ECU broken!!!

[David 8]

You have PM

[Jabbasport]

Well i thought i could just initially take a look for you and relay any thoughts onto you.

You can then decide where to go from then. If you didnt want me to do anything just the cost of the postage to get the ecu back to you

[karlbar2k]

You have PM

looks like an offer of assistance has come your way. Go Fatty5000

If you dont have any luck you could try calling ECU Evolution as they are sometimes down in the Cardiff area over the weekend and Chris is a really helpful guy.

[chrisjackson]

Hi

But if it is checksum error , if it is put back to standard , wont the checksum error still be there????

Stored fault code

Sarah

yes as its a eeprom error code. its possible the eeprom software is no corrupt. the code cant be cleared if this is the case so the eeprom will need writing with new software. seen it before on an ibiza cupra

[RichardBW]

I am really going to throw a spanner in the works here....

If you have an 'internal checksum module error' then there is no permenanat fix other than a brand new virgin ecu, however this fault only normally puts on your cel and will allow normal running to continue. there are several ways to give your a temporary fix but it will happen again in time due to the internal error being triggered.

If the car is a non start due to ecu damage then I doubt you will communicate with diagnostic tools to get the ecu faults or even the id details. But again it seems strange that the nice aa man can tell you its a checksum error.

If the tuner made a checksum error in the tuned software before it was programmed then it would not start from the first time. However if the tuner installed the incorrect software for the ecu (maybe right VAG software number but a different bosch version) then you may have seen 5-10 start/stops before the ecu realised the problem and then died.

I received an ecu today (06a906032hn) with a similar checksum issue but this one has an encryption socket fitted, Is it yours by any chance as we have no idea where it came from?? Sent via royal mail normal post with no paperwork or contact details? If it belongs to anyone on here please contact us on Monday

[shark_90]

Good information there, I wasn't sure enough of every eventuality and the finer details and didn't want to sound like a tit

[RichardBW]

I received an ecu today (06a906032hn) with a similar checksum issue but this one has an encryption socket fitted, Is it yours by any chance as we have no idea where it came from?? Sent via royal mail normal post with no paperwork or contact details? If it belongs to anyone on here please contact us on Monday

Owner of this one has now contacted us and obviously not you guys (its from a SEAT). Thanks.

[Basil]

Hope that you are getting a proper oscarli remap while getting it fixed - that way you can tell the diff.between Rich's remaps and others.

I've been through 3 remaps, so I can say with some authority that Rich's are the best.

And the skip -Mr. Grumpy's present car/ Dave (Shifty's) old car could not be tuned with its huge injectors until Rich did it.

He's a living legend IMHO...

Bas

[jonnycatbiscuit]

Thanks to everybody for all your help and advice...

Just dug out the AA report - it says "fault stored P0601 - internal control module memory - check sum error"

According to Chris at ECU evolution, (via his program writer) if "custom tuning" programmed in an out of date map, this could cause a checksum error after a few ignition cycles; but will also have written something hard (??) to the immobiliser section.

He reckons he can rewrite this back to standard, so it codes to the cars immobiliser when I put the ECU back in; and with the performance map written back in (by him) everything should work when I put it back in the car.

All done postally again, which is a huge help to me, as the kind AA man said they would only recover it once per fault (so if the ECU ever fails again I'm stuffed I think)

Not sure about all the exact terms used here, as some of you know I'm a bit of a computer f*ckwit so not sure about all these eeproms, cels flashes, checksums etc etc.

Need to sit down with pen and paper with someone who knows about these things...

[skudmissile]

Hope that you are getting a proper oscarli remap while getting it fixed - that way you can tell the diff.between Rich's remaps and others.

I've been through 3 remaps, so I can say with some authority that Rich's are the best.

And the skip -Mr. Grumpy's present car/ Dave (Shifty's) old car could not be tuned with its huge injectors until Rich did it.

He's a living legend IMHO...

Bas

I agree, the map he did for my fabia was spot on.

if i werent selling the volvo id try and get one of his maps on that too

[jonnycatbiscuit]

Below is the reply I got from "custom_tuning.co.uk when I emailed them today to explain what had happened and how I held them liable...

Hello John,

Sadly we wont be helping you in any way shape or form. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the file we have put in your ECU. We don't use "cracked" or "out of date" software, All our software is paid for and the very latest versions.The file we put in your ECU is not something that can go wrong overnight if the checksum was wrong, different or not quite right, the car just would not start. It wouldn't run for a few days then fail.

Surprisingly enough we didn't start tuning just a few weeks ago,we have been doing it for 5 going on 6 years now so despite what Jabbasport, Oscarli and Revo might say we know that nothing we have done has caused your car to "die". Again this may come as a bit of a surprise but we have tuned 100's of these engines and never ever put a "very slightly different checksum calculation in" because its not possible to do.

Your car has a problem that fact is not in doubt but that problem has nothing to do with the checksum or the file we have put in your ECU. We are a company who prides ourselves on our customer support and service. We are willing to bend over backwards to help our customers but when we receive Emails telling us we have to pay for something that we haven't broken and that we use "cracked" and "out of date" software well John that's when our willingness to help ends.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Gary

Comments anyone??:eek:

[jaymd]

Love the ending......."Hope this helps"

How did you pay for this,was it on CC or even visa debit card?

[jonnycatbiscuit]

Love the ending......."Hope this helps"

How did you pay for this,was it on CC or even visa debit card?

Paypal - so absolutely no use whatsoever.

I reckon it'll end up going to small claims court as I'm not letting this one drop...

