Ecu kits - Is Body Control Unit required? Is coding necessary?

[Fordster1]

Hello folks, just a quick question but an important one as don't want to buy the wrong / incomplete parts.

To swap the Ecu in my 2006 1.6L Tdci 90hp Focus, I believe I can purchase a Ecu kit which some seem to consist of 3 parts being the Ecu, the clocks and the key. But other sellers seem to include the Body control module. Is the BCM needed? 

If the BCM is needed and I buy all 4 parts from the one car, will this mean they won't need to be coded to my car? 

Cheers, would appreciate some advice before I purchase an Ecu kit.

[Tdci-Peter]

1 hour ago, Fordster1 said:

If the BCM is needed and I buy all 4 parts from the one car, will this mean they won't need to be coded to my car? 

Most of the critical coding for the car is in the IC (Instrument Cluster, or clocks) and the ECU. The immobiliser (PATS) codes are in both the IC and the ECU, hence they have to be changed together if you want to avoid re-programming PATS. The key contains a little vial or plastic slug that holds the PATS chip. It has no battery, and is not connected to the remote control.

DIY re-programming of PATS is possible, using an ELM327 adapter and a free to download system called Forscan. But it is not very easy. However, as the ECU probably needs coding to match injector codes, and EGR settings, and maybe more, on the 1.6TDCI, you will need a diagnostic system like Forscan anyway. It might work without coding, but may not work very well.

Using the ECU kit, you end up with one key for the ignition, and your existing keys for the doors. Unless you can locate the PATS capsules, and swap them over. So it is not ideal.

Also the mileage will be wrong, which may raise questions at MoT. Forscan can adjust it up, but not down. Only specialist (and rather dodgy!) experts can adjust mileage down. I am fairly sure info like VIN is also stored in the ECU.

Maybe if we knew the problem with the existing ECU, there could be a fix.

As far as I know, it is not essential to change the BCM at the same time. People have changed BCMs without changing the ECU or clocks. If the BCM is changed, it needs to be almost exact spec. match for the car, or it may need re-configuring.

But whatever route you go down, a system like Forscan will be invaluable.

[Fordster1]

That's great info you posted there, cheers dude :)

I had forgotten the injectors were coded there for a minute, and possibly Egr too you reckon. The problem I have is the previous owner of my focus already carried out an Ecu kit swap because the original Ecu had failed. But, he installed an Ecu kit from the 110hp model instead of the original 90hp model. The car drives fine, and I only have the 1 key which opens the door with the fob button and starts the car so he obviously done a good job to some extent as he seems to have dealt with the injectors / key problems, that you speak of.

The problem I have, is the engine management light comes on after a short drive and stays on. There are about 8 fault codes relating to Egr, turbo bypass valve and Dpf additive module, my car doesn't have the turbo bypass valve or the Dpf and the 110hp Ecu is looking for these features. Iv'e had a Egr / Dpf removal specialist look at the car and he can remove the Egr + turbo valve features but not the U-code for the Dpf module and so he doesn't know (can't guarantee) that the remaining U-code for Dpf will not bring on the engine management light. 

Because he couldn't guarantee the Engine management light staying off, we decided the best / easiest thing to do was to get an Ecu kit from a breakers from a 90hp car and just swap over the parts, however this option doesn't seem as simple now, as it did before I read your very informative post above.

I'm not sure how to proceed now, the EML on doesn't bother me as the car drives fine, but if it comes on during the annual road test it will be a fail and when I reset the codes, it comes back on fairly quick, not sure if I'll get it through the test. I was planning on resetting the codes at the test centre, but not sure if it will stay off for its duration. I'm in Ireland by the way, and an EML on is an automatic fail. I'm not sure if upon the retest for a EML if they just check the EML goes off upon starting the car and then pass it or if they drive / wait a while to check it doesn't come back on, etc... 

[Tdci-Peter]

3 hours ago, Fordster1 said:

I'm not sure how to proceed now, the EML on doesn't bother me as the car drives fine, but if it comes on during the annual road test it will be a fail and when I reset the codes, it comes back on fairly quick, not sure if I'll get it through the test. I was planning on resetting the codes at the test centre, but not sure if it will stay off for its duration. I'm in Ireland by the way, and an EML on is an automatic fail.

