Hi,


My details:
2001 A4 1.8t 5spd FWD

Well, I am fairly new to the Audi scene. I did not really have plans to mod my car, I joined mainly for the how-to's and help with maintenance and repairs; overall care for my car. However, I came upon an opportunity to purchase a GIAC tuned ECU for my car for a pretty good deal; under $150. The guy said it is for a AWM motor for his old 2001 Audi A4 1.8t.

The owner says it was in his car but the car is sold and wants to get rid of the ECU. From what I've been reading the ECU's aren't all compatible with all cars. I have been reading around but I am not fairly confident in making a decision with the purchase. I guess I am looking to what I should consider with purchasing his ECU? I know that I should verify if his part number fits my car, but I am unsure how that's done. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

As for putting it in my car is it a direct plug and play or do I need to make the car learn something (I read something about that but was unclear of this tidbit)?


I have done some research but I feel I need a more direct and timely approach as time is of the essence; someone else locally might pick up the part. Thanks!

 

A 2001 AWM ECU should be an -018CH box. If his car was Quattro, you may need to have it re-coded for your FWD.

 

x2 on above, plus youll have to have it recoded if his was auto and yours is manual/ vice versa. if this is the case youll need to find someone with vag-com. but 150 for a chipped ecu is a deal

 

alright so just to clarify I just have to ask these:

If it's a -018CH bosch box, all i have to do is match those 5part no?
Also if its for a FWD/Quattro and manual/auto?

 

Right. If his car was really a 2001 1.8T like he told you, the part number on the ECU should end in 018CH. If it doesn't, then that ECU wasn't from an AWM car and it isn't worth your time to make it work. Ask him about FWD vs. Quattro and Auto vs. manual. Those differences are important, but as long as you know what car the ECU came out of you can recode them to suit your needs using Vag Com.

I would also ask for pics if possible. Tuning companies will often mark the ECU's they put tunes on with the name of the company or "STG I" or something like that. Being a 2001, that ECU will have been flashed as opposed to a physically soldered chip like on the older cars, so you won't be able to tell just by staring at it.

 

Hey you've been very helpful! Both of you.

Alright I'll ask him those questions a little later on today; still early here central time.

Hmm so even if the trans and drivetrain doesn't match mine, I can easily recode using vag tool? Nice! Basically just the model number match.

There's no "m" box or "p" box, etc that I hear about when it comes to S4s for the 2001 AWM? just as long as it is an AWM ecu as per part number?

 

In the DIY section there's a procedure that shows how to recode the ECU for use in your car using vagcom. Quick, painless process.

 

No worries man

Correct.

The "M" or "P" on S4 ECU's is equivalent to the "CH" at the back of yours. It's just the letter designation given to ECU's on that year A4.

 

hey guys, sorry it's been more than a week, I've been busy with work. I just wanted to give a status update.

The guy keeps telling me by the end of the week he'll pick it up from some shop where he's keeping it from the sound of things he's either really lazy to go get it or really busy. Maybe a little bit of both lol.

Anyway, he did tell me it's for a Quatro 5speed. So, now I'm just waiting for him to send pics so I can do the visual look over like what CCA4 suggested. Looking for some type of proof that it was re tuned.

Thanks again guys

 

The guy said that I can look at it and see the chip on the ecu, should I be alarmed? You said I probably won't be able to tell since it'll be a flash.