Where Do I Find The Ecu And How Do I Get To It?

[dennisobel]

Hi all,

Can anyone help me here??? I'm not mechanically or electronically minded at all, and I have a bit of a problem that I need a few ideas on please.. I have found a spare fob for my car off eBay, and I have a set of instructions on how to reprogram it. The problem is, I have no idea what the ECU is, where it is, how do I get at it, and what the hell do I do with it once I find it!!! Help please,, I'm trying desperately to save money here, and I really don't want to have to hand over my hard earned pennys over to a Toyota dealer if I can help it.. :(

Anyway, if someone out there knows what it is, then can they please let me know.. Ideally I could do with a photo or illustration.. Like I said, I'm just not very technically minded... Sorry if I sound a bit thick, but its all new to me, and I'm keen not to bugger it up accidently!!

[jonbr]

According to the instructions at http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42141 you don't need to get to the ECU at all. I had a Corolla fob replaced once and the parts guy didn't raise the bonnet to proggramme the new one at all so I suspect the instructions are correct, which are:

Seperate each fob (make sure car is unlocked first)

With the fob side with the Battery on disconnected from the side with the buttons on, press the buttons one after the other lock - unlock - lock - unlock for about 10secs as fast as you can (this discharges the fob)

Rebuild each key fob

Stand at the drivers window and press and hold the lock button for 10 secs & then 1 single press of the unlock button and it should code

[dennisobel]

According to the instructions at http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42141 you don't need to get to the ECU at all. I had a Corolla fob replaced once and the parts guy didn't raise the bonnet to proggramme the new one at all so I suspect the instructions are correct, which are:

Seperate each fob (make sure car is unlocked first)

With the fob side with the battery on disconnected from the side with the buttons on, press the buttons one after the other lock - unlock - lock - unlock for about 10secs as fast as you can (this discharges the fob)

Rebuild each key fob

Stand at the drivers window and press and hold the lock button for 10 secs & then 1 single press of the unlock button and it should code

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Hi,

I tried doing it this way, but it wasn't having any of it.. So now I'm back with trying to find and access the ECU whereever that may be? Should it be fairly visible, or is it covered up in some way? There is somekind of black plastic cover under the glove compartment, is this it?

[sjrainsford]

There's still no point in finding the ECU, it won't help you at all.

It's just a box with wires. The remote controls are coded either by the above mentioned method or another method of opening and closing door and turning the ignition on and off etc depending on what type of remote control you have.

I think you need to verify that you have the correct fob for your model. If you already have a fob and this is just a spare and looks the same then you should be ok.

What do the instructions say to do? Honestly though, not even Toyota need access to the ECU to do a key program. By rights, on an early model like yours then the method mentioned above should work.

[dennisobel]

According to the instructions at http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42141 you don't need to get to the ECU at all. I had a Corolla fob replaced once and the parts guy didn't raise the bonnet to proggramme the new one at all so I suspect the instructions are correct, which are:

Seperate each fob (make sure car is unlocked first)

With the fob side with the battery on disconnected from the side with the buttons on, press the buttons one after the other lock - unlock - lock - unlock for about 10secs as fast as you can (this discharges the fob)

Rebuild each key fob

Stand at the drivers window and press and hold the lock button for 10 secs & then 1 single press of the unlock button and it should code

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Hi, I did buy the extra fob after I got the car, but its identical to the one that came with the car. Its a black fob, with the two buttons one above each other, slightly to the left side. There is a number at the top: RTT/D/X1123, part number is 08191-00880

Do you know how the other method for coding a fob by the way? You mentioned something about opening and closing the door and switching the ignition on?

Hi,

I tried doing it this way, but it wasn't having any of it.. So now I'm back with trying to find and access the ECU whereever that may be? Should it be fairly visible, or is it covered up in some way? There is somekind of black plastic cover under the glove compartment, is this it?

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