Need help with ECU

Blackcrimzon

Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong section but I am not sure of where to post this. I have a after market ECU installed in my 370z. It is a NEKO corporation ECU. It was part of a twin turbo kit that I bought back in 2011. The person that installed the turbo kit made a build thread here
2009 NISMO Edition GEARHEINZ/HKS TT build!!!.

My problem that I am not sure what I need to do to fix it is I just moved to Phoenix, AZ and I need to get my car smog checked to get it registered. The problem is that when the smog guy went to read the codes it said that there wasn't anything there to read. I know that the guy who installed my turbo kit locked the ECU. Does this have anything to do with the smog guy not being able to access my ecu? I also had another guy look at my codes and he said that I don't have a code registered to my O2 sensor for my CAT. So according to my car I don't have anything where my CAT should be. (Know idea how he was able to read the codes and the smog guy couldn't)That it was deleted. I am guessing that this was done to keep the check engine light from coming on. I am not sure what I need to do to fix this so I can get my car smogged. Does anyone know what I need to do? Do I need to get the ECU a new tune? Do I need a new ECU? Any help that anyone can offer I would appreciate.

Also I did call the guy that installed it and asked for his help but he never returned my calls after my first call to him so I am not holding my breath as I called him a half dozen times with no call backs in the last 3 months.

SouthArk370Z

Since the OP installed test pipes (cat delete), you will need, as an absolute minimum, to replace the cats in order to pass the test. Inspectors will usually do a visual check under the car and will immediately flunk you if the cats aren't present.

If the O2 sensors have been deleted, they will need to be replaced in order to pass inspection.

You will also need the ECM to tell the inspection machine that the emissions system is working and has passed internal tests - I don't know if an aftermarket ECM will do that.

Good luck.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Blackcrimzon

I have taken the car in to get a smog check already and watched them do the check on the car in front of me. All they do is hook up the machine and then run something and you get a pass or fail. The inspector never looks under the car or under the hood. AZ is pretty easy on the smog check.

I no longer have my factory ecu/ecm. The O2 sensors are still installed but the code reader that my friend hooked up was reading that they had been deleted. Not sure how I get those back. Do I need to have someone code them back in or do I need a new tune and a new ECU?

SouthArk370Z

That should help. Some states are real sticklers.

The ECM has to think that the emissions system is ready and functioning properly before it will give the ready signal via OBD. I'm not sure exactly how the ECM does that but it takes several drive cycles (with everything working properly) before it will give the signal.

My guess is that you will need a stock ECM in order to get the system ready signal - but I don't know. The person that did the existing tune should be able to tell you what you need to do to pass the smog test. If you can't get a response from him, then I'd look for a tuner that is familiar with your ECM.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Blackcrimzon

If I bought a used ECU off of ebay plugged it in and then reinstalled my cats along with putting in some stock intakes but leaving all my other stuff in the car would that allow me to pass?

SouthArk370Z

I don't know. Maybe someone with experience doing ECM swaps will chime in.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

seymore4

Find a performance shop that is experienced with these cars and take it to them so you can at least get a comprehensive diagnostic of what you have.

To be able to register the car there most likely you're going to have to pull the standalone, reinstall a stock ECU, and tune the car on that with either Uprev or ecutek.

Which is better is a matter of opinion and there are fanboys on both sides but I would recommend Uprev as they have authorized tuners that you can go to that can help you in person... Dealers & Pro Tuners

OhioYJ

From what I've read on hear in some states they just plugg into the OBD II port and check for codes if none are present and ECU is in a "ready" state. This ensures someone hasn't cleared codes just before the check station to pass the test, as the car has to be driven some to be considered ready. With a tune you can have certain codes disabled, like for cats, which is fairly common, on these cars. It is my understanding that disabling these codes will make the cars fail some of these tests. Out of curiosity I've been meaning to hook up my OBD II scanner to my car and see if shows ready across everything or not, but since we don't have emissions testing in my area, not a big deal for me. (I do have cats, just HFC) So if you gave codes disabled that maybe what's stopping you there.

Didn't the original owner mention harness changes with that ECU? If there were, that may mean a stock ECU will not be plug and play.

Blackcrimzon

Thanks for the info on this. That does make sense. I do believe that the codes were just disabled. No idea how to turn them back on. I am the original owner of the car but I don't have any idea what was done to the car when the turbo was installed as far as the tuning goes. I guess I am just going to have to bug that guy every day until he responds to me with an answer. I really miss driving my Z.