What do the various numbers on the ECU mean?

[steve]

Hi,
I was just wondering why the number on the ECU board and the number on the ECU cover would be two different things?

The ecu I have said md166262 on the cover, which is for 91 awd turbo, but on the board it said je331b997a and I couldn't find out what ecu is that for?

I'm hoping that you could tell me something about that.

Thank you very much,

kevin

(From a PM I received that I thought was of general interest)

Kevin,

MD16262 is the part number. Below that on the cover you'll see E2T36578 and the last four digits (6578) should be printed on the white edge connector if the board is original to the case,

JE331B997A is the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) part number/version and not somethig you can cross reference because there are different versions within the same ECU part as well as the same version across several ECUs. What it tells me is that you have a non-EPROM circuit board but by itself doesn't tell me which one. If there wasn't a number on the edge connector I'd need the numbers off the CPU chip to narrow it down.

Steve

 

[dtshelton]

Not to steal this thread but I just acquired an 1g eprom ecu and it has a ea01 on the chip itself. What does this denote? My original wasn't eprom so I was wondering if it would be ok. THANKS

OK, never mind. I should've searched before I asked that question. The post I saw said it was from a 94 turbo. Always search before you speak.

 

[steve]

it has a ea01 on the chip itself. What does this denote?

It means it has version EA01 software in the EPROM. Actually the '93 model year Federal Turbo ECUs used that version. The '94 Federal Turbo ECUs got EB21.

Steve

 

[lasertim]

I am sure most people know of this link but I thought I would post it anyway. Pretty helpful for identifying ECUs.

http://simon.chi.il.us/ECU/ECUID.html

 

[steve]

I've seen that once or twice.

If anybody has ECUs where that chart doesn't have all the data, send me a update.

Steve

 

[lasertim]

Are you the originator of that chart?

 

[steve]

I stole the format and some of the data from the one on the VFAQ site but the rest is mine.
Why?

Steve

(That means I was not the originator but that is my chart)

 

[99gst_racer]

Are you the originator of that chart?

Applied Computer Technology = Steve.

 

[lasertim]

I stole the format and some of the data from the one on the VFAQ site but the rest is mine.
Why?

Steve

(That means I was not the originator but that is my chart)

I was just curious, no reason really. I think it is a good tool to have and I keep it in my favorites list. I have refered to it many times, thanks.

 

[steve]

Thanks, I was hoping it was useful.

Steve

 

[ac15584]

Hello every one
i own a plymouth laser 1991 , and last week the computer smoke without reason , can you help out to see which is the right replacement for this model, some say that any computer which comes from eclipse, talon and laser 1991-1994 are the same. but i just bought another one and the circuit board inside is not the same . I don`t want to put it in and see it smoke again Has anyone seen this problem before? would you know probable cause?

original computer
- chipset number E856
- white connector number 6572m
- circuit board number JE331B997A

new computer
- chipset number E853
- white connector number 3674m
- circuit board number JE331B993B

thanks in advance

 

[steve]

First thing you need to do is identify what burned up on the original ECU to be sure that problem is corrected or any ECU you plug in could very well do the same thing.

The first board you have was from a MD166255. Thats a 91-93 Federal 2.0L NA FWD ECU as shown on my list when you match the numbers on the edge connector to the last four digits of the E2T numbers.

The other ECU board looks to be from a MD159561, Thats a 91-94 Federal 1.8L NA FWD ECU and won't work with a 2.0L 4G63 car.

You can't just use any computer which comes from Eclipse, Talon and Laser 1991-1994.
You should start trying to find the same part number. Swapping a different ECU requires some detailed knowledge of what works and what doesn't.

A MD166255 is a pretty common 1G NA ECU and you shouldn't have too much problem finding one.

Steve

 

[rocknsnoboarder]

Hello every one
i own a plymouth laser 1991 , and last week the computer smoke without reason , can you help out to see which is the right replacement for this model, some say that any computer which comes from eclipse, talon and laser 1991-1994 are the same. but i just bought another one and the circuit board inside is not the same .

I wanted to elaborate on ac15584's question a little more.
Would you be able to switch the ecu from different years as long as the model was the same. ex: can I put a 92 fwd turbo ecu (MD166260) in a 93 fwd turbo car( MD193297).

 

[steve]

wanted to elaborate on ac15584's question a little more.
Would you be able to switch the ecu from different years as long as the model was the same. ex: can I put a 92 fwd turbo ecu (MD166260) in a 93 fwd turbo car( MD193297).

I don't want to get into all the issues but to answer your specific question, yes a MD166260 will replace a MD193297 without any problems.

What's wrong with the MD193297?

Steve

 

[rocknsnoboarder]

I don't want to get into all the issues but to answer your specific question, yes a MD166260 will replace a MD193297 without any problems.

What's wrong with the MD193297?

Steve

caps leaked all over my circuit board and i'm having a hard time finding a md193297 but i've found a bunch of md166260 so I was going to replace my original with one of these.

 

[steve]

Just keep in mind that all 1G ECUs have either leaked, or will leak. If they have original caps they need to be replaced, the sooner the better. So, if you get a replacement instead of having yours repaired, make sure the problem is addressed with the "new" ECU before putting it in your car and forgetting about it.

Steve

 

[ac15584]

First thing you need to do is identify what burned up on the original ECU to be sure that problem is corrected or any ECU you plug in could very well do the same thing.

The first board you have was from a MD166255. Thats a 91-93 Federal 2.0L NA FWD ECU as shown on my list when you match the numbers on the edge connector to the last four digits of the E2T numbers.

The other ECU board looks to be from a MD159561, Thats a 91-94 Federal 1.8L NA FWD ECU and won't work with a 2.0L 4G63 car.

You can't just use ny computer which comes from eclipse, talon and laser 1991-1994.
You should start trying to find the same part number. Swapping a different ECU requires some detailed knowlege of what works and what doesn't.

A MD166255 is a pretty common 1G NA ECU and you shouldn't have too much problem finding one.

Steve

Thank you steve for the answer, I will look for the right ECU as per your list.
Can you please explain what you mean by caps leak or will eventually leak, could this explain why my ECU burnt up, is it possible there is nothing else wrong with the electric system?

Chris

 

[steve]

Can you please explain what you mean by the caps leak or will eventually leak, could this explain why my ECU burnt up?

I'm not sure what needs explaining. The 2 main filter capacitors used on all 1G ECUs are defective and leak their electrolyte out the seal that the wires pass through. Once they start leaking it's a race between the electroylte corroding something critical that causes the ECU to fail or the capacitors shorting and blowing up. That may be what burned on yours but there are other things that can burn up.

Is it possible there is nothing else wrong with the electric system?

It's possible but without seeing the ECU in question it's just as possible it's something else.

Steve

 

[bradtabor]

Just keep in mind that all 1G ECUs have either leaked, or will leak. If they have original caps they need to be replaced, the sooner the better. So, if you get a replacement instead of having your repaired, make sure the problem is addressed with the "new" ECU before putting it in your car and forgetting about it.

Steve

Where is a reputable place to get my caps replaced and how much should I expect to pay for something like that?

Brad

 

[snowborder714]

Either steve (the person who posted above you) or ECMTuning (creators of DSMLink/ECMLink). I'm sure there are a few others, but these seem to be the most popular. And it will depend on where you're located as steve is in Illinois and ECMTuning is in Maryland. You can contact each of them for a price quote.