I have a 03 purchased 4/03. Is it appropriate to ask the dealer for a software upgrade for the stock ECU? Is new software available that will improve the way the engine runs?

 

Well.. I posted this a few months ago. My "Z" was a pre-order delivered in Sept 2002 with a bulid date of July 2002. The owner of the dealership I bought the car from, who is a close friend, advised me there are several up-dates for the ECU. He had up-dated his 2002 pathfinder and it made quite a difference.

I brought my car in and he hooked the Consult II computer up to see which version I had. I had the origional version which was Nissan part #23710-CD000. He then proceeded to up-load the latest version Nissan part # 23710-CD002. It took about 10 minutes. I have been totally amazed at dfferent the car feels. It has has much more low end pick-up and sounds totally different. It was worth it for me. Your car might have a later version installed. If you can get the dealer to tell you which version you have you can proceed from there..

I had this done at 15,600 miles. The car runs like a totally different car now..

He didn't charge me for the up-date. I understand that a few people asked there dealers about this and the refused to do it saying if there was nothing wrong, they didn't want to fool with the ECU.

Good Luck..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY 16,911 miles since Sept 17,2002

 

Regarding Your question on the ecu update there are no updates that i have heard of between the 03 and 04 Z's. But tommorow i will look further into it and give you a for sure answer.

 

I have been told by the dealership that Nissan states there is no ECU software upgrade available.

 

Well.. I can tell you that is an outright lie. There have been updates for all Nissan models. My friend showed me the files direct from Nissan.

I suggest you deal with another dealer. I would not trust them at all..


Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY 16,911 miles since Sept 17,2002

 

I think you are right. How could there not be an improvement in the software after a year? I asked three people at the dealer and they were consistent in their response. I think I will try another dealer.....

 

HHMmm. This is actually a good point.

An ECU upgrade should fall under your warrenty and should be a MUST to be upgraded as they fix bugs in the software.

And trust me on this; all software will have bugs...

I'll find out what my dealer's comment is.

 

Well i just am saying this because i looked into for ecu updates and there is none for the 03 350z i know this because i am a tech for nissan im just tryin to help you out, so you don't go to every dealer in a 100 mile radius looking for updates. And there are updates for other nissan ecu's but there not updates for performance reasons they have ecu's updates for numbers of reasons exp. emmisions, fuek economy and so on.

 

fuek=Fuel

 

Thats exactly what i was trying to explain. Thats why we have ecu reprograms. For problems with the old program so that they fix the bugs and give us an update to reprogram the ecu's.

 

We should track down the programmers and brib them into a power upgrade...

 

yep there are ECU upgrades for all nissan models 2000 and newer, theres a TSB for it, but is only supposed to be performed if theres a problem. obviously there is or else K2we wouldnt have had it done

 

how come nobody ever nows this stuff for sure.. I mean jeesh this forum is worldwide

 

KJY9 had his ECU reflash for free at the Dealership, with updated software

 

Well.. enough is enough.. I had no problems with my car. As I said, the dealership I bought my "Z" from is owned by the family of a very old friend. he oversees the parts & service department oper. He has made me aware of many things Nissan will never tell the end user.. This stuff is for the dealerships ONLY.. There have been 2 updates for the ECU since the original 2003 350Z was released. He asked ME if i wanted an update.. I didn't ask for one. By installing the latest version, my car is totally different.. It now has low end pick-up like it never had before.. It feels like a totally different car. It's 100% more fun to drive..

Again.. the original version in my car was Nissan part #23710-CD000
I now have Nissan part # 23710-CD002 installed..

If your dealer tells you there are no updates, he's full of ****. (pardon my french) I always thought Insurance salesmen were the worst but I now realize car dealers/salesmen top them. They will tell you outright lies to make a sale.

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY 16,939 miles since Sept 17,2002

 

He may have, but if it's not available to the rest of us it doesn't exist.

 

Vic, If the dealership has it, which they do, it is there for the car owner. That's the only reason.. It seems most dealers are just to lazy to do this 5 minute up-date. But telling you it dosen't exist is pure baloney.. I'm sorry..

A friend brought his 2 year old Maxima into another dealer locally and asked about ECU updtes. They told him there were 4.. and they would be happy to update his car for free.. Now.. That's an honest dealer.. Why can't they all be like that..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY 16,939 miles xince Sept 17,2003

 

OK k2we, I have a decent relationship with my dealership, I'll give it a try...

 

and thanks for the part numbers

 

The dealer I bought my car from wants to charge me $80 for the reflash and afterwards they can no longer warranty the componenets 'related' to the ECU....
What would you guys recommend I do?