Spyder ECU swap

[import_empress]

Hello! My 1998 Spyder GS-T is not starting. The timing is good, I got new spark plugs, checked the firing order, checked the injectors and the fuel pump. I got new fuses in case they were bad. The ignition coil is good but I changed the connector because it was corroded. There’s fuel and spark but it cranks without starting. And there’s too much fuel going to the spark plugs. I am running OEM fuel injectors. I plugged the ECU and it wouldn’t read.

I have an extra ECU that came with my 1991 VR-4 and I would like to swap it with the one in it but I don’t know how to fit it.

Should I get a link also? Any help is appreciated.

 

[99dsmer4g63]

Does the CEL come on and go out after 5 seconds when you turn the ignition on?

Has this car ran in your possession before?

-Daniel

 

[steve]

I plugged the ECU and it wouldn’t read.

I have an extra ECU that came with my 1991 VR-4 and I would like to swap it with the one in it but I don’t know how to fit it.

Should I get a link also? Any help is appreciated.

Tell us how you plugged into the ECU.

The 1G and 2G ECU's are different, OBD1 vs OBD2 and different connectors. Swapping them isn't straightforward.

ECMLink is a really great tool but since you have a 1998 car you would first have to find either a 95 EPROM ECU or a converted 97 version so you could install the ECMLink hardware.

Daniel asks a important starting diagnostic question. If that doesn't happen nothing interesting is going to happen after.

 

[import_empress]

Does the CEL come on and go out after 5 seconds when you turn the ignition on?

Has this car ran in your possession before?

-Daniel

Yes it had been running. It stopped in the middle of the road while I was driving actually. And the check engine light is on.

Tell us how you plugged into the ECU.

The 1G and 2G ECU's are different, OBD1 vs OBD2 and different connectors. Swapping them isn't straightforward.

ECMLink is a really great tool but since you have a 1998 car you would first have to find either a 95 EPROM ECU or a converted 97 version so you could install the ECMLink hardware.

Daniel asks an important starting diagnostic question. If that doesn't happen nothing interesting is going to happen after.

I haven’t taken off the existing ECU yet. That’s what I want to do with the other ECU but I know it’s not plug and play. Thank you for answering.

I haven’t taken off the existing ECU yet. That’s what I want to do with the other ECU but I know it’s not plug and play. Thank you for answering.

Btw English is not my first language. I learned about cars in Türkiye and I might be wrong about some terms. I meant I plugged the ECU in to the reader. I haven’t swapped without enough knowledge.

 

[steve]

Your English is better than my Turkish. I only understand English, a little French, Spanish, German, and a bunch of computer languages.

What I was trying to find out is what sort of tool did you use to try and scan the ECU? Some generic OBD2 scanner?

If the check engine light is on solid and doesn't turn off when you first turn the ignition on you may have a bad ECU or there may be a fault. Not being able to scan the ECU might suggest that the ECU is bad.

It's not really practical to swap the 1G ECU into your 2G.

 

[import_empress]

I plugged it into a few different obd readers. The matco reader I plugged into is a bit more advanced. I did find the problem though. It has an ECU for a 2.4 Lt gs-t. Now I am looking for a new ECU. Do you know where to get one online? I’ve been on a dozen websites and called all the local junkyards with no luck.

 

[steve]

I did find the problem though. It has an ECU for a 2.4 Lt gs-t. Now I am looking for a new ECU. Do you know where to get one online? I’ve been on a dozen websites and called all the local junkyards with no luck.

There is no such animal. Perhaps you mean a 2.4L Spyder GS. There isn't a 2.4L Turbo DSM from the factory.
The normal Spyder GST would have a 2.0L 4G63 Turbo engine and I assume the same ECU as the FWD GST coupe (MD346675) but I have to double check that cause I never compiled the numbers for the Spyders.

 

[99dsmer4g63]

Can you post a picture of the ecus part number on the case? It would similar to the number Steve mentioned above.

A picture of the engine bay would nice also to verify the which engine is in the car.

-Daniel

 

[import_empress]

Steve- that’s exactly what I meant. It is for a GS. It is Stock and it works too. I got it checked out today. It’s just the wrong ECU. I believe that’s why it’s been running rich. It’s been pushing too much fuel along with other things. ( I might be wrong so don’t judge me though. I am just a car girl)

Daniel- I have the 16 Valve 2 LT engine. Will post pictures when I get home.

 

[chrysler kid]

Steve- that’s exactly what I meant. It is for a GS. It is Stock and it works too. I got it checked out today. It’s just the wrong ECU. I believe that’s why it’s been running rich. It’s been pushing too much fuel along with other things. ( I might be wrong so don’t judge me though. I am just a car girl)

Daniel- I have the 16 Valve 2 LT engine. Will post pictures when I get home.

The fuse for the obd2 port is by the clutch pedal in the footwell. The fuse for the power locks controls power to the obd2 port. Make sure the fuse is good

The 1998 ecu does not go bad. Don’t just blame the ecu without doing any real testing or diagnostics.