1G Swapping my California ECU with a Federal ECU

[FrostBite]

Same year same make and model, same everything-except my old ecu was ca and i want to get a federal one. I have heard that the only differance between the two is a resistor for the EGR valve between 129 and 130. I have heard that it doesnt matter in the 1990 if its there or if it isnt. I have also read some posts saying you cant do it unless you cut out the resistor. I was just hoping for some clarification on if I put a federal ecu in place of my ca ECU if i will need to cut out the resistor.

 

[BoostedTalonTS]

To quote the VFAQ:
"Converting a 90-93 CA ECU to Federal ECU
All you need to do is solder a 1K resistor into the missing R129 position inside the ECU. If you look at some of TMO's pages, you will see the R129 and R130 resistors that the factory uses to program the ECU for different applications. With R129 installed, the ECU thinks it is one of the other 49 states and stops checking the EGR temp sensor."
..Having run a "Fed Spec" ECU in a CA car, I found that the engine seemed to run smother. -I later added a 1K resistor when I did the cap replacement & EPROM socket.

-Also make sure that the new ECU is an EPROM ECU, if you plan on rechipping it for mod support.

 

[mephist0]

where did you get the 1k resistor? thanks

 

[steve]

What you quoted isn't accurate for the ECU's in '90. The 91+ ECU's have a common code base between FED and CA with the EGR being the only hardware difference and changing the resistor will switch the ECU. In '90 the ECU's have different code between the two and swapping the resistor doesn't change the function.

I guess I'll have to get Tom to change the VFAQ. Which page did you find that at?

Steve

 

[BoostedTalonTS]

http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html
>>> Short Tips >>> Electrical (Author: Mark Reib)

..I can verrify that the above is true for my 94 A/T TSi AWD's ECU

 

[BoostedTalonTS]

where did you get the 1k resistor? thanks

Radio Trash (Shack) -$.99 for a 4 pack

 

[steve]

Thanks, I've sent Tom a update.

Steve