ECM questions 2000 VR6
 

Hi,
Have a 2000 VR6 which is giving no codes and will not link up with a code reader. I'm assuming that the computer is toast at this point and would like to replace it. It seems finding ecm's for a 2000 vr6 is not a problem. The big question is about 'coding'. According to my Jetta book the computer must be coded be a VAG1551 scan tool or by a scan tool by SnapOn or Baum. Is there a work around instead of this? If I take an ECM from a used parts yard can I skip the coding and just put it in my vehicle and expect good results? Thanks in advance for your input
Catt

RE: ECM questions 2000 VR6
 

Has to be written with your VIN in the software, otherwise if everything is identical, from the same make model year, should have no problem. The computer doesn't sound like it's toast, just sounds like whatever you're trying to read it with won't interface. If you're have no problems with the car...get it scanned by the proper scan tool or you can find someone who has one.

RE: ECM questions 2000 VR6
 

Thanks for the post. You may be right about the ecm not being toast but I've tried two separate scan tools, one brand new Actron and one from AutoZone who knew that their scanner worked. The Jetta runs but is burning rich and runs terrible on cold start. I think it has all kinds of issues. I won't know until I can see the codes and thats where I am now. I purchase the scan tool to be used on the other vehicles I have as well as this one so I think it was a good investment. However, if I were to do it over again I would buy a laptop based scan tool instead but that's another story. I don't trust my local VW dealer and have good reasons not to that I don't need to go in to now. I'm not too familiar with any of the other foreign repair shops around me because I've had domestic cars for so long. Maybe I'll just follow your thought and roll the dice by going to a repair shop that I've known has been there for some time and have them test the ecm out. One last question though. Is it worth trying to disconnect the power supply for a few minutes and then hooking it back up and start the car and see if it will reboot? I've read that the computer does react to shift patterns and drive style. Is it worth a shot?
Catt

RE: ECM questions 2000 VR6
 

I don't know if disconnecting the battery will really do anything. You do sound like you have software issues. I dont' knwo what else to say but to get in somehwere and check the codes and fix accordingly. Might be something like a bad O2 sensor...cold starts, can be fixed, sounds like you're having fuel issues overall.

The computer "learns" but not in the way you think. It learns itself and adapts to the conditions, not to the driver. Bah, get into a shop!

:-)

-Jeff