My 1999 Avalon ECM needs to be replaced. The local Toyota dealer, with help from Toyota Tech Support determined my P0505 code (Idle Air Control Valve) was due to a bad ECM. (I'd already replaced the IACV.) A new ECM is $1000 plus $500 for installation and programming. I've seen used ECMs on E-Bay for $100. My car is California compliant. If I buy a used 1999 California-compliant Avalon ECM, should I be able to just swap it out? If not, can a Toyota Dealer reprogram it for me?
My 1999 Avalon ECM needs to be replaced. The local Toyota dealer, with help from Toyota Tech Support determined my P0505 code (Idle Air Control Valve) was due to a bad ECM. (I'd already replaced the IACV.) A new ECM is $1000 plus $500 for installation and programming. I've seen used ECMs on E-Bay for $100. My car is California compliant. If I buy a used 1999 California-compliant Avalon ECM, should I be able to just swap it out? If not, can a Toyota Dealer reprogram it for me?
$500! That seems like a ludicrous price for installing am engine computer. I don't think I've spent more than maybe 30 minutes on the outside changing one out (they're just behind the glovebox). As far as changing one off of ebay, you can do so, but at your own risk. You need to make sure that all the numbers on the top of your ECU match up to the one you're purchasing.
Another thing you might want to consider here is liability on the dealer's part. Say you go ahead and pay them to change the ECU, and it turns out that doesn't fix it. At that point, it's still up to them to make it right. If you go off on ebay or wherever and plunk down your own cash and it doesn't fix it, then you are on your own.
If it's worth anything, out of all the thousands of Toyotas that I've worked on over the past decade I would be able to count the # of genuinely bad ECUs on one hand. They just don't go bad. What's funny is that every singe diagnostic tree in Toyotas manuals ends with "replace ECU". So if you are dealing with a tech that may not be the most skilled at diagnosing a system, he will inevitably come to the conclusion that the computer needs to be replaced.
What QSlim says makes sense about using the dealer, and I had been told by local shop about the low failure rate of the ECM. However, the diagnosis was made after allegedly spending seven hours following fault trees and conferring with Toyota Tech Support, yet the service manager said he would not in any way guarantee that a new ECM would fix the problem!
Would the numbers on my ECM define the configuration for the purposes of reprogramming a new or used replacement ECM?
What QSlim says makes sense about using the dealer, and I had been told by local shop about the low failure rate of the ECM. However, the diagnosis was made after allegedly spending seven hours following fault trees and conferring with Toyota Tech Support, yet the service manager said he would not in any way guarantee that a new ECM would fix the problem!
Would the numbers on my ECM define the configuration for the purposes of reprogramming a new or used replacement ECM?
First, I would recommend having a conversation with the service manager. I can't imagine what kind of shop would ask a customer to spend that kind of money after spending that much time diagnosing it AND calling the tech guys without standing behind what they do. I've been in that situation before. Calls to california, the tech guys tell me to replace the ECU, I replace it, and it doesn't fix a thing. The ecu goes back in the box, and the customer doesn't pay for a pointless repair. I think that you have a very good leg to stand on with the manager. The dealer is the last stop for a car, you know? There isn't any excuse for a car not leaving the place fixed, and what the service manager is suggesting doesn't lend to any level of expertise that should come with taking your car to a dealer.
As far as the number goes, there are different computers for different times during the production cycle, so there isn't the same part # for all 99 Avalons. You need to pull the ECU and make sure the numbers are the same on the unit you replace it with. And as far as "reprogramming", there isn't any to be done. You plug it in and insert all the keys after a certain length of time for coding. I looked up the book time for "ECU replacement and reprogram" because I was shocked that they quoted you $500. It's .8 hrs of labor, not that difficult at all.
Hi,
Back in Sept, the Toyota dealer traced my problem with Idle Air System trouble code P0505 to the ECM.
I finally got the part no off the ECM and contacted "ECM To Go" about repairing it. $175 + shipping, with 1 year warranty.
I sent it to them - blown resisitor - replaced - other damage - unrepairable. They gave me alt part no's and a referral to RAP Recyclers.
I've ordered a used PCM $275 + ship, with 6 mo warranty.
Part is due by Friday.
I need advice on installation - when I first power this up, I think I'm supposed to insert my programmable keys within so many minutes and leave in for so many seconds, or something like that.
I have two regular keys and one valet key.
What do I do on my initial installation?
Thanks.
It's cool that you found a relatively inexpensive option for such a rare failure.
As far the keys go, the registration should be automatic if I recall correctly (you shouldn't need the factory scan tool). Connect the plugs to the ECU, then insert the keys in the ignition without turning it on. When you do this the red immobilizer light somewhere on the dash will come on for a few seconds, and when it turns off the registration is complete. Do this one by one, with the valet key last. The first two will be registered as master keys, and the remaining will be sub keys.
It's cool that you found a relatively inexpensive option for such a rare failure.
As far the keys go, the registration should be automatic if I recall correctly (you shouldn't need the factory scan tool). Connect the plugs to the ECU, then insert the keys in the ignition without turning it on. When you do this the red immobilizer light somewhere on the dash will come on for a few seconds, and when it turns off the registration is complete. Do this one by one, with the valet key last. The first two will be registered as master keys, and the remaining will be sub keys.
yep as long as the new ECM he got is set to auto registration
yep as long as the new ECM he got is set to auto registration
I thought that they come set to auto reg out of the box. Since you have to turn the ignition on with the key and power the computer to set that option with the scantool, the ECU will register the first key that it sees as well as 2 subsequent keys unless you use the scan tool to turn auto reg off. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I've been away from Toyota for a couple of years. I'm going off memory here.
Thanks, guys. I'll assume it's set to auto reg - got nothing to lose. Will let you know.
Did I mention that ECM ToGo wouldn't even take my billing info up front. They don't charge for a repair until and unless it is successful and passes test.
I thought that they come set to auto reg out of the box. Since you have to turn the ignition on with the key and power the computer to set that option with the scantool, the ECU will register the first key that it sees as well as 2 subsequent keys unless you use the scan tool to turn auto reg off. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I've been away from Toyota for a couple of years. I'm going off memory here.
oh your right about it being auto reg out of the box if the unit is new and from toyota.. because they do something i guess that we cant at the dealer to make it go auto reg.. (mainly older cars with immobilizer) since the newer cars have reprogramable ecu so u can clear the code with a seed number and mdt password
anyways since he got a used ecu. i dont know if they were able to make them go into auto reg. but i do hope it works out since he did spend alot for it..
also you could get a new ecu from a toyota dealer. just get your called towed in and say you lost all the keys and need new keys and program immobilizer. since its an older model ecu and car.. the ecu cant be cleared by the dealer and have to order a new ecu and keys to be programmed.. now you dont have to pay for the ecu since toyota has a program for those who lose all their keys. so all you pay is labor and price of keys. well thats what we do. maybe its just goodwill
Okay - had nothing to lose. I got the ECU today and installed it.
The security light on the dashboard was blinking, so I plugged in one key and left it for 30 - 40 seconds, then the next, then the valet key. Light kept blinking. Put first key back in and turned - engine turned over, but didn't start. Guess that means it didn't program.
Our local dealer certainly won't go out of his way to replace my ECU on a lost-key program basis. The service mgr is ticked about my not taking him up on his offer to fix my car for $1500.
Just got off the phone with a customer friendly Toyota dealer. He confirmed that for a 99 Avalon I can only replace the computer with a new computer, because that comes with the auto registration enabled.
Used computer won't work, even if it came with the keys, since the keys wouldn't fit the car.
Looks like it's time to shop for a new computer.
Last edited by DonS47; 12-07-2007 at 02:43 PM.
Reason: Updated info.
