Used APR stage 1 ECU upgrade?

[andy_gti]

Hi guys,

I need some help and advice. I have the above ECU upgrade in my 2001 Golf GTI. The vehicle was involved in an accident and is a write off. See this thread for pics and more info, http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=26988

My questions are thus;

1. can it be used on another vehicle?
2. provided the ECU is not damaged, is it something I might be able to sell?
3. how would I be able to find out if it is damaged or not?

Thanks,
Andy.

[Manaz]

It's unlikely I'd imagine that the ECU has been damaged. If that's the case, and the APR upgrade is just a reflash, you could in theory pull the ECU, though I'm not sure on how you'd go about installing it into another car.

Have you contacted the APR reps in Australia (I think Guy from Harding Performance may be able to help you here) to ask what your options are?

[RhysQ]

Guy will have to confirm but as far as I know, APR will re-flash your car if it has been wiped from your ECU or in an accident and damaged etc. As you are an existing customer, you own that flash for that car.

As for transferring that damaged re-flashed ECU to another car, not too sure. Definitely speak to Guy, you never know what he might be able to do.

[gtimk5]

These are an actual chip on this model and not a reflash.
Talk to Guy.
Andrew

[andy_gti]

I haven't contacted APR as I thought they wouldn't be too interested in an enquiry to sell a second hand upgraded ECU. I may be wrong. Thought I'd try here first. I have seen other used 'chips' for sale, but not an APR upgraded ECU.

I don't think it was 'flashed' as it is my understanding that can only be done to Drive By Wire cars, which mine is not. I'm pretty sure they removed it, re-programmed it then re-installed it. Or, it could have been replaced altogether. I can't remember what the dealer told me when I had it done.

What I am really hoping for is a performance part like any other that can be removed from one vehicle and installed in another. If that is the case then I would like to try to sell it.

Thanks for your comments.

[jasn78]

also been wondering this question if i ever wanted to part out the car later

[Guy_H]

An ECU with physical chip can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, so if you can salvage it, it would be sellable to someone with the exact same part numbered ECU. This applies to the MKIV.

Man thats a bad smash - glad you are OK - It looks like it will be a tough job to salvage that ECU.;

[jasn78]

So guy that doesnt apply to the software flashes then on polo's etc?

[andy_gti]

An ECU with physical chip can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle, so if you can salvage it, it would be sellable to someone with the exact same part numbered ECU. This applies to the MKIV.

Man thats a bad smash - glad you are OK - It looks like it will be a tough job to salvage that ECU.;

Thanks Guy. I'm glad I'm OK too.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Except the part about salvaging the ECU. Did you say that because of the location of the ECU in relation to the damage to the vehicle?

[h100vw]

The ECU is located by the wiper motor which might mean it's hard to retrieve.

Has to be worth a go though.


OT bits

I am not 100% but you may have to sort out immobilisation to have the ECU run another car.

jasn78 immobilisation would stop you selling your ECU to someone else I reckon. As I understand it, only VW can now overcome immobilisation issues. I could be wrong as I have never had a go.

Not all tuners replace the chip in MK4s, I don't have to, I can flash them out of the car.

Gavin