[Basil]

Summary then : they tuned the ECU - the car stopped after a short while, AA found an ECU checksum error, many comments from people in the know and they deny that its anything to do with them?

They should bend over backwards to rectify the fault, otherwise the reputation that they claim have built up over 8 years is gone with the wind. No scratch that, they had their chance.

Briskoda posts are permanent and found with the search function. Very bad business decision to have put up the above post IMHO.

An email to them with a link to this discussion may bring about a little bit more effort from them....

HTH (a genuine one, this time)

Sorry for your upset mate.

Bas

[jonnycatbiscuit]

A couple of things strike me as odd with this company.

For one, their website states

"we actually tune the information inside your ECU ourselves, most of our competitors send your ECU tuning file to somebody else to tune and don't actually know what has been done to your tuning file"yet when they emailed me back last night they said

"all our software is paid for and the very latest versions"

so do they write their own, or pay someone to do it?

Secondly, when I initially spoke to them they said "It's difficult to break into the market" and now they are saying "we have been tuning for 5-6 years"

Also, they told me they do not have the facility to clear stored fault codes. Surely a tuning specialist with 5-6 years experience would have this ability?

I would warn anyone else out there to be very wary of this company...

[jaymd]

Paypal - so absolutely no use whatsoever.

I reckon it'll end up going to small claims court as I'm not letting this one drop...

File a claim in paypal for your money back at least goods not as described.

[jonnycatbiscuit]

File a claim in paypal for your money back at least goods not as described.

I'll give it a go, but my experience of paypal is generally one of "we have your money (commission) now, so we don't really care what happens to you":thumbdwn:

[shark_90]

A couple of things strike me as odd with this company.

For one, their website states

"we actually tune the information inside your ECU ourselves, most of our competitors send your ECU tuning file to somebody else to tune and don't actually know what has been done to your tuning file"yet when they emailed me back last night they said

"all our software is paid for and the very latest versions"

so do they write their own, or pay someone to do it?

I think they mean the software that they use to write and modify the maps is paid for and the very latest version. I think you're misinterpreting the use of the word "software" but either way, them writing their own maps has a good and bad side. If they're really good at writing maps then great, if they're not then.... you know the rest.

I don't write maps, I trust other people to do it for me and pay them handsomely for the privelege.

Also, they told me they do not have the facility to clear stored fault codes. Surely a tuning specialist with 5-6 years experience would have this ability?

That's a difficult one, because by powering up the ECU on the bench it's going to get upset that all its sensors etc aren't connected and will show fault codes for all that. However I'm surprised that they can't just plug your ECU into VCDS and look for the checksum fault themselves, despite the other fault codes.

[vRS Carl]

Hmm i'd be considering legal action if i were you.

As a "company" they have a responsibility to provide you with the product you paid for. I'd tell them politely they either help you sort the problem out at their expense or you will go to national papers.

Then i would seek legal advice either from Citizen's Advice Bureau or from a solicitor specialising in business law.

I really hope you can get this sorted soon mate

Carl:thumbup:

[coursemyhorse]

Reading this thread with interest. I am sorry to hear of your problems OP. I know it's easy to say this kind of thing on the internet, but in all seriousness I would NEVER EVER use that company EVER having just read their email reply to you above. That one email for me completely writes off their business to anyone that reads it in my opinion. They have a duty of care to atleast look into the problem when a customer reports such an issue straight after having the car remapped. The very nature of the fault is the best possible example of a link to the work they did being a potential cause of the problem.

Where are they based or are they a postal only service?

Good luck. Definitely seek legal action before any further contact with them so you are briefed on how to respond.

[coursemyhorse]

Is this the company? Custom Tuning - ECU Remapping Experts For Performance Tuning

[trundlenut]

Was it a "buy it now" rather than an auction on ebay. If so I understand that the Sale of Goods Act applies, this should help.

[jonnycatbiscuit]

Is this the company? Custom Tuning - ECU Remapping Experts For Performance Tuning

Yep that's the company. The very same one that offers a "lifetime guarantee on all remaps":rofl:

I've lodged a paypal dispute for all the good that will do, and I'll be speaking to CAB tomorrow.

I'm hoping this saga warns other 1.8T engine owners...

Edited 24 April, 2009 by gadgetman

[Kandy]

It sounds like if you'd been more diplomatic they might have been more helpful - and in that respect I can't really blame them.

In the meantime I'd be careful what you do and say publicly.

Follow the correct legal channels and then you can safely tell your story once your case is won/proven.

[vRS Carl]

It sounds like if you'd been more diplomatic they might have been more helpful - and in that respect I can't really blame them.

In the meantime I'd be careful what you do and say publicly.

Follow the correct legal channels and then you can safely tell your story once your case is won/proven.

Erm the phrase "customer is always right" springs to mind

At the end of the day he has paid for a service that now appears to be sub standard/defective. He has every right to vent his frustration at the company and the fact he has sent a strongly worded email/letter/phonecall is nothing to do with their after sales customer support. There website clearly states a lifetime guarantee and an complete demonstration of what they will do. It's there problem if they can not sort out his problem and it shows the calibre of the company if they get all defensive when the product they provide is questioned. To me i would interpret that as having something to hide.

Johnny seek legal advice, post the information anywhere you want (you don't have to put your name) and inform them that you are taking this matter up with a solicitor and if they are found to be at fault you will be making the information public. After all you are allowed to do so if the information is factual and they can't do a thing about it except see (hopefully) a drop in sales

Good luck and hope it gets sorted soon

Keep us up to date

Carl:thumbup: