Repair ECM
Repair ECM
Hello all,
My 04 g35x has been throwing camshaft position sensor errors every 12 months or so, had passenger side replace twice, driver side once. Recently the car threw the passenger side code again, but after replacing, mechanic is stating the ecm needs to be repaired. He quoted me 1,000 to repair it, but I noticed there are some companies that advertise repair at less than 200 dollars. I am not very savvy, but I am wondering if it would be a simple enough job for me to remove the ecm, mail it in for repair, then reinstall. What are your thoughts?
My 04 g35x has been throwing camshaft position sensor errors every 12 months or so, had passenger side replace twice, driver side once. Recently the car threw the passenger side code again, but after replacing, mechanic is stating the ecm needs to be repaired. He quoted me 1,000 to repair it, but I noticed there are some companies that advertise repair at less than 200 dollars. I am not very savvy, but I am wondering if it would be a simple enough job for me to remove the ecm, mail it in for repair, then reinstall. What are your thoughts?
Unless you were using OEM Nissan sensors I'd bet you still have a bad sensor (possibly a damaged harness or wiring, definitely needs to be inspected thoroughly). This car does NOT play nice with aftermarket sensors, it doesn't help that all the aftermarket ones are junk anyways. If you do need to have the ECU reprogrammed just take it to Nissan, apparently your mechanic charges more than the actual dealership.
Sounds funky to me. Ask your mechanic what brand cam sensors he's using. If they're not OE Nissan sensors ($50 a pop) they're well known on these forums to either not work on installation or break again very quickly which sounds like what's happening with you. I could see how a shade-tree mechanic could diagnose the ECM based only off the fact the crappy sensors he's installing keep failing. Those sensors are also very easy to install from the engine bay, pretty sure all you need to do is remove the intake/throttle body which if you have an '04 you should probably clean anyways. Hope he's not charging much to install those.
If there's a better reason for him diagnosing the ECM....
$1000 for an ECM replacement is waaaay too much. I don't know the details but I'm pretty sure it involves unplugging your ECM, grabbing a used one from the same year/model/transmission ($50 on ebay), having it reprogrammed by the dealer, and plugging it back in.
EDIT: Cleric beat me to the punch. But yeah get a new mechanic...
If there's a better reason for him diagnosing the ECM....
$1000 for an ECM replacement is waaaay too much. I don't know the details but I'm pretty sure it involves unplugging your ECM, grabbing a used one from the same year/model/transmission ($50 on ebay), having it reprogrammed by the dealer, and plugging it back in.
EDIT: Cleric beat me to the punch. But yeah get a new mechanic...
Thanks for the replies everyone. I took it to a different mechanic (different from the usual that replaced the sensors) . The new one is the one that determined the ecm is the problem for the current codes. Car takes about 5 seconds to start and CEL / slip lights are on. I’m guessing they should check the wiring too, since the last mechanic mentioned he had to glue the sensor to the connector due to a clip being broken. If the ECM is actually the issue, are there any guides on how I can remove it, cause from what everyone is saying it seems like a rip off.
What code is it throwing? That's usually a pretty good indicator where to start the diagnosis. If it does turn out to be the ECM it's behind the passenger footwell kick panel, you first need the model number off it then you can source a replacement, it needs to be an EXACT replacement so verify the part number when you buy one. eBay is usually a pretty good source for stuff like that. Then you can drive your vehicle down to Nissan, unplug the battery, swap the ECM which will take all of about 5 minutes if you have the kick panel off already, then they can program the ECM right there in the parking lot.
You will want to call ahead and talk to the service manager to schedule this work though, it should only cost you 1 hour of labor which is like $130 plus the cost of the ECM which is usually under $100 on eBay.
Definitely need to check which diagnostic trouble codes are causing the SES light to turn on though, it might be something simple.
You will want to call ahead and talk to the service manager to schedule this work though, it should only cost you 1 hour of labor which is like $130 plus the cost of the ECM which is usually under $100 on eBay.
Definitely need to check which diagnostic trouble codes are causing the SES light to turn on though, it might be something simple.
Thanks for potentially saving me 800 bucks gang. I picked up the car today and will attempt to fix it. I’m going to attach the sheet showing all the codes. Let me know what you think.
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i don’t think the attachment worked, but codes are : p0340; c1109; c1130; c1704 through 1707; c1724; c1727; u1000; p1705
I suspect you have a power delivery problem. I would REMOVE both power cables from the battery and inspect for problems, inspect the fusible link, remove the stereo faceplate assembly and inspect the ECM primary ground that sits right above the stereo.
If those all looked good I'd check the ECM main harness for damaged pins.
Is this vehicle by chance a salvaged title?
You do still have a cam sensor code being thrown and if it wasn't an OEM Nissan sensor I'd replace it after checking everything else.
A lot of those codes can cause other codes, a bad ECU ground can literally cause ALL those codes.
If those all looked good I'd check the ECM main harness for damaged pins.
Is this vehicle by chance a salvaged title?
You do still have a cam sensor code being thrown and if it wasn't an OEM Nissan sensor I'd replace it after checking everything else.
A lot of those codes can cause other codes, a bad ECU ground can literally cause ALL those codes.
It’s funny you mention the ecu ground, about three months ago I had the stereo replaced with an aftermarket double din. The installers did a crap job, is this ground close enough to be messed with during a crappy double din install?
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DaveO
G35 Sedan V35 2003-06
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Jun 27, 2003 08:56 AM





but it helps if you have small-ish hands.
