Hi all,
So my car (Fiat Punto 1.4 Active Sport 2006) broke down last week and had to get it towed to the mechanics. They say the ECU is dead because they can't read any error codes/faults. They have priced a new ECU at £385, but I can't afford that. I have seen a few on the likes of eBay for around £150.

So Q1 is: Is it safe enough to get a second hand ECU in regards to it working with the car?

Q2: Do I require to get the ECU (re)mapped after installing and is it costly/worth it?

Q3: I am a student so funds are tight, would it be better to just cut my losses and sell the car on?

Thanks for your replies in advance!

Skromak said:

Hi all,
So my car (Fiat Punto 1.4 Active Sport 2006) broke down last week and had to get it towed to the mechanics. They say the ECU is dead because they can't read any error codes/faults. They have priced a new ECU at £385, but I can't afford that. I have seen a few on the likes of eBay for around £150.

So Q1 is: Is it safe enough to get a second hand ECU in regards to it working with the car?

Q2: Do I require to get the ECU (re)mapped after installing and is it costly/worth it?

Q3: I am a student so funds are tight, would it be better to just cut my losses and sell the car on?

Thanks for your replies in advance!

Click to expand...

If you were replacing the ECU with a used one, you will need the keys and locks to go with it, along with the BCM so they are ready to go when plugged in, and require no reprogramming. It will however, require a proxy alignment once fitted. Have a look here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...1313&_nkw=grande+punto+1.4+ecu+locks&_sacat=0

However, it may be worth a second opinion, maybe get it to another garage to check it incase the first garage is giving a mis-diagnosis.

In all the years ive modded on here and before from the birth of the GP i have NEVER seen a Dead GP ECU confirmed on here


If they cant read the code i'd question their code reading equipment as i had issues reading my 1.2 2006 GP with a RAC code reader... with the Relevant ELM code reader and MES /FES software

it connected straight away....

I would get a second opinion.

what area are you in? there might be a member local with a laptop and the software and leads

If you were replacing the ECU with a used one, you will need the keys and locks to go with it, along with the BCM so they are ready to go when plugged in, and require no reprogramming. It will however, require a proxy alignment once fitted.

However, it may be worth a second opinion, maybe get it to another garage to check it incase the first garage is giving a mis-diagnosis.

Click to expand...

Yeah I'm worried about the cost of changing the locks as I hear its quite a big job.
Just out of interest, how specific does a replacement ECU have to be? Could I grab one from a 1.4 but not the sport model?

I think maybe I should get a second opinion after hearing from you guys !

In all the years ive modded on here and before from the birth of the GP i have NEVER seen a Dead GP ECU confirmed on here


If they cant read the code i'd question their code reading equipment as i had issues reading my 1.2 2006 GP with a RAC code reader... with the Relevant ELM code reader and MES /FES software

it connected straight away....

I would get a second opinion.

what area are you in? there might be a member local with a laptop and the software and leads

Click to expand...

Well if you have never seen a dead ECU on here then it's probably quite likely that they have misdiagnosed it.

I am in Northern Ireland, if there was someone like that able to help it would be a very helpful!

Thanks for the replies, again.

CHECK THAT THE ECU HAS POWER AND GROUND!!!!!!!!

I've recently diagnosed a GP 1.4 with similar poblems .. not starting only lights on dash.. not able to connect to ecu.

After checking a lot off connections, i checked the voltage between the battery negative and the case of the ECU => got 12v ... THAT means a bad ground!!

So after checking the ground ..seemed on cleaned the ends... still no go... added a new cable between the gearbox and the negative... OK got connection, car started.. etc.. all good.

Had another look at the ground cable.. it was corroded to the point that it broke off inside the plastic cover..

Skromak said:

Yeah I'm worried about the cost of changing the locks as I hear its quite a big job.
Just out of interest, how specific does a replacement ECU have to be? Could I grab one from a 1.4 but not the sport model?

I think maybe I should get a second opinion after hearing from you guys !

Well if you have never seen a dead ECU on here then it's probably quite likely that they have misdiagnosed it.

I am in Northern Ireland, if there was someone like that able to help it would be a very helpful!

Thanks for the replies, again.

Click to expand...

