Ecu and Cas module questions??

gilb756 · 11-05-2020, 07:48 AM

Hi, this is the first time posting on any forum so please bare with me. I have an e91 320d its 2008 (manual)and the ecu has been water damaged beyond repair. Love the car and planning to keep it for a while.
Having read many many posts on many forums concerning replacement ecu's I could do with some things clearing up.

1. Can a second hand ecu be used on its own or does it need to be fitted in conjunction with a matched up cas module?

1a. If I buy a used set including an ecu/dme, cas and keys 🔑 will it still need to be setup with coding or programming tools?

2. Can any ecu be "virginised" and what does that mean? Will there still be need for a matched up cas module? (As in both modules from same car)

3. If programming is required what sort of price am I looking at or is it something I could do with ista+? (Recently acquired still getting to grips with it but proved useful to diagnose the issue)

Any help will be very much appreciated

nick46 · 11-05-2020, 09:34 AM

Get in touch with Jason at BWchiptune. He is a bmw ecu specialist who specialises in bmw ecu repair and also tuning. You may be able to send your ecu to him (if your too far away to visit), and he may be able to repair it. If not he'll be able to sort you out with a replacement. You could always take advantage of a remap while the ecu is opened up!
Jason is a very knowledgeable guy and really knows his stuff when it comes to bmw ecu's and tuning. Dont just take my word for it, give BWchiptune a Google and you'll find loads of useful information. Plus I'm sure 'rasa' will be along shortly to sing their praises!

gilb756 · 11-06-2020, 11:51 AM

Thanks nick46, I got a speedy reply and it looks like its the way to go. Would of thought I could find somewhere local (staffordshire) but its hard work trying to get people to do a job when you're specific with them. Its almost as if they only want the work if they can pull the wool.
It looks like i will have to rely on going down the postal route....going to send my cas module and my key and have them programmed to a replacement ecu. Got my fingers crossed its that simple. Cheers for your help.

nick46 · 11-06-2020, 01:22 PM

No problem mate. Yeah its a bit of a pain when you can't find something local. They're not local to me either (Somerset) but when I wanted my E91 330d mapped I wanted it done properly, and all the research I was doing just kept ending up back with with these guys. So in the end I took a day out and travelled over to them. Was a long day stood in the cold but well worth it.
Is Jason going to try and repair yours or is it definitely a replacement? Are you having the new / repaired one mapped while you're at it? And just out of interest, what's the cost of the replacement / repair?
What ever happens be sure to update this thread with how it goes.

rasa bmw · 11-07-2020, 01:07 AM

as above jason is the best,,and half the price of so called ecu specialists or bmw etc

dave330 · 11-07-2020, 02:48 PM

can also recommend Jason remapped my 330d remotely ,absolutely love it.

gilb756 · 11-17-2020, 07:35 AM

Cheers for the contributions/advice on the questions.
I have sorted the problem I had and wanted to just say how it went. My water damaged ecu was replaced with a secondhand unit but with a matching cas unit and matching key....the set was all from the same donor car and allowed me to start the car and run it.
The other option would have been to have an ecu programmed to my cas unit which would've cost around £600 all in. (Dealer wanted £1800 to do the same with new ecu)
Anyway to be clear the ecu from another car has the same part numbers and matches (obviously different vin)but the setup files are different i.e. the model it came from had auto lights.....rain sensor.....sunroof etc which threw up codes as would be expected....there were also traction control and brake warning lights on. Which are an mot fail.....so After more investigation it became apparent that you need to reset the steer angle sensor when you have replaced the ecu which I did with ista and hey presto the warning lights on the dash went off and it also allowed the dtc and cruise control to work again. To conclude if you have an e90 91 92 then check the drain isn't blocked under the dme/ecu housing as it fills with water and if you have any electrical problems after its pissed down check it first.

If anyone has advice on other things to do once you've fitted a second hand ecu please put below....

