How much should an ECU replacement on a 2001 Toyota Avalon - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

stacks · 10-10-2011, 03:18 PM

XLS cost? Just got a quote of $1900 from the dealership. Any money saving tips? Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated.

***arabianobsession*** · 10-10-2011, 03:28 PM

$1900 seems really excessive, esp. for just the part (no labor). If you think though, the ECU is the main brain box of your car, it's not going to come cheap. Around $1000 in general is usually what I hear for one.

stacks · 10-10-2011, 03:35 PM

The $1900($1,960 to be exact) was for both the part and labor. Do you think it would come out cheaper if I bought the part myself and had someone install? Do you think it would be wise to trust someone other than the dealership to install this?

stacks · 10-10-2011, 03:38 PM

Also, is this a part that I should definitely buy new or would buying used be something to consider?

***arabianobsession*** · 10-10-2011, 04:07 PM

You could buy used BUT consider this: 99% of places who sell used ECU's will never give you a warranty. And how would you like to spend $300 or so on something that's not guaranteed to even work to begin with?

2 grand for parts and labor isn't horrible, but I think you could have it done cheaper. It all depends on where the ECU is. Some cars it's easily accessible, and some are downright nightmarish to get to.

TedL · 10-10-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stacks

XLS cost? Just got a quote of $1900 from the dealership. Any money saving tips? Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated.

You can save at least 30% off the part price (more if your dealer charges more than MSRP for parts) by getting from site sponsor Toyota of Newnan. Look up contact info for their parts dept. manager Gary Smith, user name toyopartsman. It's a plug in connection, so does not really require more mechanical ability than plugging in a lamp.

stacks · 10-22-2011, 10:36 AM

SMH. Just got back from the dealership. According to them a used ECU can not be installed in my model and year Toyota. Does this sound right? Quite irritated right now because the people I bought it from assured me that it would work in my vehicle!!

***arabianobsession*** · 10-22-2011, 11:15 AM

That's really odd. I know other manufacturers will allow you to swap around ECUs...I'm wondering that if maybe a Toyota ECU is "locked" into a certain VIN, you can't unlock it? But that even sounds weird, you should be able to "unlock" the ECU, much like a tuner.

*scratches head*

stacks · 10-24-2011, 05:30 PM

The guy I bought the part from is basically telling me that they are liars..he's suggesting I send the part off to the people he does business with(Auto Comp Technologies-Houston TX) to get programmed for $60 as they "have the best price." Not sure what to believe at this point.