Hi,and welcome,

aurick86 has mentioned the main earth cable from battery,
look in the GP section FAQ's, https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/318839-electrical-gremlin-thread.html
and GUIDES , there are lots of informative posts in there,

IF it's still playing-up,
consider getting over the the NI Italian car club.. somebody will have the correct KIT Wee Smurf is an active member I believe,

Charlie

aurick86 said:

CHECK THAT THE ECU HAS POWER AND GROUND!!!!!!!!

I've recently diagnosed a GP 1.4 with similar poblems .. not starting only lights on dash.. not able to connect to ecu.

After checking a lot off connections, i checked the voltage between the battery negative and the case of the ECU => got 12v ... THAT means a bad ground!!

So after checking the ground ..seemed on cleaned the ends... still no go... added a new cable between the gearbox and the negative... OK got connection, car started.. etc.. all good.

Had another look at the ground cable.. it was corroded to the point that it broke off inside the plastic cover..

Click to expand...

Not being able to connect is not enough to condem the ECU. A bad connection is more likey. A non-compatible reader is also possible, unless it was a Fiat main dealer or specialist this is possible.
Robert G8RPI.

Where in Northern Ireland are you? I can recommend someone in the Lisburn area with the proper reading equipment.

Skromak

Sorry all, have been busy. Really appreciate the responses!

Where in Northern Ireland are you? I can recommend someone in the Lisburn area with the proper reading equipment.

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I live in Belfast centre, so Lisburn is pretty close. That would be very helpful indeed!

I think im going over to mechanics to have a look at it within the next few days, will check for loose/faulty connections etc,

Thanks again, I will update you all soon

Can I ask where your car is at the minute? I just read that again and you say it was towed to a mechanic?

Probably a bit nearer for you than Lisburn if you'll need to get it towed again would be Eurofix Car Repairs, Stewarts Mill, 39, Upper Dunmurry Lane, Dunmurry, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 0PT Tel: 028 9002 4640.

They should have the correct equipment to read any fault codes. A few people I know have used them and were pretty impressed with them. I haven't personally used them myself though. I believe they are Fiat / Alfa specialists. Give them a ring and talk to them first though as I believe they're a pretty busy garage but I know also that they don't have a big load of space. If you know Dunmurry, their location is easy enough to get to. Heading out of Belfast direction, there's a crossroads in the centre of Dunmurry just after the police station / Tesco, turn right there and head under the railway bridge (pretty low arch) and it's on the right in the big stone building on the corner.

Had a fried ECU in a 1.3 GP after a local garage changed the battery incorrectly.

Bought a new ECU off Ebay. Connected it all up however the EML kept flashing.

Used a free program available online which I connected to the car to reprogram the Injectors.

Previous thread here >> https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/293481-new-ecu-cant-program-injectors.html

Dave UK said:

Had a fried ECU in a 1.3 GP after a local garage changed the battery incorrectly.

Bought a new ECU off Ebay. Connected it all up however the EML kept flashing.

Used a free program available online which I connected to the car to reprogram the Injectors.

Previous thread here >> https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/293481-new-ecu-cant-program-injectors.html

Click to expand...

post #3 , talked about the same free software,
Was FES - now MES,

Charlie

Good news! I took all of your advice and put the mechanics on hold. My father and I just did a quick run over most of the visible electrical components around the engine. Low and behold the grounding cable for the battery had completely sheared off the chassis. So we were able to get that fixed for next to nothing (50p) as opposed to trusting the mechanic and buying a new ECU etc. for at least £385 + labour. I guess the mechanics who diagnosed it weren't thorough enough due to them being inundated with other cars.

The only thing now is the steering wheel light is showing...

Thanks all for the advice, and I'm sure I'll be back at some point in the future!

Skromak
Good to hear!
I expect my handwritten thank you note is on it's way, already in the post.

Skromak said:

Good news! I took all of your advice and put the mechanics on hold. My father and I just did a quick run over most of the visible electrical components around the engine. Low and behold the grounding cable for the battery had completely sheared off the chassis. So we were able to get that fixed for next to nothing (50p) as opposed to trusting the mechanic and buying a new ECU etc. for at least £385 + labour. I guess the mechanics who diagnosed it weren't thorough enough due to them being inundated with other cars.

The only thing now is the steering wheel light is showing...

Thanks all for the advice, and I'm sure I'll be back at some point in the future!

Click to expand...

Quiet possibly the cable you replaced it with is not big enough or still has high resistance at the crimps i would start with that cable and a good charge of the battery

glad to be able to help you owe us a beer

Round of beers on me lads!

Fingers crossed for the MOT on the 11th...:worship: