JHM ECU - "Unable to communicate with the ECU"

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Well I heard back about my car and why it suddenly wouldn’t start.
The ecu smoked itself… (this was a bit bold a statement to make so soon-more info pending) The ECU is simply “Unable to be communicated with” the systems in the car…

…so sad after having just purchased my car to only get a less than a thousand miles out of it.

So I a few questions:

  1. Has anyone heard of this happening before - “Unable to communicate with the ECU” is this something a simple “Reflash” can resolve?
  2. How does JHM usually handle this stuff - as my mechanic is pointing towards the chip and a full ECU replacement because of the chip.
  3. I have a call out to them but have yet to hear back - I have been hearing rumors (even after touting them as awesome, as the Count gave me a call to talk about my car - the ECU and it’s parts when I first got it last month) that they are becoming troubled with regards to the customer service.

I am really disappointed at this point to say the least, as the date on ECU is marked as 7.14.11 which means less than 1 year of ECU life, including my very short ownership. My hope is that they are totally pro about it, call me back and have me overnight the ECU to them today for replacement / repair… that is my hope anyway.

My fingers are crossed…

#2

Why did your car get a new ecu last year? Maybe there’s a wiring fault in your car that smokes ECUs? I’m no expert, just throwing it out there…

#3

Haven’t heard of this happening before. While I personally don’t think that the JHM tune itself caused this to happen, I know if I was in your shoes that’s the first place I would point fingers so fair enough. I’m sure JHM would take a look at the ECU and be able to determine how it failed… definitely possible it’s wiring/electrical.

#4

Thanks gents, I’ll just keep my fingers crossed as I’ve not had any problems outside of a silly pcv replacement.
The car is a beast and runs flawlessly… I absolutely love it and hope that this is just a flukeish issue that will be swiftly resolved.

#5

maybe try reseating the chip? I had mine come loose because I didnt slot it in perfectly… took over a year for it to happen, but the chip popped loose and the car stopped running

#6

Beemercer,
Can you tell me what symptoms you had when it happened, did the car still crank and just not start?
Did you have any gauge cluster fluctuations? Any other ‘stuff happen’?

I’ve not touched the ECU myself so I am still unsure about the chip and it’s socket - did you just remove and re-seat the chip, was anything else required?

#7

^^^that has happened to a couple of people.

It sort of happened to me but not really. I put my ECU back in my car one time when I got an updated chip with the beta Launch Assist file. When I went to start the car it wouldn’t work because the chip wasn’t seated properly. when I re-did it, it was fine. Someone else on AZ recently had their car stop starting up. His chip had come loose over time, similar to what beemercer mentioned. If you don’t follow that video to a T and make sure it’s perfectly buttoned down there it won’t communicate and won’t start. The immobiliser kicks in and nothing happens.

Saying ‘it fried the ECU’ is an easy explanation for your mechanic to come up with. Incidentally it would be the first of hundreds of ECUs to be ‘fried’ because it is JHM tuned.

On another note, why does your 5 year old car have a 1 year old ECU? Is tehre something specific that caused that to happen in 2011?

When you go to start the car, what lights pop up on the screen? Does the fan start? When did you get tuned? Who re-installed your ECU when you got it tuned?

#8

car would crank until the battery or starter died, but would never kick over… no fuel/spark or throttle because the ecu chip wasnt there to tell those things what to do.

and yes, took the chip out, put it back in and it was fine

#9

Just got off the phone with JHM who gave a call and have been top notch - I have some stuff to do on my end before I ship it back to them (worst case). So far, I am very pleased with how they have handled the situation and myself as a “bummed out owner”. My previous “they are pro’s” totally stands true.

Beemercer,
thanks for the info!

#10

When you put your key in the on position, does your EPC light come on? If not your chip has not seated properly or has come loose

#11

Having changed 5 chips with my mechanic, we always use zip ties to make sure it’s well seated and won’t “accidentally” pop up like some others. Not suggesting that’s your issue (I couldn’t even begin to comment on it) but just mentioning it for when you do have the issue resolved, it’s a nice thing to do (we use 2 zipties, one on each side and then cut the extra bit off).

(And yeah, everyone’s wondering why you had the ECU replaced a year ago hehe).

Good luck!

#12

that’s impossible (using a zip tie on the chip). It’s tiny and barely fits in there as it is. There’s a very noticeable click when it’s locked in with the security cover. Then you put the ECU back together. Then you plug it back in. I have no idea where you could put a zip tie on anywhere…

#13

hopefully JHM asked him that. I asked him that too, but no reply.

#14

I’ll take a photo next time to show where the zip ties are.

#15

Hey gents, I am unable to test “EPC Light” feedback as the car is at the shop.

I am most curious about the ‘zip tie solution’ as well. If you have a chance please post photos.
Thanks again to everyone for the ideas, I have complete faith that it will all work out.

#16

interesting, I may give that a shot… or just get an ignorant race gas tune and solder the chip to the board so I wont have any temptation to drive it on the street lol

#17

A few things…

  1. Update on the ECU is that it’s on it’s way to JHM for diagnostics (hopefully full repair)
  2. The ECU hasn’t been replaced and is the original ECU - what I meant by that was the date that JHM did the mod work was written on the back of the ECU. That is where I am getting the “Barely a year out of the ECU” which should have been “Barely a year out of the modifications to the ECU”

either way, JHM is on the case and I expect will be swiftly successful and I’ll be back on the road soon.

Also, I remember reading posts somewhere either here or on AZ about going into withdrawls being without your car. This is so very true, it’s the first weekend since I’ve gotten it that I’ve not taken it out - detailed it and gone for a nice drive through some twisties.
I miss my car. :-\

#18

Update: She Runs!
First, I am not a fan boy. I ‘build brands’ and therefore allow brands to earn my respect. JHM earned my respect and my customer loyalty. They where honest, upfront and clear about the facts and they stood behind their product and their work 100%. There was no bullshit - no up selling, just facts and solutions to problems.

The problem ended up being - “previous owner related”. That’s all I will say about that.

I will however say this, ECU’s are fragile things and are not to be mis-handled. Take your time to do it the right way, one time - the first time. If you don’t know what you’re doing - the ECU isn’t the place to “Fake it / figure it out”.

I learned quite a bit over the last few weeks about my car and am thankful to the community as a whole for all their insights, feedback and direction.
drive safe everyone.

Also - any boston owners on the board?

#19

Great news! Glad you got her back. I’m sure you’ll be giving her a workout these next couple days…haha

#20

Good to see it up and running again. I’m awfully curious about what exactly caused the issues. Telling us will only allow us to help other members with similar issues in the future