While on vacation with my Z in Florida (fromNJ), my engine light came on. I took it to the local dealer in Ft.Lauderdale and after scanning the ECU,an error code came up stating a problem with the evaporating system. Long story short......they had to ERASE my entire ECU and reprogram it from scratch....Supposingly there was a service bulletin out already about this problem.....It happened around 8500 miles and has been fine since......This is the first I have heard of this.....anyone else??????????

Jason
NJ
Base KYO
13.90@101.16
9900 miles

JWT/w heat shield
Straight pipe
Earthing Kit
JDM reflectors
V1
Polks every where
Kicker KX700.5
Kicker 10"L7

NEW TRANSMISSION(4500 miles)
STREAKY WINDOWS(since new)
LOOSE DRIVERS SEAT
ECU REPROGRAM(8500 miles)

 

That sounds really strange. I've never in my life heard of a dealer reprogramming an ECU. I would see them changing your ECU if they felt that was the issue. I just hope there isn't another issue with the evap system that changing the ECU was just a bandaid for. Let's scan your ECU and see what comes up.

 

I was there with the mechanic when he did it. He had a hand held computer which hooked up to there main one. He downloaded some sort of programming from there Nissan computer and then reprogrammed my ecu with the new info. The whole process took about a hour and a half and I watched him the whole time... The service manager said it was the first one they heard of. I will ask my local dealer about it when I bring it back to get the windows and seat fixed....
Jason
NJ

 

ooppss...for got to attach the link.

http://pitstopusa.com/REDLINEGEAROILATF.asp

 

Interesting. What dealer is this? I never heard of a dealer doing on site EPROM flashing and ECU coding. Maybe we can slip the service manager a few fazooles and have him advance the timing and alter the A/f mixtures for us! Don't post the dealer name here, PM me with it if you don't mind.

 

Well, I can atest to the reprograming fact as well. There is a bulletin out for the EVAP having a small leak, what they do is insert a card in their unit attach it to a computer, then go online and download on to the card all of the Nissan info, then they tell it they want the 350Z reprogram and it pulls it up then they take it to the car and attach it and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes while it erases your ECU and reprograms it.

If there is anything on such as the radio it will not do it, it also warns not to stop at anytime during the process or you might fry the ECU.

The mechanic cannot go in and choose what parameters to change they can only download what Nissan gives them, the mechanic has no clue what is physically being changed.

 

Being a service manager at a car dealership... this is very true!

 

Looks like you and me had the same prob.... How come it only happens in Florida..haha..... I had no probs in NJ (with the ECU), till I got to FL... Oh well, all fixed now....
Jason
COLD NJ

 

Came accross this post today, I'm in Florida too and the dealership had to do the same thing with my ECU. No real explanation of whether it was a bandaid or not. Engine light hasn't come on since.