Opel Corsa D 1.3 CDTI ECU flooded with water – refurbished VIRGIN and cloning

The engine ECU in the Opel Corsa D 1.3 CDTI sits in the cowl area under the windscreen, so water and snow are its main threat. Blocked cowl drains, or snow that lies there and then melts quickly, can flood the ECU in a short time.

Below we describe the symptoms, the causes and the way we refurbish ECUs at ECUSale. You will also learn why a refurbished VIRGIN ECU is a safer choice than a used one.

1 Why is the Corsa D 1.3 CDTI ECU flooded?

In the Corsa D 1.3 CDTI the engine ECU is mounted in the cowl area under the windscreen. Water gets there in two ways:

• blocked cowl drains – leaves and dirt block the drain and water collects around the ECU,
• snow that lies there – snow stays on the cowl and, when it melts quickly, the water floods the ECU.

Moisture in the ECU causes short circuits and corrosion. The result is faulty engine running or no communication with the ECU at all.

2 The most common symptoms

After an ECU has been flooded, the most common signs are:

• injector faults, for example no injector signal,
• uneven engine running.

3 Injectors and coils – check before replacing the ECU

It sometimes happens that the injector fault still appears after the ECU has been replaced. The cause can be a damaged injector coil, for example a shorted one. In that case, besides the ECU you also have to replace the injector or its coil.

That is why it is worth checking the injectors and their coils before fitting. This avoids a situation where the new ECU immediately reports the same fault.

4 How do we refurbish ECUs at ECUSale?

Refurbishment starts by opening the ECU. We check it for moisture and traces of snow. Only then do we start the refurbishment.

We sell only ECUs that have not been in contact with water or moisture and are in very good condition. The refurbishment includes these stages:

1. The housing is sandblasted, refurbished and protected.
2. The ECU board is protected with a special antistatic and protective spray.
3. Sealing – we assemble the refurbished housing and bond it with a special acetic silicone. It is resistant to weather conditions and contains no alcohol, which would cause it to degrade.

5 Refurbished or used ECU?

A used ECU from a dismantled car can look fine and still have been flooded before. You cannot see it from the outside. A refurbished ECUSale ECU has several advantages:

• you avoid the risk of buying a flooded ECU – every unit is opened and checked,
• the product is tested – we check communication with the ECU using diagnostics,
• it is protected better than the original – new sealing and a protected board,
• it is a repair for years to come, not a temporary fix.

Remember that refurbishment does not make the ECU waterproof. If the cause of the flooding remains, the problem may come back. Remove it before fitting (see the section “How to protect the ECU from flooding?”).

6 Fitting the VIRGIN version step by step

Our ECUs are prepared in the VIRGIN version. The programming is the same as for a new ECU:

1. Fit the ECU in the car.
2. Connect the Tech-2 or OP-COM diagnostic tool.
3. Perform the initialisation, that is, pair the ECU with the car.
4. Enter the Car Pass of your own car, in which the ECU is being fitted.

The ECU stores the immobiliser data, the VIN and the car key code. As a result it works like a factory module.

7 ECU cloning

Instead of the VIRGIN version you can choose cloning. It means copying the data from your old ECU to the refurbished one. There are two options:

• send us your old ECU – we open it, read the data in boot mode and then clone it,
• send us just the files – the data read from your old ECU: EEPROM, FLASH and MPC.

After cloning, the ECU works with your car’s data. We do the cloning at the same price as the VIRGIN version.

8 Matching by VIN number

We can match the ECU to your car by VIN number. For number 55568385 the VIN is required. This is the service version, that is, an ECU fitted by a service workshop. Knowing the VIN, we select the right software for this version.

9 Extra options: EGR OFF, DPF OFF, tuning

On request we carry out extra, paid modifications:

• EGR OFF,
• DPF OFF – only in cars with a DPF filter,
• ECU tuning.

Not every Corsa D has a DPF filter. The DPF OFF option applies only to cars that have one. Modifications of emission systems may only be used where they comply with the law of the country in which the vehicle is used.

10 The most popular ECUs for the Corsa D 1.3

We most often sell ECUs marked with the codes KZ and CN. Before buying, compare the full numbers with the label of your original ECU. The model list is not exhaustive, and the numbers decide compatibility.

Not sure which number fits? Send a photo of your ECU label to sale@ecusale.com. We will check compatibility before you buy.

11 Price of a refurbished ECU

A refurbished VIRGIN ECU, ready to fit, costs from 190 to 230 euro, depending on the version. We do cloning at the same price. The current price is shown on the page of the chosen product.

12 How to protect the ECU from flooding?

A refurbished ECU alone is not enough if the cause of the flooding remains. Before fitting and afterwards:

• check and clean the cowl drains,
• remove snow from the cowl before it starts to melt,
• fit the factory ECU covers,
• check the connectors for moisture and corrosion.

13 Frequently asked questions