11-05-2020, 07:48 AM	#1
gilb756 Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: e91 320d touring se 2008 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: staffordshire uk iTrader: (0)	Ecu and Cas module questions?? Hi, this is the first time posting on any forum so please bare with me. I have an e91 320d its 2008 (manual)and the ecu has been water damaged beyond repair. Love the car and planning to keep it for a while. Having read many many posts on many forums concerning replacement ecu's I could do with some things clearing up. 1. Can a second hand ecu be used on its own or does it need to be fitted in conjunction with a matched up cas module? 1a. If I buy a used set including an ecu/dme, cas and keys 🔑 will it still need to be setup with coding or programming tools? 2. Can any ecu be "virginised" and what does that mean? Will there still be need for a matched up cas module? (As in both modules from same car) 3. If programming is required what sort of price am I looking at or is it something I could do with ista+? (Recently acquired still getting to grips with it but proved useful to diagnose the issue) Any help will be very much appreciated
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11-05-2020, 09:34 AM	#2
nick46 Captain 338 Rep 640 Posts Drives: Bmw E91 lci 330d msport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bridgwater iTrader: (0)	Get in touch with Jason at BWchiptune. He is a bmw ecu specialist who specialises in bmw ecu repair and also tuning. You may be able to send your ecu to him (if your too far away to visit), and he may be able to repair it. If not he'll be able to sort you out with a replacement. You could always take advantage of a remap while the ecu is opened up! Jason is a very knowledgeable guy and really knows his stuff when it comes to bmw ecu's and tuning. Dont just take my word for it, give BWchiptune a Google and you'll find loads of useful information. Plus I'm sure 'rasa' will be along shortly to sing their praises!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2020, 11:51 AM	#3
gilb756 Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: e91 320d touring se 2008 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: staffordshire uk iTrader: (0)	Thanks nick46, I got a speedy reply and it looks like its the way to go. Would of thought I could find somewhere local (staffordshire) but its hard work trying to get people to do a job when you're specific with them. Its almost as if they only want the work if they can pull the wool. It looks like i will have to rely on going down the postal route....going to send my cas module and my key and have them programmed to a replacement ecu. Got my fingers crossed its that simple. Cheers for your help.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2020, 01:22 PM	#4
nick46 Captain 338 Rep 640 Posts Drives: Bmw E91 lci 330d msport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bridgwater iTrader: (0)	No problem mate. Yeah its a bit of a pain when you can't find something local. They're not local to me either (Somerset) but when I wanted my E91 330d mapped I wanted it done properly, and all the research I was doing just kept ending up back with with these guys. So in the end I took a day out and travelled over to them. Was a long day stood in the cold but well worth it. Is Jason going to try and repair yours or is it definitely a replacement? Are you having the new / repaired one mapped while you're at it? And just out of interest, what's the cost of the replacement / repair? What ever happens be sure to update this thread with how it goes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-07-2020, 01:07 AM	#5
rasa bmw Colonel 243 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 640d sport/f31 330d x drive Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: northumberland iTrader: (0)	as above jason is the best,,and half the price of so called ecu specialists or bmw etc
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-07-2020, 02:48 PM	#6
dave330 Private 7 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330D Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	can also recommend Jason remapped my 330d remotely ,absolutely love it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2020, 07:35 AM	#7
gilb756 Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: e91 320d touring se 2008 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: staffordshire uk iTrader: (0)	Cheers for the contributions/advice on the questions. I have sorted the problem I had and wanted to just say how it went. My water damaged ecu was replaced with a secondhand unit but with a matching cas unit and matching key....the set was all from the same donor car and allowed me to start the car and run it. The other option would have been to have an ecu programmed to my cas unit which would've cost around £600 all in. (Dealer wanted £1800 to do the same with new ecu) Anyway to be clear the ecu from another car has the same part numbers and matches (obviously different vin)but the setup files are different i.e. the model it came from had auto lights.....rain sensor.....sunroof etc which threw up codes as would be expected....there were also traction control and brake warning lights on. Which are an mot fail.....so After more investigation it became apparent that you need to reset the steer angle sensor when you have replaced the ecu which I did with ista and hey presto the warning lights on the dash went off and it also allowed the dtc and cruise control to work again. To conclude if you have an e90 91 92 then check the drain isn't blocked under the dme/ecu housing as it fills with water and if you have any electrical problems after its pissed down check it first. If anyone has advice on other things to do once you've fitted a second hand ecu please put below....
	Appreciate 0 Quote