheaper??

Hello is your astra 1.6 16v i had the same problem and got it sorted for £300 mail me and ill put you in contact with who i got my ecu off.
[EMAIL="malcolmvr6123@aol.com"]malcolmvr6123@aol.com[/EMAIL]