Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Engine Control Module






Engine Control Module (J623)

Some Engine Control Modules (ECMs) are not equipped with a protective housing. The removal and installation of the protective housing depends on the engine and transmission combination.

The ECM - 1 - has a protective housing - 2 and 5 -. To make removing the shear bolts - 4 - for the retaining tabs - 2 - more difficult, the threads are coated with locking compound.






To disconnect the connectors from the ECM (for example to connect the test box or to replace the ECM), the protective housing must be removed.

In case the protective housing has been installed, use the following special tools:

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Hot Air Blower (VAS 1978/14A) with nozzle attachment from the Wiring Harness Repair Set (VAS 1978 B)

Small commercially available locking pliers

Removing

- Select "replace engine control module" in "Guided Functions" on the vehicle diagnostic tester if the ECM was replaced.

- Turn off the ignition and remove the key.

- Remove nut - 3 - and bolt - 2 -.






- Remove the filler neck - 1 - with the filler tube from the washer fluid reservoir and the opening in the body - arrow -.

- Remove the bolts - arrows - and the cover from the E-box.






- Release the retainers - A arrows - and remove the ECM - arrow B -.






Additional Steps if there is a Protective Housing Installed:

The ECM - 1 - is secured in a protective housing - 5 - with retaining tabs - 2 - and shear bolts - 3 and 4 - to make it harder to access it.






The threads of the shear bolts - 4 - (that are not screwed into the ECM) are coated with a locking compound. For this reason, the threads must be heated with the heat gun to remove both bolts.

The threads of both shear bolts - 3 -, that are screwed into the ECM, are not coated with a locking compound. The threads in the ECM housing must not be heated and do not require to be heated (unintentional heating of the ECM).






- Set the adjustment on the heat gun as shown in the illustration, with the temperature potentiometer - 2 - set to maximum heat and the two-stage airflow switch - 3 - set to level 3.







When heating threads of the locking mechanism, shear bolts and components of protective housing are also heated intensely. Do not burn yourself on this! Make sure that only the threads are heated as much as possible, and not any of the surrounding parts. Possibly cover these parts.

Warm threads on the connector side of the shear bolts as shown in illustration.

Turn on the heat gun and heat the bolt for approximately 20 to 30 seconds.






- Remove the shear bolts with locking pliers (see direction of - arrow -).

- The shear bolts installed in the ECM do not need to be heated for removal. They can be removed without heat.






- Separate the protective housing from the control module connectors.

- Disengage the connectors from the ECM and disconnect the connector.

- Remove the old ECM and install the ECM.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal.

- If protective housing was installed, then the ECM must absolutely be retrofitted with the protective housing.

- Clean threaded holes for shear bolts of locking compound residue. Cleaning can be performed with a thread cutter (tap).

- Always use new shear bolts.

Tightening Specifications: E-box cover bolts: 3.5 Nm

Perform the following step after installing a new ECM:

- Activate the ECM in "Guided Functions" under "replace engine control module". To do this, use a vehicle diagnostic tester.