Did it work?
I'm trying to avoid shelling out a hideous amount for a new auto-boxECU on an old car and can't find a 2nd hand one.
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Yes, had a few repaired. Try placed like ATP and/or BBA-Reman
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As an alternative, you might try BBA www.bba-reman.com
Ian.
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Thank you both of you - I'm facing a £1500 repair bill on a car worth £2500......
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What's the car and what's the problem?
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Hello Aprilia, long time, no "speak".
It's an Audi A6 2.8 with ACK engine.
I took it to a national chain for an MOT with a perfectly working box and when I got it back the multi-function switch was kaput. They did no work on the box during the MOT, just bits and bobs. The MF switch has been replaced but it's still reading unknown error and the garage - who are auto specialists - can only surmise it's the box ecu. I've tried all the parts gateway type on-line places to find a 2nd hand part and repair seems to be the only route to avoid the £1000 cost of a new ecu from Audi.
Any thoughts most welcome it's driving me nuts.
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Give these guys a ring. I've used them for VW bits and they're great:
www.vwaudibreakers.co.uk
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ECU failures are very rare - "ECU failure" is of the diagnosis of last resort - i.e. they can't find out what is wrong and since the ECU is a complex and 'mysterious' part they assume it must be to blame. I would want to check everything else out first. Bear in mind the the ECU software will have a limp=home mode - is it operating in 'limp home'?
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I agree with Aprilia's view - The high tech bits like ECUs are usually very robust; it's the low tech that connects the system together, wiring, connectors, and switches that can be troublesome.
Before suggesting an ECU fault, potentially costing into four figures, I would suggest a thorough check of the entire gearbox system would be worthwhile.
Number_Cruncher
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You've put your finger on it, in that the garage have done a fair bit of investigation on where the fault may be occuring without finding the answer, but they are wary of racking up too many hours labour on investigation, only to find that ECU is the problem after all then I've got a bit ECU bill plus a lot of labour cost. It's crossroads time, which is why I'm thinking that to try to repair the ECU might be a cheaper alternative.
I tried Reman but they don't touch transmission ECUs.
If you have any inspiration as to something I can suggest to them that they might have overlooked I will buy you a virtual pint or if anywhere near Manchester the real thing!
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FWIW (if anything) I had a fault on a DCU on an Astra - taking the back off revealed a dry solder joint. Simply re-doing that saved nearly £600. If you can get the back off your box, see that all visible connections are nice and shiny. Checking wires and connectors seems the first thing to do, though, as the original work involved odds and ends - perhaps something was tickled there.
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ECU's are normally ultra reliable;it usually turns out to be the connectors or sender units etc.Take all the connectors and plugs apart,make sure they are all clean.
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What is reading 'unknown error' ?
Have you had a diagnostic system connected to it ? I would recommend VAG-COM for audi's. You can buy a cable that will work with the free version of the software for about £20. Or you can get the latest high speed full version software and cable for under £300. The free version will read most things but not let you reset or configure stuff. The full version does almoswt evrything that the audi diagnostic system does.
VAG-COM runs on a PC and you plug it into the diagnostic connector on the car. the maker is ross-tech.
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The MF switch. It's been on the computer at an Audi main dealer
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The autobox ecu had to be replaced on my FIL's 2.4 A6 (it's the one under the front passenger seat?) but what had happened with his is that it had got wet due to the common A6 trait of letting water in due to blocked scuttle drain, so all the connectors had rusted.
He got it done in a local (Widnes) non-Audi garage and, IIRC, it cost around £500 - certainly not £1000+.
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Nsar
Get in touch with these people, they repair ECU's and may be able to help:
Avilec Ltd T/A Car Electronic Services,
Unit 307,
Solent Business Centre,
Millbrook Road West,
Southampton, SO15 0HW
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: 023 80777748
Intl: +44 23 80777748
Email: rod@carelect.demon.co.uk
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Update...
tried Avilec they can't repair my ECU (but were helpful and efficient), called ATP who put me in touch with a company called Lynx on 01949 836362 who were really helpful and spoke to my garage, sadly they too can't repair but they can supply a new one for about £130 less than Audi.
Now, here's the dilemma - do I go for Lynx's cheaper price or Audi, knowing that Audi will take the part back if they fit it and the fault code isn't cured......
I can't tell you how much I hate auto-boxes!
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If Audi are offering you a replacement ECU on a 'no win, no fee' basis then go for it.
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