Hi, i might be picking up a 2000 Seicento SX today with an apparently diagnosed coil pack failure. I understand this could be a sign of an ECU fault (thanks Ralycinq) so am considering how to go about fixing that.

Ebay seem to offer quite a few from varying models. Should i look for an exact match ie 1.1 non-sporting? should i think about codes and immobilisers.

Is there a safe way to do this with a 2nd hand ecu?

thanks for any help

James

Get the current ECU repaired. Might cost a wee bit more, but saves mucking about with keys and code boxes.

Search for the Ronnieronson thread to find where he had his done.

Cheers

SPD

Thanks i got some useful information from him.

Is there a safe way to do this 2nd hand?

what about getting an ECU and having it coded to your car, should work out cheaper?

James

No, not an easy way to do it with a second hand one as the repairers would need to know your code box etc.

Just get the ecu repaired, simple.

Cheers

SPD

But might be more costly?

jiminwatford said:

But might be more costly?

Click to expand...

Why?

Sending an ECU to either get repaired, or sending the whole system to be code matched, I think would cost about the same, even if its possible to do.

Ask the ECU doctor, they are the experts.

Cheers

SPD

If you get the car...look at where the ecu is...what type and number before you ring anybody.

As the ecu type and harware numbers are important as some of the earlier ecu's when they give this problem just need replacing with later ones, fiat dealers automatically supply them under the superceeded part no.

Again depending on type repair is not possible as they are small sealed hybrid units, alledgedly some companies say that by reprogramming then it cures this problem...but again it depends on hardware numbers..and if the problem is physical...believe me you CANNOT REPAIR THEM...components are built on a ceramic wafer!!

Majority of times garages will replace the ecu and to be safe the coil packs as well in case the pack is badly damaged and will make the new ecu fail.

Realignment of immobilizer will be automatically done once the engine is up to temperature, and after driving around for a while the mil light will go out.

The immobilizer issue will not be a problem as the new one will be virgin, the repaired one, doubtfull if at all possible, will be verginised by the repairer so it will realign itself so there is no issue with that.

I would not consider second hand unless you see the unit run before you buy, but you will have immobilizer issues and these units can be reset if you have cloning equipment, then balance cost of resetting unit with cost of new one!

Post the numbers if you have doubts...

Good luck

Well i bought it..

We tried one coil which made no difference, then the other and it runs and drives fine! It's OK but struggles a bit under load. I'm thinking about replacing the one remaining coil and trying some more leads and plugs.

here is pic of the engine bay. is this an SPI?



here is the ECU. no sticker.. the label says 'ATP' warranty void if broken.




Fingers crossed a service fixes it and the ECU doesn't need work!

oh and it was registerd 20/01/2000, if that's any use..

yes its an spi engine

Just for my information... mow much will cost a new ECU for a Seicento Sporting SPI?

can you still get brand new spi ECU's???

I really don't know.... I was just asking the prince in case (fingers crossed) mine will be gone. If you can't find any for SPI engines, what should we (the ones with SPI engines) do?

While looking into the possibilty of this needing a replcement ECU, believing it was an MPI, i came across two places which offer repairs of an ECU. http://www.peacockandpurvey.co.uk/ and http://www.the-ecu-doctor.co.uk/

In this thread https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento/167697-arrgh-chronic-ecu-failure-help.html a faulty ECU was repaired for £130

Worth ringing them to ask their thoughts, i guess.

SPi ECUs rarely fail.

The McCritch chip option is the best if the immobiliser plays up.

Cheers

SPD

I guess i'm lucky this has got the SPI. i fully expected an expensive ECU fix.

IF i fix this with leads/plug and a coil it should be back on the road for £50 (including MOT)

Just to check, is there anything else i could look at which could give a slight missing under load?

Thanks

Crank sensor breaking down is another slight possibility, along with a dodgy connector on any of the sensors, particularly temp, lambda and MAP

Cheers

SPD