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25 Posts
A few months back my cherry wagon started popping codes. I replaced front and back O2 sensors and all was well for a while. When the same codes [as well as others] started popping. I took it to my mechanic and he kept it for a few days running it and clearing codes. He advised me to take it to the dealer. The dealer gave me a tongue lashing about using aftermarket parts, replaced the O2 sensors and gave me a $1300 bill. By the time I got home the CEL was on and you guessed it - same codes. Back to the dealer for two weeks [fortunately my 96 Jetta is bulletproof pushing 200K!]. Finally they called me stating that the ECU was shot. I said OK how much? Their answer: We can't fix it. The reason: VW no longer makes the part. I'm going to skip the conversation that followed because it was, shall we say, unpleasant - they charged me an additional $150 to correct their original misdiagnosis. I hopped on line hoping someone had a unit in stock. I found two but they turned out to be phantoms - item never removed from online catalog. I DID find a new matching one in China for $100 so I bought it. Dealer won't install it.
As I see it I have 3 options:
1. Replace the ECU with the new part from China
2. Replace the ECU with a used part - I found LOTS of those with the correct P/N
3. Send the original ECU out to one of the places that repair them
**I have the Ross VCDS and I was able to retrieve the immobilizer code [I think it's stored in the cluster on this version] and I'm pretty sure I have the radio code [I found a piece of paper taped to the spare tire well].
I'd be interested in thoughts concerning a decision on my options. I'm also interested in a referral for one of the repair companies as many of them [all?] have dismal reviews.
And one more question: can I pull the thing without disconnecting the battery? I've seen contradictory advice on this.
Any other pitfalls of which I need to be aware?
THANKS!!
As I see it I have 3 options:
1. Replace the ECU with the new part from China
2. Replace the ECU with a used part - I found LOTS of those with the correct P/N
3. Send the original ECU out to one of the places that repair them
**I have the Ross VCDS and I was able to retrieve the immobilizer code [I think it's stored in the cluster on this version] and I'm pretty sure I have the radio code [I found a piece of paper taped to the spare tire well].
I'd be interested in thoughts concerning a decision on my options. I'm also interested in a referral for one of the repair companies as many of them [all?] have dismal reviews.
And one more question: can I pull the thing without disconnecting the battery? I've seen contradictory advice on this.
Any other pitfalls of which I need to be aware?
THANKS!!