Shot in the dark - VT Holden ECU issues

notbutanapron · #1 01/29/13, 01:54 AM

Bloody computerized cars!!! The electrics are shot in my car and I've been working on it for weeks and have decided to change my ECU [if you wanna know what I did before this, the answer is 'everything'].

I'm using the TorquePro program to use a OBDII I borrowed off a mate only the OBD can't find the ECU. Neither the new one NOR the old one. It connects to the OBD but the OBD doesn't connect to the ECU.

From what I've been told and from trying it, just plugging the ECU doesn't work, you have to manually reinstall it using the OBD. The dongle I have is a ELM327 which SAYS it works with a 98 VT Holden Commodore but I found a post hidden in a forum quickly saying it didn't work on the V6s, which mine is. If this is true, I don't know. Other people seem to have gotten the ELMs OBD to work on the ECU but I don't think they were doing a full swap, just a diagnostics.

Anybody know how to either change the ECU on the Holden VT or how to get the ELM OBDII to read the ECU?

notbutanapron · #2 01/29/13, 01:56 AM

Note: I can't get the diagnostics to work either. I can't get the OBD to read the ECU at all.

notbutanapron · #3 01/29/13, 03:10 AM

Okay I called around and got my answer. Figure I'd post it in case it ever came up again in a search for someone else:

It seems the Tech2 is the ONLY way to change over an entire ECU on a VT or later model Holden Commodore. It cannot be done without the proper ALDL software linkups. The OBDII will NOT work on a VT or later.

I want a car without a computer now please.

efjay · #4 01/29/13, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notbutanapron

Okay I called around and got my answer. Figure I'd post it in case it ever came up again in a search for someone else:

It seems the Tech2 is the ONLY way to change over an entire ECU on a VT or later model Holden Commodore. It cannot be done without the proper ALDL software linkups. The OBDII will NOT work on a VT or later.

I want a car without a computer now please.

you can swap out the ecu as long as the bcm and key barrel come off the same car.

notbutanapron · #5 01/29/13, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efjay

you can swap out the ecu as long as the bcm and key barrel come off the same car.

OOooh... good luck to me, then. Where will I find a wrecker with an ECU and key barrel WITH a key?

Thank you! It's an option I didn't have before. Don't know why it didn't occur to me to swap the whole bit.

I appreciate you using your first post on me!!

efjay · #6 01/29/13, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notbutanapron

Anybody know how to either change the ECU on the Holden VT or how to get the ELM OBDII to read the ECU?

Quote:

Originally Posted by efjay

you can swap out the ecu as long as the bcm and key barrel come off the same car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by notbutanapron

OOooh... good luck to me, then. Where will I find a wrecker with an ECU and key barrel WITH a key?

Thank you! It's an option I didn't have before. Don't know why it didn't occur to me to swap the whole bit.

I appreciate you using your first post on me!!

dont really get much help do you mate?...
Done this MANY times bud and if you drop the sarcastic crap I might just be able to help you out.
VERY little goes wrong with the ecu on the vt, start with why you want to change it.

notbutanapron · #7 01/29/13, 04:44 PM

Uh. Wow. You're rude as all get out. I wasn't being sarcastic.

And I KNOW very little goes wrong with the ECU. I want to change it because the engine is misfiring and putting too much fuel into the cylinders in but I've changed EVERYTHING else already...fuel sensors, air sensors...if you name an electrical part I haven't changed, I will send you ten dollars. I have been working on this car BY MYSELF so NO I don't get much help, thank you very much [THIS is sarcasm from me]

Why does it matter WHY I want to change it anyway? I asked how because I want to and you answered and I said thank you and then you turned into Jeckyl.

Jesus Christ, teach me to say thank you to someone.

notbutanapron · #8 01/29/13, 05:00 PM

Anyway the only other problem I haven't checked or changed is the individual wires to see if they've been damaged. But the computer itself smells burnt. I really think it's the ECU, especially after everything else. Coil packs work, even tested. Crank Angle Sensor, Cam Angle Sensor, Throttle Position Sensor, Coil Packs, head unit, plugs, plug leads, O2 sensor [both of them], fuel pump... ALL OF IT I have already done.

You must not get genuinely thanked very often.

**Ross** · #9 01/29/13, 08:29 PM

I want to remind everyone that HT has a be nice rule. It means give everyone a little slack and roll with the punches a little! We're here to help each other with day to day problems, so park the egos and show what you can do! Remember we're al friends first and we have to account for differences from place to place. I'm Canadian on an American website talking to Aussies? This can work we just have to be good to each other!

efjay · #10 01/29/13, 11:27 PM

Have you tested the injectors individually to see if they have gone open circuit? Not so common with the v6 but has been known to happen. If even one has it will cause it to run rich,stumble and misfire.
I do apologize for the earlier comment, when i read your post it sounded like you were being sarcastic. So to that end for what its worth have a beer on me

If it needs a new ecu ect I can get them cheap enough if you can spring for postage from nsw

notbutanapron · #11 01/30/13, 02:31 AM

No I haven't done the injectors yet. That's a big job, but I'm willing. That sounds exactly like what it's doing.

I have the new ECU [thank you for the offer!] it's when I installed it I failed. Holden want $165 for the job!!! I may try the injectors first.

I'll take that beer, thanks mate.