Resolved How bad is my ECU damage and WHY!!!

[5150DSM]

So I finally got everything ready to go on my build. I checked, double checked and triple checked everything, and then missed something...

I went to hook my laptop with Link V3 installed up to the car, followed all the directions but for some reason I was unable to connect. The CEL stayed lit and the program was unable to connect to the car. Before I even had a chance to start troubleshooting I heard relays start to click and then they abruptly stopped and the smell of ozone filled the air... oh shit. I knew right away what it was and the heat coming off the ECU confirmed my fears before I even got it open. My questions are as follows: How bad is the damage to my ECU? What specifically did I damage? What caused the damage? And, how much do you think it will cost to fix?

Here are some pics of the area(s) that were damaged, they're not very good but my concerns are about IC2, C21, R45, C107, D3 and the knock board. I'm not sure if the knock board was damaged but the little black circle thingy on top was sticky and I have no idea if that is normal.

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Thanks in advance for any and all help. I will be sending the unit into ECMTuning for repair tomorrow but I would like to get a head start on preventing this in the future by getting a better understanding of where I focked up. Thanks again guys.

 

[twdorris]

Your flash module is installed backwards. There is an outline on the PCB showing proper orientation. There's a small notch on the flash module and a notch in this outline. The flash module should have been installed so that its notch matched the notch on the PCB. There's also a notch in the socket that should have lined everything up as well.

You can see an example of a properly installed flash module into a 1G non-EPROM conversion board here.

http://www.ecmtuning.com/images/forums/ecurepair/noneprom-done.jpg

Installing a flash module backwards and then powering the ECU up will almost always destroy the flash module. It may have also damaged the non-EPROM to EPROM conversion board and it might have even damaged the ECU's 5v regulator circuit. To determine the extent of the damage and repair options, we'll need to see the ECU in here.

You can schedule this by ordering one of these $0 service request items off our website:

ECU Service Request

You're basically just pre-paying the return shipping cost and then sending us your ECU along with a printed copy of the order. When you check out, just put a note in the comments section describing what's going on so we know what to do when the package arrives.

When we receive your package, we'll look everything over and get back to you on what we find and an estimated cost.

Sorry to bring bad news.

Thomas Dorris
ECMTuning, Inc.

 

[5150DSM]

Thanks Tom for the information. I had a feeling this was going to be bad. My ECU is coming to you guys via express shipping, leaving right now. I'll also contact the member I bought the unit from to discuss this eventuality. Sucks to be me right now.

 

[5150DSM]

ECMTuning got my ECU at 10:30 yesterday morning and had a diagnosis and estimate back to me within an hour, lucky for me, only the flash module was damaged. I paid for the repairs, which were then completed within a couple of hours and the ECU was in transit back t me before the end of the day... all for a very reasonable price. I can't say enough good things about ECMTuning, their service is impeccable. Thank you very much to Thomas Dorris and the crew at ECMTuning for taking care of me you guys are the epitome of how a business should be run.