OK, I located the ECU on my Golf without problems, and eventually managed to get it out, but the ECU is screwed onto a metal bracket with 3 philips screws. 2 of them came out alright, but the third one will not come out for love nor money. I have tried all the screwdrivers, none get a good enough grip, and those that nearly do, I applied my full (not unsubstantial) weight and strength, but it just wont come loose.

Any suggestions? I've already broken two screwdrivers

get your self a cordless drill and set the torque setting to medium. Hammer the screw TIGHTER to try and move it. Then try and un-screw it using the rattling of the torque drive on the drill.

Small set of mole grips.

Try the above and also some penetrating oil. If all fails just take a HSS drill bit to it but be careful not to damage anything

Chisel a slot across the head then use a larger flat screwdriver on it.

Cheers guys sorted now, took it to a local backstreet in the end who did it for nowt.

ddouble posted

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..

Are you sure its a Phillips head and not a Pozi head?

Spray the area with WD40.

Use a screw driver with a good tip, then offer the screw tip to the head and strike it firmly with a hammer. All you're trying to do is force the screw driver tip to bite into the screw head, nothing more. Having stuck it a few times, try turning. If you get no joy, try some penetrating oil to soak in and repeat above. If still no joy, I fully recomemend "Screw Grab". Its a liquid with metal filings in it that fills the screw head and give's purchase to your driver tip...this stuff works.

What ever you do, do not use a power driver, as you will rip the screw head before you have thought about the next cup of tea.

PS....this is'nt meant to sound condescending.

PPS..Bugger, your next post beat me to it.

Spray the area with WD40.

Use a screw driver with a good tip' date=' then offer the screw tip to the head and strike it firmly with a hammer. All you're trying to do is force the screw driver tip to bite into the screw head, nothing more.[/quote']

Yeah, that's the best method I've found too for dealing with them too.

Rob.

Yeah' date=' that's the best method I've found too for dealing with them too.

Rob.[/quote']

Are hammers and ECU's a good combination?

If still no joy, I fully recomemend "Screw Grab". Its a liquid with metal filings in it that fills the screw head and give's purchase to your driver tip...this stuff works.

Available from here at

Are hammers and ECU's a good combination?

No worse than screwdrivers and ECUs...

Rob.

Available from here[/url'] at

Have'nt seen it cheaper Denis' date=' and in honesty it's a good price for something thats hard to get, and last a long time as you only use a small blob when you need it.

I consider it a real time saver.[/quote']It's on my shopping list for action on Monday, Andy.

It's on my shopping list for action on Monday, Andy.

Hope you don't have a raft of semi-ruined cross-head screws Denis;)