Technical ECU Problem (Sporting)

[Libertad23]

Hi

Having discovered the forum recently I finally decided to register and see if anyone can help on my problem. Any replies would be much appreciated!

I have recently got hold of a Punto Mk2 Sporting (2000) which has a few problems. The temperature gauge does not work although the warning LED is on and the fan kicks in as soon as it you start it up. The engine light is now on after driving it back to mine although initially was not. It seems to be holding coolant and there is no creamy gunge in the oil cap.

I had an auto-electrics specialist take a look and have been told that the ECU has had it.

Looking around I have not been able to find an ECU for this car anywhere as it has what seems to be an unusual Bosch ECU rather than the usual Magnet Marrellis. ([FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] The ECU has part numbers 0 261 206 981 / [/FONT]ME73H4F 002).

My questions are:

Has anyone replaced one of these on a Sporting and if so at what cost?
Is it possible to use a second-hand ECU if I have it "virginised"?
Why are the Sporting ECU's so difficult to get hold of?

Does anyone have any other ideas on the best way to sort it out?

Any assistance would be really appreciated!

Cheers

 

[bredsticz]

Why did he come to the conclusion of ECU? Sounds like a faulty temperature sensor or thermostat

Replace them and see if the engine light goes off. If she is running fine otherwise the ECU I wouldn't touch.
Remember to check the connections and wiring of the sensor if they are corroded or loose.

 

[Libertad23]

Thanks for your reply Bredsticz.

I have ordered the thermostat and am just getting hold of the temperature sensor and will give that a go first. The car managed 70 miles back home in stop-go traffic and managed motorway speeds and at all stages ran normally without any telltale symptoms of a bad ECU (or head gasket for that matter) that I have read about so hopefully I am not in for any really nasty surprises.

The electrical guy who came out had told my mechanic (who I do trust but who is not too hot on electrical side of things) that he suspected the ECU, but I am hoping to speak directly to the guy on Monday to get it "straight from the horse's mouth".

Thanks again for your advice, Bredsticz.