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TCU & ECU Removal
A SVX owner emailed me (not a member here yet) and asked how to remove the TCU and ECU. He has a parts car and wants to remove them from it and then put them into his daily driver because they seem to be starting to fail. I was wondering if anyone could give some simple directions on how to remove these from the car. The installation would be the reverse of course. I will write them up and post in the How-To Documents.
Thanks in advance.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#2
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
did you give him the service manual? i find that helps the best to locating nuts and bolts
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Tranny goes in, tranny comes out, tranny goes in.....AW ****, tranny comes out.... |
#3
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
tiny hands and good vision along with the seat being placed as far back as it will go!
-Bill
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Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#4
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
Original post isn't about me, but I'm after the same thing in order to install a new ECUTune chip. Sure enough, there's something that I'm missing from removing that big escaine panel from under the steering wheel; I think that would help quite a bit!
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Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#5
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
I did this when I did the Ecutune stage 1 chip. Getting them out isn't that hard at all. But I could only get 1 or 2 of the 3 screws back in when putting it back together. I didn't remove the ecsaine panel.
For a how-to I'd start with the Ecutune installation directions.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#6
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
I'm kinda into the "no fasteners left behind" thing, really.
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Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet. |
#7
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
The ECU bead crush how-to should have the info.
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#8
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
I've done this job many times.
Just slide the drivers seat all the way back and lie down with your head by the pedals. Use a 10mm spanner to remove the three fixing nuts. A head torch will help you see what you are doing. Then remove the 4 yellow plugs from the ECU and 3 black plugs from the TCU. A stubby screwdriver can help because the plugs are very tight. The most difficult bit is getting your hands in there.
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Subaru ECU and TCU Website 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon 1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II |
#9
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
So how did you get the upper nuts back on? I couldn't get my hands in there to get them started at all.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#10
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
I too need to swap my ecu.
I have another used ECU with stage 1 chip installed it. I went to go install it the other day, but looking up at with my head on the pedal I could not for figure out how I was going to get that top nut back on when I reinstalled the new ECU. What kind of wrench you guys using to get up in that tight space? My hand will not fit and neither does either one of my socket wrenches. I can get a normal wrench up their, but what do I do to keep the nut in it so I can thread the bolt threw it without it falling out the wrench? Also, there is a Brown plug, and a White plug that are in my way getting to that top bolt. What do these plugs do, and is it safe to unplug them? Here is a pic of the plugs: b3lha, I think you answered my question for me. I searched for 10mm spanner wrench, and ended up coming across this. Will this work for putting the nuts back on? GearWrench 10mm Flex-Head Combination Wrench http://www.lowes.com/pd_138110-87494...d=3099563.html Last edited by Lookin4SVX; 06-25-2010 at 07:41 PM. |
#11
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
Quote:
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#12
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#13
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
yup, good eye.
That is the stock photo from the 10mm link. Looks like Lowes didn't want to spend the money to get unique shots of every size. I didn't notice it, but you get my point, would that be the tool i should use?? |
#14
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
A flexing wrench might actually be difficult to control in the tight quarters. Just grab the shortest 10mm wrench you can find. The top one, I remember getting to from above it sort of.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#15
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Re: TCU & ECU Removal
I ended up buying a set of non flex head 5º per click ratcheting wrenches, the Flex headed ones didn't have reverse on them.
What I thought was going to be a quick 20min job, turned into hour long back breaker. I had no problem getting the nut on the left side (looking up at the mounted ECU with head on brake pedal, as pictured below), and no problem getting the bottom nut on the right side, but there was a lot of "F***Ucar" going on with that right top nut. Even with the ratcheting strait wrench I could only got 2 or 3 clicks before hitting the bottom bolt or the plugs that are in the way. Lets just say that at 10º-15º per, I was going back and forth like 100 times, it felt like forever. In this pic, you see the bolt on the right side and you see the white plug to the left of it (hidden behind that black bundled wire. That black bundle of wire gets pulled away and is not the way, but those white and brown plugs are..) My wrench is between that white plug and that bolt that was sticking down in my way. I could not tell how the plugs are attached to the that metal that the ECU is bolted to, so I didn't want to just rip and pull them out of my way. So I worked around them, which sucked. So my wrench couldn't move very far. Once I had the nut about halfway off I was able to pull on the ecu and raise the bolt so the wrench would clear it. Then it went a lot faster. (Can anyone tell me how the brown and white plugs are attached? So if I ever have to do this again, I can move them.) When it came time to install the chipped ECU, I did the left nut first. I put the nut into the ratcheting wrench, and luckily it threaded it self on no issues. Went to do that top right nut and I could not get it to thread. It hit me in the head a few times falling out of the wrench and I gave up on it. I put the lower right nut back on, tightened the snot of of the 2 nuts, plugged the plugs back in. I then shook the crap of it and the tcu/ecu seemed very stable with just the 2 bolts, so I called it done. Last edited by Lookin4SVX; 07-01-2010 at 10:28 PM. |
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