Mr. Z

My local shop wanted me to send my ECU in for repair or replacement because it showed an ECU error code and the car wasn't running properly. I ran VAG-COM and got a "18020/P1612 (PCM Incorrectly Coded) - Intermittent."

I contacted a (seemingly big) ECU shop in FL and they had me send it to "their office" in KY. It turns out that the FL shop doesn't work on Audi ECU's and subcontracts to the guys in KY. I sent it overnight, the service is supposed to be 1 business day and then they send it back overnight.

When I called KY to check on the status after a couple of days, they said "it checked out fine and we're sending it back to you." I got it back with a small slip of paper attached that discusses the error code and essentially says to recode to match tranny (which, as far as I could see on VAG-COM, it already was).

So... I call the FL shop. They can't seem to tell me what was actually done and say that the KY shop hasn't responded to their requests for more info. FL shop guy then says that the ECU needs to be "reflashed by the dealer" after reinstallation because information can get lost. AFAIK, nothing in the ECU is volatile, so what gives?

And if it does need to be "reflashed" or reset somehow, can VAG-COM do it?

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

a competent shop with VAG-COM or similar tool would have tried to code it correctly!

Put it back in the car and get it scanned by someone competent, or at least someone with VAG-COM and enough computer skills to click the COPY button on the fault codes screen and paste the resulst here (the results will include the ECU part number and the current coding).

-Uwe-

Mr. Z

According to the shop's OBD-II tool, there are currently NO fault codes and the "engine coding" and "transmission coding" are correct.

BEFORE I sent it out for repair, I ran (borrowed) VAG-COM and got the following codes (which I cleared because they might have been old) and they haven't shown up again using the shop's tool.
___________________________

Address 01: Engine
Part No: 4D0 907 557 D
Component: 4.2L V8/4V MOTR AT D05
Coding: 01273
Shop #: WSC 00000

5 Faults Found:

17817 - EVAP Purge Valve (N80): Electrical Malfunction
P1409 - 35-00 - -

18020 - Engine Control Module Incorrectly Coded
P1612 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent

16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 35-00 - -

16689 - Cylinder 5: Misfire Detected
P0305 - 35-00 - -

16688 - Cylinder 4: Misfire Detected
P0304 - 35-00 - -

Readiness: N/A
---------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans
Part No: 4D0 927 156 K
Component: AG5 01L 4.2l4V USA D32
Coding: 00012
Shop #: WSC 00000

2 Faults Found:

18264 - Throttle Potentiometer (G69): Error Message from ECU
P1856 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent

17087 - Brake Switch (F): Electrical Malfunction
P0703 - 35-00 - -

======================================

Guess I should order my own VAG-COM... Will either do that or borrow again to run a new scan.

Mr. Z

There was apparently a mixup in their internal paperwork between a couple of Audi ECU's sent at the same time. Problem appears resolved.

Uwe@Ross-Tech.com

Lets do the basics:

This is an A8 right?

* US Model?
* Engine Code?
* Model Year?
* ESP or no?

-Uwe-

Mr. Z

1997 Audi A8 4.2 quattro, US model. ESP? Codes should be right. See above -- actually tested good.

SAFFRAZ

hi guys good day.can anyone help me?i have a 2000 a4 1.8T eurospec.i live in trinidad where we get european versions of everything.my car got some water damage and the TCM is fried.i need a new one but the dealer wants $6500US for it.do u know if i can use a US spec TCM as a replacement?i really can't aford to pay the company's price.it's rediculous.part number is 8DO 927 156 AL. I see the part numbers on the US versions is 8DO 927 156 AN.PLEASE HELP ME.SAFFRAZ