On average, you can expect the parts cost to be anywhere from $400 to $1,400 while the labor costs are roughly from $100 to $200 for reprogramming and installation. You may be able to save some money on a refurbished ECU but that usually comes with a bit of risk.
Can you replace car computer?
You can replace your damaged or broken component with a reprogrammed and re-flashed engine computer. This is what Car Computer Exchange has done for nearly a decade. The advantage to replacing your car's ECU with a reprogrammed unit is twofold. First off, you will save big on costs.
How much does it cost to fix a computer in a car?
Labor will run an hour or two because of the reprogram that needs to happen once the new computer is installed, but the replacement itself is pretty straightforward. All-in-all, the total cost of replacement should be an average of around $1,000, but can be as high as $2,000 for more premium vehicles.
What happens when car computer goes bad?
A bad ECM may lead to a vehicle that won't or is difficult to start. If the ECM fails completely, it will leave the vehicle without engine management control, and will not start or run as a result. The engine may still crank, but it will not be able to start without the vital inputs from the computer.Jan 7, 2016
Can you swap PCM from one car to another?
Re: Can you swap pcm's from one vehicle to another? Yes you can switch them around all you want as long as it is from the same year and the part number is the same (the 2 letters at the end dont matter). They are NOT vin specific."
Can you just replace an ECU?
You totally can install the same model ECU into another car with the same model. However, if the car has an immobilizer, the car will not start until you program the immobilizer to match the VIN on the ECU.
What are the symptoms of a bad ECU on a car?
- Check Engine Light stays on after resetting.
- Car was jump started on reverse polarity.
- Engine turning off for no reason.
- Water Damage or Fire Damage on the ECU.
- Apparent loss of spark.
- Apparent loss of injection pulse or fuel pump.
- Intermittent starting problems.
- Overheating ECU.
Can you put a used PCM in a car?
Most PCM's I know of do not let you reprogram them to a different vehicle VIN number to prevent theft problems. For some years, some manufacturers allowed reprogramming so you would need to have the dealer advise you if this particular vehicle and PCM can be reprogrammed to another vehicle.Oct 6, 2016
Are PCM interchangeable?
Even different versions of the same model can have different transmission ratios, meaning that it's extremely important to make sure your PCM replacement is right for your vehicle. Some people claim to be able to reprogram your PCM for the track, at a fraction of the cost of buying a replacement.
somewhere around $100–200 depending on which shop is flashing your computer. its one of those things that is fairly easy to do, it just requires a lot of expensive equipment and costly subscriptions. so typically a shop will charge an hour of labor, perhaps a flashing surcharge, and the typical taxes and fees.
How much does it cost to fix ECU?
ECU repairs can be very expensive. The part alone can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Fortunately, an ECU can be repaired or reprogrammed in many cases—thus preventing the need to actually replace an ECU.
Does a replacement PCM need to be programmed?
The PCM uses software to control the systems in the vehicle. But if you purchased a used PCM as a replacement (usually from a vehicle that was totaled in an accident), you will need to have it reprogrammed for it to be able to work with your vehicle.Dec 3, 2021
How much does a dealer charge to flash a PCM?
Prices could range from $80 to $150, depending on the service location you choose. What is this? The process takes around about half an hour, but keep in mind that most auto-electricians charge you for at least one hour of work.Dec 3, 2021
How much does it cost to fix an ECM?
The cost for the new ECM will typically be around $800, with labor around $100, bringing the average total expense for an ECM replacement to approximately $900 before taxes and fees. This can increase depending on the shop you go to or the type of car you, running as high as $2,000.
Does a used ECU need to be reprogrammed?
A used ECU would have to be programmed to your vehicle, depending on make and model it can be as simple as using a diagnostic tool to program it or a lot of times it can involve swapping the contents of the internal memory from the old ECU to the new one which isn't a job for the average garage.
Does the ECU have to match the engine?
In general, yes. All ECUs will need to have software intended to run the engine it is connected to. In addition, many newer cars (approximately 2008 or newer) use a CAN bus system where each component (like the ECM, BCM, PCM, etc) all need to be programmed to the VIN number of the car to work properly.
Can I use a junkyard PCM?
The short answer in my experience is: no, you can not plug a junkyard PCM in without flashing it to your VIN.Dec 7, 2009
Do you have to reflash a PCM?
Reflashing must be done in the car. If you replace a failed GM PCM with an unprogrammed service unit, a program must be written into the PCM before the car will run, but the PCM must be installed in the car to load the program. If you own flashing equipment, it's no problem.
How much does an ECU reset cost?
You should expect to pay between $150 and $300 at a local repair shop or service center just to have the ECU inspected and tested. In many cases, the faulty ECU can be repaired or reprogrammed, and this type of repair will usually run between $300 to $750, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.