Burnt ECU(Electronic control unit)

[tomasnet]

Dear members
I am seeking your kind advise to get a solution on my car, Rover 214Si (1997).
I have a problem on ECU(Electronic control unit) under the dash.
The part of its element was burnt using wrong (higher) Fuse (F15 in passenger's fuse box) to force Backside Wiper.
It caused some mul-functions.
- Central locking does not working (manually or with Key Fob).
- Maintaining engine running after good engine-start
I have to replace ECU but I have difficulty to get a part in outside of UK.
Here are my questions.
1. Can I change ECU only? or Should I change ECU + Fob?
2. From Where can I buy the parts around London or Liverpool?

It would be highly appreciated if you give me any hint.
Good day!

[Roverlike]

Can we get some more information what happend?

How do you know that ECU is burnt?

What is the ECU we are talking about - one from engine bay or one uder dash?

From your post I understood that you have Engine management light come on and your central locking is not working, am I right?

Can you start your car and drive it or not?

[Kelaroost]

If you put a wanted ad up in the 'wanted' section or look through the 'for sale' I'm sure somebody may be able to help you, there's always cars being broken on here.
The parts you will need is ecu, 5as and fobs.
All of these must be matching otherwise you will need to get them aligned, I'm sure this would be the harder option for you if you struggle to find parts locally.

[tomasnet]

Originally Posted by Roverlike

Can we get some more information what happend?

How do you know that ECU is burnt?

What is the ECU we are talking about - one from engine bay or one uder dash?

From your post I understood that you have Engine management light come on and your central locking is not working, am I right?

Can you start your car and drive it or not?

Thanks for your interest.
I found the ECU (behind Fuse box) under dashboard and opend it. A black electronic element was burnt.
Engine management light come on and I can disarm with Key Fob to light off. But your central locking is not working.
However, I can start the engine but immediately after 2 sencond engine stops. So, I cannot drive.

[tomasnet]

Originally Posted by Kelaroost

If you put a wanted ad up in the 'wanted' section or look through the 'for sale' I'm sure somebody may be able to help you, there's always cars being broken on here.
The parts you will need is ecu, 5as and fobs.
All of these must be matching otherwise you will need to get them aligned, I'm sure this would be the harder option for you if you struggle to find parts locally.

Thanks a lot. Your idea is brilliant.
I am in Geneva and its very difficult find a piece locally.
So, I joined yesterday to get a help but I am totally a beginner in this place.
Could you kindly give me more information where I can put this 'wanted' or see 'for sale' please?

[Roverlike]

Under dashboard is located your alarm ECU unit 5AS. This unit suffered circuit shortage, and I think the first thing to sort would be to find out what is the cause of this.

My assumtion is that this sortage was caused by broken/split wires in your tailgate wiring loom.

In the following post you can find guide how to make inspection of mentioned loom. But, IT WOULD BE WISE to DISCONNECT YOUR CAR BATTERY to avoid further damage.

Here is the link to guide: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=467219

Here is also link how to repair this problem if this is the cause of your problem: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=388693

When we sortted this problem we can go step further. In case you did not sorted out initial problem, you can burn out new set of ECUs.

As stated above, you would need set of ECU (engine ECU), 5AS alarm unit you find burnt and fobs that accompany this package. For this you will need to seek for matching engine eCU, and you need part number from the ECU (full MKC number I suppose).

[DarkCloud]

Originally Posted by tomasnet

Thanks for your interest.
I found the ECU (behind Fuse box) under dashboard and opend it. A black electronic element was burnt.
Engine management light come on and I can disarm with Key Fob to light off. But your central locking is not working.
However, I can start the engine but immediately after 2 sencond engine stops. So, I cannot drive.

That's the 5AS (security) unit.
One possible explanation for the engine is cutting out is that somehow the 5AS unit is not working/communicating correctly with the main ECU (which is located under the bonnet).

You have several solutions:

- Find somebody who is good with electronics and ask him to have a look at the 5AS unit. The faults may be reparable.

or

- Buy a 5AS unit on the ebay.co.uk, then program your key fobs to it and code the main ECU to the new unit. For that, you have also several options:
o Find a ex-ROVER dealer who still has the T4 diagnostic equipment
o Sent your ECU, 5AS unit and key fobs to Technozen (here on this forum, ask him, very nice guy) in the UK

or

- Find a Rover car breaker (there are two in France which are +/- 200 km from Geneve) where you can get a matching ECU+5AS set from a damaged car. However, it may happen that they don't remember which fob belongs to the car.

or (not the most economic solution)

- Buy a matching set: ECU, 5AS, key fobs, again from the ebay.co.uk

I would recommend to find somebody to repair the 5AS unit. Who knows, it may be just a few transistors or relays to repair.

Good luck,
Dan

[tomasnet]

Originally Posted by DarkCloud

That's the 5AS (security) unit.
One possible explanation for the engine is cutting out is that somehow the 5AS unit is not working/communicating correctly with the main ECU (which is located under the bonnet).

