My ECM replacement (high pitched whine) was denied

[Vaughanabe13]

So what's the status with the ECM issue that has plagued Z owners for a while? I've done a lot of searching in the forums and I saw several posts that said a bulletin has been released from Nissan. Some people were able to get their ECM's replaced at the dealer because of the high-pictched whining noise. With mine, the noise is random and usually I don't hear it, but when I do it's really annoying. Of course, the dealer isn't able to replicate the sound in the shop.

My dealer is at least cool enough to google the issue, and he found the posts on this forum describing the issue. He also saw the posts that say a bulletin has been released, though he looked up the TSBs and couldn't find anything. He said they can't do the replacement until they confirm the problem because if the problem still persists in the future they will get in trouble with Nissan and have to pay the repair themselves since it didn't fix the problem.

Should I have my dealer call Nissan and try to get the issue verified from them? My car is already in the shop for the rest of the day so I really want them to just do the replacement. What do?

[kenchan]

yah that's a tuff call because you say on your car it's intermittent. the car i test drove had a solid high pitched sound as soon as i started the car and was there throughout the drive. the sales guy claimed he could not hear it, but i surely could. it might be the position of where you are seated.

[edub370]

my ecu whine just got really bad lately, but my car is outta warranty as of last year... great..

[cheshirecat]

There's no TSB. The only information is directly from the Nissan Tech line. They have to call and specifically ask about a high pitched whine from a 2009 model year vehicle.

Also, the ECM is usually only covered until 36k/3yr as it's not technically "powertrain" although they may be able to work with you on this.

You should be able to hear it all the time as long as the RPM is past approx 1100. When your foot is off the pedal, it'll usually stop. The noise should be coming from the glove box area.

If the noise seems to be intermittent and coming from behind the passenger seat, it's the fuel pump, which can be loud at times but doesn't necessarily indicate a bad part/failure.

[Vaughanabe13]

Originally Posted by edub370

my ecu whine just got really bad lately, but my car is outta warranty as of last year... great..

You should still ask your dealer. My dealer was saying something about the ECM being covered for 8 years automatically.

[Sh0velMan]

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

You should still ask your dealer. My dealer was saying something about the ECM being covered for 8 years automatically.

Yeah ECU has a different warranty than the rest of the car. Especially since it runs the emissions gear.

[cheshirecat]

That would be pretty awesome if the ECM had a different warranty. Would be interested in seeing documentation to reflect this.

[Vaughanabe13]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

There's no TSB. The only information is directly from the Nissan Tech line. They have to call and specifically ask about a high pitched whine from a 2009 model year vehicle.

Also, the ECM is usually only covered until 36k/3yr as it's not technically "powertrain" although they may be able to work with you on this.

You should be able to hear it all the time as long as the RPM is past approx 1100. When your foot is off the pedal, it'll usually stop. The noise should be coming from the glove box area.

If the noise seems to be intermittent and coming from behind the passenger seat, it's the fuel pump, which can be loud at times but doesn't necessarily indicate a bad part/failure.

Based on your description it sounds like I have the fuel pump issue. Does that mean I'm SOL on this? I doubt there is any way I can pinpoint how to create the sound and/or get my dealer to hear it.

Also, what was the consensus on the failing of the ECM - do they all fail at some point in time or are only some of them defective? I know that question is probably answered in some thread somewhere, but digging through all the info and old threads is getting tricky.

[cheshirecat]

Well, the ECM doesn't "fail"- it just makes noise. Generally, either it'll make noise or it won't.

As far as the fuel pump goes, it's actually pretty easy to replace. It's an hour job. You can find used pumps in the for sale section from guys that end up going FI and need to get rid of their pumps.

Just a solution for you if you can't get them to replace the pump and/or you get tired of the noise.

[Flyguy]

Mine failed two weeks ago. The car has 3500 km on it. It's just dead. Could not even get the doors to unlock. No accessories. Nothin. at least it's under warranty.

[kenchan]

dead battery will do that too. time to get new AA's.

[fitxpert]

I had my ECM replaced and still experienced the whine. Did a little further reading and did a little testing and realized it's the THROTTLE BODIES. Here is how you can tell if the noise is coming from your throttle bodies or ECM.

1. Pop your hood.
2. Put the car in Neutral.
3. Set ignition to ON.
4. Roll your windows down.
   
5. At this point...it should be silent.
   
6. Now put the car into gear. I usually go with 2nd. You should hear the whine start right away.
   
7. Now put your ear near each throttle body and confirm. I could hear each throttle body whining.

I had my service manager convinced it was the ECM...and it turns out that wasn't the problem. Here is a video of the noise well. Car is in gear.

Throttle Body Whine

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by fitxpert

I had my ECM replaced and still experienced the whine. Did a little further reading and did a little testing and realized it's the THROTTLE BODIES. Here is how you can tell if the noise is coming from your throttle bodies or ECM.

1. Pop your hood.
2. Put the car in Neutral.
3. Set ignition to ON.
4. Roll your windows down.
   
5. At this point...it should be silent.
   
6. Now put the car into gear. I usually go with 2nd. You should hear the whine start right away.
   
7. Now put your ear near each throttle body and confirm. I could hear each throttle body whining.

I had my service manager convinced it was the ECM...and it turns out that wasn't the problem. Here is a video of the noise well. Car is in gear.

Throttle Body Whine

Holy hell, that's loud and really annoying!

[Limeybastard]

Originally Posted by fitxpert

I had my ECM replaced and still experienced the whine. Did a little further reading and did a little testing and realized it's the THROTTLE BODIES. Here is how you can tell if the noise is coming from your throttle bodies or ECM.

1. Pop your hood.
2. Put the car in Neutral.
3. Set ignition to ON.
4. Roll your windows down.
   
5. At this point...it should be silent.
   
6. Now put the car into gear. I usually go with 2nd. You should hear the whine start right away.
   
7. Now put your ear near each throttle body and confirm. I could hear each throttle body whining.

I had my service manager convinced it was the ECM...and it turns out that wasn't the problem. Here is a video of the noise well. Car is in gear.

Throttle Body Whine

Ok so thats what that noise is!

I have had my car for over a couple of weeks and noticed this sound when I pull into the garage and turn of the car for a few seconds then it goes.

Never considered it a problem as some of my previous others cars made similar sounds when the engine was turned off for also a few seconds.

[Sh0velMan]

lol.

TB whine is totally normal, I hope you guys aren't bothering a service dept over that.