Question on how to take out ECU/ashtray/radio (photos) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sintox · 06-11-2008, 09:56 AM

Hello,

I'd like to have access to the wire-harness behind the ECU on my Camry V6, 1990 (see photos).

I've read that it's right behind the radio and ashtray. To have greater access, I think everything between the radio and the ashtray should be removed.

I searched the area near the radio/ashtray and found no screws. Could someone give instructions on how to remove the two, please ?

Have a great day.
Al

zppeacock · 06-11-2008, 11:36 AM

Your 90 dash is a bit different then my 90. on mine there were 2 screws above the heat/ac controlls and then the rest just snapped off.

sintox · 06-11-2008, 11:50 AM

So using a small flat screw-driver, I took off the black plastic frame surrounding the radio and the ashtray (including the little coin-money holder on the top left). I wrongly thought the bottom was attached by some screws because it didn't want to come out. But after a few minutes trying, it did.

After taking out the radio, I found a black box right behind the radio. It says Denso 077300-1481. I thought: Bingo, here's my ECU.

But when I check with a repair manual photo, the connector pin does not match. Which means this was not the ECU I was looking for. How sad ! The box I got has: white: 14 pins, blue: 18 pins. In the repair manual, there are many more pins than that.

Does anyone know where the ECU, please ?

Thanks for your replies.

sintox · 06-11-2008, 12:35 PM

There's no screw for plastic frame, here shown removed:

I left the black antenna connector connected, but the blue connector is easy to remove. Antenna connector (black) is on the left here:

white90dx · 06-11-2008, 12:35 PM

It sounds like you took the location description a bit to literally. A better description is to say the ECU is located behind the radio and below the heater core.

Just pull back the carpet in the passenger side footwell near the front center. You will see a fairly large metal box (1.5"x7"x9" or so) with a bunch of wires going to it. That's the ECU.

To get it out you will need to remove screws or bolts form both sides of the ECU (from driver's and passenger's side).

-Charlie

sintox · 06-12-2008, 12:43 PM

Hello Charlie White90DX, Thank you so much. I found it on the *floor*, to the left of the passenger's feet/ankle area, protected by a black plastic box. Ahh... I took off the radio and the heat controls for nothing. Took me a long time to take off all the screw and 3 wire harnesses. Take out then put back: total time: at least 2 hours for me. Yup, it looks simple but if you time your time, you'll see it takes longer than you think it would take (just like optical illusion, this is one of those time-illusions) Ha!