FAQ
SERVICES
REPAIR & RETURN SERVICE
Send your ECU, TCU or ECS to us with a note containing your contact information and order number so that we can correctly process your order.
After we've received your unit, we will open it up and assess the damage. If your unit is repairable, we will repair it and ship it back out to you within 1-2 business days of arrival.
If your unit is not repairable, we will send it back to you as-is and charge a $35 inspection fee.
ECU EXCHANGE
Remanufactured ECUs with 5 year warranty
Security and VIN transfer from your original ECU included - Just send us your original ECU and we will transfer the security and VIN to the replacement so that no reprogramming is needed, making the ECU plug and play at installation
If you do not send in your original unit for the security transfer, you will have to have the ECU programmed upon installation in vehicle - Please notify us if you intend to have the unit programmed on your end so that we can ship the replacement out without delay.
INFORMATION
SHIPPING INFORMATION
SHIPPING ADDRESS
Foreign Auto Computer Repair
200 Private Road 7869 Ste. 101
Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765
TURNAROUND TIME
Most units ship back out within 1-2 days of us receiving it.
For ECU Exchange, please note that shipping time depends on how long it takes for us to receive your unit.
SHIPPING SERVICE
We ship USPS Priority Mail. Express is available at extra cost upon request.
Tracking will be sent to your email. All packages must be signed for upon arrival.
RETURN SHIPPING
Return shipping is included with all repair services and ECU exchanges except for on International orders.
CORE RETURN
Off-shelf sales will include a return label for you to send us your core as part of the transaction.
POLICIES
5 YEAR WARRANTY
5 year warranty included with all sales and services.
Warranty is voided if warranty seals are opened or broken.
Failure to return core on off-shelf sales will void warranty.
CHECKING FEE
If a unit sent in for the repair service is not in repairable condition, we charge a $35 checking fee and send it back to you as-is.
CORE RETURN
Off-shelf ECU sales will include a return label for you to send us your core as part of the transaction.
Failure to return core will void warranty.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ECU
Engine computers, also called:
ECU - Engine Control Unit
ECM - Engine Control Module
PCM - Powertrain Control Module
EBX - Engine Brain Box
The ECU controls the fuel and spark for fuel injection system.
TCU
Transmission computers, called:
TCU - Transmission Control Unit
TCM - Transmission Control Module
The TCU controls the shifting of your automatic transmission.
BCM
Body control module
The BCM controls interior functions as well as the emergency flashers, turn signals, head lights on most vehicles but will vary depending on the car.
ECS
Electronic Control Suspension Unit
MB629056 - Mitsubishi 3000GT / Dodge Stealth Electronic Control Suspension Unit
COMMON ISSUES
ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR DAMAGE
Acid damage caused by original factory electrolytic capacitors - common in early-to-mid ‘90s Lexus, Toyota, Mistubishi units and more.
As the original factory capacitors age, they start leaking an oily fluid that eventually corrodes the copper lines of the printed circuit board, as well as degrading and ruining the metals of any components that become saturated in the acidic chemical.
Only the old original factory capacitors from Nichicon, Rubicon or otherwise will cause this problem; these capacitors were all made in the 1980s and later wound up in various Japanese brand electronics and automotive control units in the early to mid '90s. This is not a problem with contemporary components.
After a unit has been properly overhauled and the original capacitors replaced, the capacitor problem will not return.
Electrolytic Capacitor Damage
AGING PARTS
Decay of the metals in aging surface mount components - common with 2000s Lexus Toyota models
We often see these coming in for repair of hard shifting issues, knock sensor issues, misfires, and no start/no communication, among many other problems. We replace the parts that are responsible for these symptoms, restoring full function of the ECU, and further replace some of the components that have not failed yet as a preventive measure to ensure that the ECU lives a long life.
AGING PARTS
IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) BURN
ECU damage caused by the Idle Air Control Valve shorting out, often burning the circuit board - Affects Infiniti I30 ECUs, usually 2000 - ‘03 range
An ECU that has been damaged by the IAC will usually still be in repairable condition - however, it depends on the extent of the damage to the ECU. Some are worse than others, but most units can be restored.
You must Replace failed IAC with brand new Hitachi IAC or the overhauled ECU you receive back from us would be damaged by it after re-installation.