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Service department says I need a 4 wheel drive ECU

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by sklwater, Apr 9, 2019.

  1. Apr 9, 2019 at 4:03 AM
    #1
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Hi All, My VSC, Trac, Engine lites came on about a month ago. I tried the new gas cap and reset, stayed the same. Last week, the annunciator started beeping from the moment I started it until I shut it off. I bit the bullet and brought it to Toyota. They called last nite, and said $2200.00. It needed a 4 wheel ECU. My question is, are these available used? If I disable the beeper, will I hurt anything by driving this way? I realize it will not go into 4 Low, but just checking that driving this way will not do MORE damage, until I can scrape up the money.
    Thanks in Advance for help with this! 03, V8.
     
  2. Apr 9, 2019 at 4:17 AM
    #2
    Hyper15125

    Hyper15125 Headlight Retrofitting Hobbyist

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    Im sure you could get one at a junk yard or elsewhere and install yourself.
     
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  3. Apr 9, 2019 at 5:17 AM
    #3
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    You should be able to get one from a yard or maybe eBay. Not sure since it’s 4wd all the time.
     
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  4. Apr 9, 2019 at 6:23 AM
    #4
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Will it hurt anything to run it, as is, until I can get a used unit? Is this plug n pray, or does it need programming? Appreciate the help!
     
  5. Apr 9, 2019 at 3:54 PM
    #5
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    I’m not sure on damage if you run it as is. The new ecu will be plug and play.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  6. Apr 11, 2019 at 5:36 AM
    #6
    Batmango66

    Batmango66 New Member

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  7. Apr 12, 2019 at 4:31 AM
    #7
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the help. The service dept said what I needed was 4 wheel drive ecu, I'm a little confused if that is an ecm or computer. I'm very baffled on why a dealership would mark up the price of either of those parts, $280 or $900 and tell me almost $1900 for part Plus install. Great group!
     
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  8. Apr 12, 2019 at 8:30 AM
    #8
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Hi All, I'm on phone with dealership, trying to figure correct part. They are insisting now is the ECM, but they disconnected it to stop the beeping for me, and its running fine. Would car run if ECM is disconnected, or did they perhaps disconnect the 4 wheel dive computer?
     
  9. Apr 14, 2019 at 1:26 AM
    #9
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Update: Finally got dealership to admit they were trying to charge me to replace the ECM, when indeed, I really needed the 4 wheel drive computer. Pretty sad for dealership service to do this to me. Because if I had them replace ECM, they then would have come back and said I need the computer, too! Thanks for everyone's help on saving $1900.
     
    HoBoDanny likes this.
  10. Apr 14, 2019 at 5:48 AM
    #10
    HoBoDanny

    HoBoDanny Dude...

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    Yea you gotta watch them they’ll try it again most likely. I travel 2 hours to a dealership if I need anything because all the local ones can’t be trusted.
     
  11. Apr 15, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #11
    Batmango66

    Batmango66 New Member

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    Good, glad you got it figured out. Our Lexus and Toyota service Dept. Is in the same building and I’m sure the techs are the same but I’ve had the Toyota service treat me very differently than the Lexus. Lexus wanted to put new tires and brakes on the rear of her IS300 and I called and told Toyota what I wanted to do and their quote for the same work was half. I don’t go to either anymore...
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2019
  12. Apr 15, 2019 at 10:37 AM
    #12
    sklwater

    sklwater [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for info, sadly, I found the same part, at another Toyota Dealership for $140 cheaper, than the one I went to. Toyota should atleast have price matching, between dealerships!!!!!!! :)
     
  13. Apr 15, 2019 at 10:45 AM
    #13
    Benny123

    Benny123 Toyota enthusiast

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    LEDs all around, otherwise bone stock.
    Please update when you do this and maybe take a short video. I'm still not exactly sure how this happened and how to fix it. But it will be good information for all of us to know in the future.

    Glad the group was able to steer you in the right direction.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2019

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