Yes, I see the problem now!

I said changing an ECU is not just plug and play, but it can be done. I suggest getting hold of an old windows laptop, if you do not already have one, and an ELM327 adapter, and having a play with Forscan. To do PATS, and maybe to re-code injectors, it needs the Windows version, not the lite App version for phones & pads.

On some cars, Forscan can read the existing injector codes. If it can do it, it will be a quite simple service procedure from the menus. The codes written on the injectors are probably not legible. Or it could be the car will work with the wrong codes. They do adapt over time, and this can be speeded up by doing an ECU reset, or reset all adaptions, via Forscan.

As I said above, if you swap both IC & ECU, PATS programming can be avoided if you swap lock barrel, or can locate and swap over the PATS chips hidden in the keys. Also it should be possible to add your existing key to the ones already in the ECU & IC using Forscan,

With two keys, it should be possible to programme a replacement ECU to work with your existing IC, thus avoiding mileage problems.

So there are lots of options, but all will need some sort of re-programming, whether done by you, or by a specialist. I do not recommend the Ford dealer route, they would want to fit a new ECU at vast expense, I would think!

The EOLYS injection system (DPF additive) is quite a major problem, it is a separate module at the back of the car, connected to the ECU via the CAN bus. So there will be U errors if it is missing, and it probably would not be easy to fit one just to pretend your car has it. So reverting to the 90hp ECU seems the best option. But double check it is non-DPF, i think some 90hp 1.6s had DPFs & EOLYS systems. Many options on a Mk2 Focus can be enabled or disabled using the ELM327 and either Forscan or ELMConfig, but I do not think the EOLYS module is one of them.

The Forscan site is: http://forscan.org/download.html

Info about PATS programming: http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=839

(Experimenting with PATS on a working car is a bit dodgy, but with a replacement ECU & IC, it is a lot less scary, you can revert to the working units if it all goes pear shaped!)

I can give more info about ELMs etc if needed, and so can others on this site.

[Fordster1]

Thanks again for this info, it's a big help, I wouldn't even take on to tackle it without your knowledge. I've been thinking and trying to absorb all the info over the last few days. 

I feel a little in over my head with this issue, but would like to learn a bit more about programming / coding so would like to tinker with it myself to an extent, but i'd still like the easiest option so I don't get bogged down. 

I have a genuine copy of VCDS Vagcom which I have used to do a few things with on my own Golf and some family members Vag cars, like changing little coding settings values to make the key fob open all doors on 1 press, change the dash to read from km to miles, checking the speeds of abs sensors to pinpoint the faulty one, etc... Little things like that. There is a "free" but restricted version called "Vag Lite". I have never heard of ForScan or Eml327 adaptor before, is ForScan Fords version of Vag VCDS? And i'm guessing its more like Vag Lite as it's free? But I looked at the link you gave me and for a "free" tool, it seems to do an awful lot. It says it can program keys, etc,,, my genuine VCDS can't even program keys. Is ForScan a genuine tool or a copy version of something? Where do I get the cable for ForScan to connect to the OBD connector or how does it work?

Will it be ok to install ForScan and EML on the same computer as my VCDS Vagcom?

Something I was wondering, Why is 2 keys needed to code a replacement Ecu to the IC? Does the IC look for 2 key codes or such?

Are you saying I don't need to swap the lock barrel if I can swap the PATS chip from the new key that comes with new Ecu kit into my existing key?

I'd like to avoid the PATS programming stuff altogether if possible, to keep things simpler for my beginnings at this stuff :)

Could I get the immobiliser deleted / coded out the same way as the Egr's do be removed. I've seen some specialists advertising immobiliser removal service in their Egr ads, is this possible on this car? Would this mean I'd only need to get a matching Ecu and IC, and not have to worry about the keys and barrels side of things?

Here's what I think is the easiest procedure based on what I've read and what I've gathered from your info:

1 - Buy 90hp Ecu kit that doesn't have Dpf, try get a kit with 2 keys, BCM, IC and ECU.

