ECM replacement

Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 9,100,000 MILES
Ground cable from battery (negative) broke off complete burned up four coil packs. Do I need to replace the ECM? I don't know if there is damage to it or not. Yet I am repairing all of this myself and don't know much yet? Nissan does not make any new computers for this year and model. So what do I do?
Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 11:22 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Did you replace the battery cable with a new one? You need to do this first.

Burning the coils from a bad ground cable is common. They need to be replaced. Once they are replaced, I would see if it starts. You may or may not need to replace the ECM from a power spike.

Did anyone already tell you it needs to be replaced?

Roy
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
No it is just what I read online. They said to replace the ground cable all six coil packs and the ECM. I have not done the work to it yet, I am still waiting on weather. I need to replace all of it or just the ground and coil packs?
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, I will just replace the ground and coils and see what it does. I just didn't want to have to buy coil packs again because they said it will burn out again. Also, Nissan doesn't make the ECM new anymore. What so I do about that if I have to get one where should I get one?
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
There are plenty of places that still make the ECM. That's not an issue.

I would replace the cable and the coils first.

Roy
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, thanks.
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 2:35 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi Roy, I replaced the coil packs and the ground cable and the car won't start.
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
DANIELLE DUVAL
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Is there any way to test the ECM? I mean to do that how I know but not starting because Nissan wants me to tow it down there so they can do a diagnostic on it. Which is another hundred fifty bucks plus $120.00 to have it towed. Then they said that the new ECM is $784.00 and it's going to be $355.00 to reprogram it and labor. A lot of money.
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, you would need an advanced scan tool that can read the ECM and it outputs.

So, now the ECM is available? The price is high. You could get a better deal at a private shop and save yourself a ton of money.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 AT 10:58 AM

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