BLOWN ECM HELP!

Does anyone know a reliable source for Canada to get a replacement ECM and or BCM (or full set of computers for that matter) for a 2003 Freelander 1 SE3 V6 Auto? I called the dealer and they say I'm basically SOL and the alternate shop that claims they can program computers wants $125 with no promise that the donor computer will even take the code!

I am currently with a fried ECM and BCM I do have a donor ECM and BCM that do work but not with my car. When I swap the ECM the pre-existing key with engage the starter but it will not fully turn the engine over. I was supposed to go to the donor car to find the key and immobilizer but I still dont know where to find the immobilizer unit on a north american car (I need pictures).

I see full sets of computers located on ebay UK but is there anything else to it than swapping the BCM/TCM/ECM/Immobilizer set? And even then WHERE IS THE IMMOBILIZER LOCATED????

The symptoms are that every possible code shows up rooted to a non-communication error from the ECM. But if codes are cleared with a heavy duty reader (snapon brand shop computer) all is well until the engine is shut off and restarted (going through the self check process and freaking out again)......

So I found the immobilizer. Swapped it all over (ecm bcm immobilizer tcm and throttle pedal computer) plus the chip from inside the key and voila! Thanks for the help

Sorry you didn't get a reply - I haven't logged in for a month or two so equally guilty, but I would have told you that RAVE says ECMs can't be swapped between vehicles. This appears to be BS.

To clarify, didn't you swap the CCU as well?

You seem to on to something very useful here - discussions of bad ECMs on here tend to descend into speculation and discussion of reprogramming, etc.

I swapped the body control module first and it worked with my existing computers. But clearly I had fried my ecm as well so I ended up swapping the below lot all from a same year similarly equipped donor with v6/auto... except it was a 5 door with heated seats mfg date nov 2002 (mine is april 2003). I have not done any programming to the vehicle as of yet but she drives just fine now if not bether. I will eventually clear the TC and HDC error lights from when I fried the throttle sensor.

Here's the list of what I swapped over from the donor:

-Body control module (black box on backside of fuse panel)
-Main computer (under bonnet)
-Transmission computer (under bonnet)
-Immobilizer (behind radio/vent closest to steering wheel)
-Remote receiver (green box attached to top of gauge cluster)
-Key chip (inside black portion of key, careful it's very small)
-Remote fob (fresh batteries help as well)
-Throttle sensor (attached to side of the throttle pedal) *more because I fried mine.... not required.

Ccu abbreviation is so vague. Central control unit as in the main brain or chassis control unit aka body control module?

I meant Central Control Unit. Thanks for the info - it may come in useful someday.

Took the car to the land rover dealer this week to get them to pull codes and flash the computer to deal with what I've since learned are the 2 Amigos (TC and HDC) plus service engine soon light and lack of gear indication on the odometer.

I explained that I swapped the above listed computers the tech was displeased and said "YOU CANT DO THAT" and continued to inform me that my car was involved in a mass corporate recall where land rover atempted to buy back all freelanders (never heard of this).... but it drives much better with the donor computers! I even managed to drive 20km of the 35km trip to the dealer without any issue and just the service engine soon light on (no TC or hdc lights no f4 code on odometer)... i even had the gear indicator showing on the odometer screen... but as I came to a stop then the f4 code, TC and hdc lights resumed and shifting was no longer as responsive as it could be. Still drove okay so long as I wasn't heavy on the throttle to Rev it over 3k for too long.

I got a call back today and they say my problem is the main ecm they want $1700 cdn to replace it but that may not solve the problem. Um..... very unlikely. Clearly by swapping ecm units I ruled out the probability of this error being rooted in them. They must look past the computers and look at the transmission and other receiving units for the nocom codes.

I'm going to request they change the brake switch first then take it home and do the rest of the troubleshooting myself. Next after will be the barrel plugs and visual inspect of wires at the shifter.

Sad when some piddly girl who works front line healthcare (nurse = not anything to do with mechanics) is having to tell the licensed mechanics how to do their specialized job.

To help you, I had problems with the F4 code and bad shifting.
Undo both barrel connectors (twist off) infront of the gearbox and under the turbo hose. Spray with contact cleaner and put back securely.
Remove the battery box (very easy, 4 bolts, 2 clips) Clean the earth in front of the battery box. Also the main earth is on top of the autobox, clean the contact and get hold of another earth cable. Attach this to the top of the main earth Connection along with the original and run the new earth to a good metal contact. I used a bracket sticking up on the left of the engine. This cured my autobox faults.
Mike

It does sound like a wiring issue to me. Especially as someone before you messed about with the harnesses. It only takes a break in one of the CAN bus (data) wires to cause all sorts of odd faults.
I and some others have had ABS computers mess up dashboard readouts and other equally weird things happen.