Author Topic: ECU wtf??? (Read 5546 times)

M42_Jester · « **on:** April 27, 2009, 10:00:37 PM »

One question. what would possess someone to put an ecu from a 318ti into a 318iS?
i've finally figured out why nothing has been working on my car. a previous owner has put a 318ti ECU in place of the original 318iS ECU and it's driving me crazy. I bought a chip for it, it didn't work, and now i know y!

does anyone know where i can get a 318iS ECU from?

Cheers,
Jester

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:05:48 PM »

what year

M42_Jester · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:12:49 PM »

I've got a 1995, but i don't know what year the ECU is...could be anything really...but it's an E36 for sure...

tjts1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:39:32 PM »

How do you know the ECU is causing the problem? What is the number on the 318ti ECU? How is it different?

M42_Jester · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:45:40 PM »

Quote from: tjts1;70942

How do you know the ECU is causing the problem? What is the number on the 318ti ECU? How is it different?

i checked the ECU number when i first had the problem.
the number is 0 261 203 590
and when i cross checked that number to the 318iS ECU numbers, it wasn't in there. i've done so research and found a list of E36 ECU numbers (all models) and typed in my number into a search field. it came up with the 318ti.

the chip that i purchsed is specifically designed for the E36 318iS, so it wouldn't work with a 318ti ECU. it's as simple as that. now i just need to decide whether i keep the chip, and find a 318iS ECU, or leave it as is, and get the refund from the seller.

btw, i purchased the chip from eBay...

xsjado · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2009, 09:40:58 AM »

OMG you have the dreaded 590 ecu...its an ews ecu...good luck!!!

Ivan Petrov · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2009, 08:32:39 PM »

Quote from: M42_Jester;70938

i've finally figured out why nothing has been working on my car.

What do you mean by nothing has been working? Your engine doesn`t run correctly or doesn`t run at all?

M42_Jester · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2009, 11:16:44 PM »

just the performance chip that i bought didn't work. i'd put it in, and the car wouldn't start, and i'd take it out put the old back in, and it would start fine...just a bit frustrating

I hate having the 590 ECU...god dam EWS :mad:

Ivan Petrov · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2009, 10:05:12 AM »

The last 3 digits of the ECU number are very important. If you get performance chip you must notice what ECU is made for

roundel318 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 02, 2009, 10:06:20 AM »

Someone chime in on EWS plz???
I have a spare 175 ECU w/ factory chip, it is known working / good.

eric16v · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:49:56 PM »

Yeah what is EWS and why so bad?

jazfe · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2009, 08:36:07 AM »

Jester,
I know exactly what you are going through. I had the very same problem with my car. The P.O. had installed a ti DME in my car, which is an iS. It would start, idle and it had full throttle but nothing else. I had to get the EWS DME to make it work properly. Sorry for your woes but you need the proper dme and a trip to the shop to get it aligned with the ews.

The answer to the previous post is: EWS is the drive away protection installed on 95 and later models. There's a ring around the ignition tumbler that interrogates the key every time you start the car. this sends a signal to the EWS module and allows the fuel and ignition signal to get to the DME which of course allows the car to start. The door locks are also figured in there as well somewhere.
A friends car wouldn't start if you unlocked it from the drivers door but would run just fine if you unlocked the car from the trunk or the other door.

roundel318 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2009, 11:59:13 PM »

Thanks for the EWS clarification!