2 - Try read my injector codes off them physically and make note of them for future and if illegible get them via ForScan. Will my Mechanics genuine proper Delphi diagnostics be able to read these codes for me too?

3 - Swap over the new Ecu and IC.

4 - Code the injectors to the Ecu using the injector codes I made note of in step 2.

5 - Try swap the Pats chip from the new key into the existing key and see if it will start the car. If it doesn't, fit the new lock barrel and use the new key with its Pats chip reinserted. Maybe just swap the barrel if already have it to avoid me possibly damaging the keys. Hopefully can start car at end of this step.

6 - If have Egr errors / codes just get the Egr mapped off the car altogether. Can I do this myself via ForScan or will this be specialist only?

 

Things that I'm not necessarily concerned about or am prepared to live with:

1 - The mileage being wrong on the dash. The service records and test records will show the real mileage so that's fine.

2 - Having to possibly use 2 keys, 1 to open door and 1 to start car.

Is that a good summary of a plan to follow that will work for my car, please feel free to point out anything I'm overlooking or misunderstanding, etc..

 

 

 

[Tdci-Peter]

12 hours ago, Fordster1 said:

Will it be ok to install ForScan and EML on the same computer as my VCDS Vagcom?

Something I was wondering, Why is 2 keys needed to code a replacement Ecu to the IC? Does the IC look for 2 key codes or such?

Are you saying I don't need to swap the lock barrel if I can swap the PATS chip from the new key that comes with new Ecu kit into my existing key?

I'd like to avoid the PATS programming stuff altogether if possible, to keep things simpler for my beginnings at this stuff :)

Could I get the immobiliser deleted / coded out the same way as the Egr's do be removed. I've seen some specialists advertising immobiliser removal service in their Egr ads, is this possible on this car? Would this mean I'd only need to get a matching Ecu and IC, and not have to worry about the keys and barrels side of things?

I am sure that Forscan will be ok with other programs, it is quite basic, as software goes, and self contained, so should not interact at all. It does not seem to contain any of the unpleasant system modifying options, like changing your browser settings, that a lot of "free" windows software does. Loads of people on this site have installed it without any problems, apart from have to sometimes locate and download a suitable USB driver for the ELM.

Forscan is an independent co-operative, non commercial organisation, based mainly in Russia, though it is very much multi-national. I have made jokes about it all being a Putin plot to de-stabilise the West , but I really do not believe there is any truth in that. It is more that, in remoter parts of the world, the nearest dealer or expert may be many hundreds of miles away, so DIY fixes to these modern systems are essential.

The need for 2 keys is a Ford thing, it is for added security. If all keys stored in the car are erased from it, it must have 2 key codes added before it will start. I think you can add a new key even if you only have one of the two (or more) keys already stored in the car. I seem to recall the max is 8.

Ford programmers will deliberately have run the immobiliser code right through the PCM (ECU) code, to make it hard to defeat. I have never heard of a service to disable the immobiliser.

The location of the PATS chip inside the key seems to vary quite a bit. Sometimes it is easy to locate, but sometimes it seems to be moulded into the plastic key head. By putting a PATS chip that is valid for the electronics (IC & PCM) into a key with a blade that is correct for your car, will remove the need to change any lock barrels, or have separate keys for ignition and doors.

Note that the remote control (central locking part) is dead easy to re-programme, it is in the car user manual, so that should not give any problems.

Delphi diagnostics may be able to read & programme injectors. The 1.6TDCI fuel & PCM systems are Bosch, but Delphi may be able to cope. Try it, it does no harm to read data, just read the screen, and avoid any updates or changes. Forscan always seems to warn you and ask for confirmation before making changes.

Your plan sounds fine.

Forscan will not, in itself, delete or map out an EGR. It is capable of uploading new maps or code, but will need an external source for these maps or code. It is primarily a diagnostic and maintenance system, and works within the car's normal systems. It will be able to force the PCM to re-learn a new EGR, as that is a basic maintenance operation.

 

 

[gbw1981]

Isn’t the abs unit also needed for the immobiliser system??

[unofix]

4 hours ago, gbw1981 said:

Isn’t the abs unit also needed for the immobiliser system??

Are you answering the thread that has been dead for 5 years, or do you have a question regarding the ABS ?