You have several solutions:

- Find somebody who is good with electronics and ask him to have a look at the 5AS unit. The faults may be reparable.

or

- Buy a 5AS unit on the ebay.co.uk, then program your key fobs to it and code the main ECU to the new unit. For that, you have also several options:
o Find a ex-ROVER dealer who still has the T4 diagnostic equipment
o Sent your ECU, 5AS unit and key fobs to Technozen (here on this forum, ask him, very nice guy) in the UK

or

- Find a Rover car breaker (there are two in France which are +/- 200 km from Geneve) where you can get a matching ECU+5AS set from a damaged car. However, it may happen that they don't remember which fob belongs to the car.

or (not the most economic solution)

- Buy a matching set: ECU, 5AS, key fobs, again from the ebay.co.uk

I would recommend to find somebody to repair the 5AS unit. Who knows, it may be just a few transistors or relays to repair.

Good luck,
Dan

Thank you very much supporters.
Your expertise and kind suggestions make me understand my situation clearly. I already experienced how it is difficult to get/order part from a dealer here. I will try to buy a matching set (ECU, 5AS, key fobs) from ebay as you kindly suggested.
Thanks again.

[tomasnet]

Thank you very much, Roverlike.
As you mentioned, my real problem was there exactly.
I should have known before I resulted in a painful consequence.
Anyway, I fixed broken/split wires in your tailgate wiring loom.
I want to share the photo of my broken/split wires, but I don't know how to attach it here.
Thanks a lot.

[Roverlike]

If you would like to share a photo you need to open an account to photobucket or other similar picture sharing facility and paste a link to such shared picture.

[david.anthony]

Originally Posted by tomasnet

Anyway, I fixed broken/split wires in your tailgate wiring loom.
I want to share the photo of my broken/split wires, but I don't know how to attach it here.
Thanks a lot.

Follow this link-: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=32496

[Roverlike]

Originally Posted by tomasnet

Thank you very much, Roverlike.
As you mentioned, my real problem was there exactly.
I should have known before I resulted in a painful consequence.
Anyway, I fixed broken/split wires in your tailgate wiring loom.
I want to share the photo of my broken/split wires, but I don't know how to attach it here.
Thanks a lot.

I am glad you fixed original problem. Now you can concentrate how to resolve 5AS problem.
If you would like, you can take your 5AS box down and post picture if it too?

You see there is a possibility that your 5AS can be repaired, under certain circumstances, as you can se here: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthrea...ir#post4793889

[tomasnet]

Originally Posted by Roverlike

I am glad you fixed original problem. Now you can concentrate how to resolve 5AS problem.
If you would like, you can take your 5AS box down and post picture if it too?

You see there is a possibility that your 5AS can be repaired, under certain circumstances, as you can se here: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthrea...ir#post4793889

Here I want to share some photos about my problems.
Short circuit in tailgate wiring loom --> (wrong fuse) --> Burnt 5AS
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/1511...20214?h=a06fde

[david.anthony]

Originally Posted by tomasnet

Here I want to share some photos about my problems.
Short circuit in tailgate wiring loom --> (wrong fuse) --> Burnt 5AS
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/1511...20214?h=a06fde

OOOH!!! That's bad, really bad

[Roverlike]

Originally Posted by tomasnet

Here I want to share some photos about my problems.
Short circuit in tailgate wiring loom --> (wrong fuse) --> Burnt 5AS
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/1511...20214?h=a06fde

I think that black NEC part is central locking relay. Resistors and capacitors around must be examined and connections must be examined to see what is the damage.

Also you have problem of communication from your 5AS to engine ECU, as it is not giving info in proper way. This could be problem of connection, as you said that engine will start but after 2 seconds it cuts off. Am I right?

It would be worth to give unit to someone around who could try to see the damage. Do you have some electrical guy who is good with repairs?

[tomasnet]

Originally Posted by Roverlike

I think that black NEC part is central locking relay. Resistors and capacitors around must be examined and connections must be examined to see what is the damage.

Also you have problem of communication from your 5AS to engine ECU, as it is not giving info in proper way. This could be problem of connection, as you said that engine will start but after 2 seconds it cuts off. Am I right?

It would be worth to give unit to someone around who could try to see the damage. Do you have some electrical guy who is good with repairs?

Unfortunately, No one in this area.
Even if so, it may cost the same amount as the value of my Rover.
I will try what I can on the damaged board.
But, I believe that I may have to change whole set (ECU + 5AS + Key fobs) in the end.

[Roverlike]

Tomasnet I sent you PM...

[technozen]

The immobiliser code can be retrieved from your damaged 5AS, this can be programmed into a new unit... this will then work with your original engine ECU.

Your existing fobs can be coded to the new 5AS as well.

Send me a PM if you need this done.

[technozen]

Nice to have met you on Wednesday Thomas.

Despite the condition of the 5AS I was able to retrieve the immobiliser code from it and clone a replacement.

[tomasnet]

After 50year-life, there is no much things that make me touched or suprised.
However, this week I had a very exceptional exprience with some of experts or friends though this forum.
Somehow, by chance or with hugh luck, I met Technozen in Brighton area, UK.
He solved my problem on 5AS without any difficulty and his gadget (invention) raised my sincre admiration from my deep heart.
He also dignosised my ECU and Fobs and thought me the code.
His sincere help really touched me.
Today, with this new 5AS, my Rover has been revived.
With this chance, I wish all of Rover dirvers a good luch and success through this forum.
Thanks to all.