Well shit, I was hoping it would hook up for you. I've never installed an ECU that wasn't fresh out of the box new, so maybe there's something different about the refurnished ones, I don't know. I do remember that the auto register thing was pretty quick, though (if I'm wrong wonger might correct me, I haven't been with Toyota for a couple of years now), so I want to say the auto thing ain't working for you. The endless cranking is exactly what happens when you get a key that isn't registered, so at least you know where you're at.
As far as the scan tool, I was referring to the factory job. There's a proprietary utility in there that you won't find anywhere else, so if you can't get this done manually by anyone else except the dealer. Maybe I'm wrong about the auto - registration thing and there might be something else to it. I'm going off a memory that gets foggier by the day, so maybe one of the other techs on here could confirm or deny what I'm spouting.
Okay - had nothing to lose. I got the ECU today and installed it.
The security light on the dashboard was blinking, so I plugged in one key and left it for 30 - 40 seconds, then the next, then the valet key. Light kept blinking. Put first key back in and turned - engine turned over, but didn't start. Guess that means it didn't program.
Our local dealer certainly won't go out of his way to replace my ECU on a lost-key program basis. The service mgr is ticked about my not taking him up on his offer to fix my car for $1500.
Just got off the phone with a customer friendly Toyota dealer. He confirmed that for a 99 Avalon I can only replace the computer with a new computer, because that comes with the auto registration enabled.
Used computer won't work, even if it came with the keys, since the keys wouldn't fit the car.
Looks like it's time to shop for a new computer.
it really depends on how educated the techs and service managers are at the dealership. not say our dealership is the best and what not.. but there are alot of goodwill and free stuff our dealership do for customers to satisfy them .. even if they dont buy anything.. its kinda of hard for me find the TSB for this.. but toyota is suppose to pay for a new ecu if a customer ever lose their keys.. since u need them to program more .. only thing the customer has to pay is for the labor of installing ecu, new keys, and reprogramming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Qslim
Well shit, I was hoping it would hook up for you. I've never installed an ECU that wasn't fresh out of the box new, so maybe there's something different about the refurnished ones, I don't know. I do remember that the auto register thing was pretty quick, though (if I'm wrong wonger might correct me, I haven't been with Toyota for a couple of years now), so I want to say the auto thing ain't working for you. The endless cranking is exactly what happens when you get a key that isn't registered, so at least you know where you're at.
As far as the scan tool, I was referring to the factory job. There's a proprietary utility in there that you won't find anywhere else, so if you can't get this done manually by anyone else except the dealer. Maybe I'm wrong about the auto - registration thing and there might be something else to it. I'm going off a memory that gets foggier by the day, so maybe one of the other techs on here could confirm or deny what I'm spouting.
you are right about the new TECHSTREAMS even the older toyota scanners.. theres an option to go into utility and u can reset the ecu to program new keys. but this is only in the new year toyotas..
see the older toyotas like the one Don has. the ecu cant be reseted with the scanner.. i guess thats why the TSB came out and if anyone that lost all their keys.. toyota will buy them a new ECU but customer has to pay for new keys, labor for install and reprogram.. and that was only for the older year toyotas that cant be reseted.. i guess toyota learn from that and the newer year toyota can be reseted by an MDT only since u need a password and the seed number from the ecu to be reseted.. i done it before and not MDT but used an MDT login..
best bet for anyone who have immobilizer .. go get a backup master key programmed and put away in a safe place.. since it can cost alot of time an d money if you ever lose all your keys..
I'm in same boat with my '02 Solara ... have only 1 working valet key, no registered master ... tried used ECU (unlocked/reflashed by locksmith) but once installed I still cannot register any key as Master.
Only the first key gets registered (as valet unfortunately) and the moment I insert any second key the auto-registration mode gets interrupted ...
so I am now off with 2 ECMs, each one having it's own working (valet) key and still no master for any of them, shit ...
My local dealer quoted me $1350 on new ECM (refurbished actually, there is no more NEW ECMs) and labor for registering my existing 3 keys. they ain't doing shit for free (no free replacement program for me).
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99 Avalon ECM Replacement Options?
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