ECU location

Tiny
CAM854
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
After driving for a little while, my dash lights come on, my radio will shut off, eventually the ac will stop blowing cold, windows move really slow, and before it shifts gears the rpm's will shoot up and then shift. If I continue driving for a while after this, the car will start to shudder. Today it actually died on me after it started shuddering for a bit. When the dash lights and radio shut off, if I turn the car off it wont start without a jump. Is this a bad ecu?

Battery and alternator checked out and are fine. So Im guessing its the ECU. Would you happen to know if its located inside the engine compartment by the fuse box? Or behind the glove box?

thanks
Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 AT 8:09 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes, it's behind the glove box. You have to squeeze under the dash to get it. First, you'll see the ground wires from it bolted. Then, (if I recall correctly) you need to remove a section of HVAC venting.

You know, I have been sitting her thinking about this. I don't think the problem is the ECU. When you had the alt checked, were you having the issues with everything going on? It could be the alt is going in and out.
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Saturday, May 24th, 2014 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
CAM854
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Thanks for the help, I ended up having to replace the alternator and the wiring harness to it also. Dont think auto zone checked the alternator right.
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Friday, June 20th, 2014 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Thats possible. I had a feeling it dealt with the alt based on your description. Regardless, I'm glad you got it going again.
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Friday, June 20th, 2014 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
CAM854
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Yes, I have been driving it for about 2 weeks, unfortunately, it crapped out on me yeseterday morning and is doing the same exact thing. My guess is that the wiring for the alternator is bad or there is a short? Going to have it towed back to the shop this morning.
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Saturday, June 21st, 2014 AT 4:36 AM
Tiny
CAM854
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Also I was wondering about the fuse on the battery terminal, I wonder if that could have any affect on it, and how would I go about checking this fuse? I believe it is on the positive side.
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Saturday, June 21st, 2014 AT 4:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That fuse should shut everything down. If you need to check it, remove it and check it for continuity.

Can you check something for me? Do you have a simple volt meter?

Take a look at these directions and let me know if it is something you can do.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

There is one specific wire between the alt and the battery. It is called a fusible link. Basically, it looks like a regular wire but functions as a fuse. If it is bad, the alt can not charge the battery.

Let me know.
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Saturday, June 21st, 2014 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
CAM854
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2 weeks ago I had a new alternator put in and alternator wiring was re-wired. Drove it for those 2 weeks and boom its doing the same exact thing again, had the alternator checked and it was only pushing like 7 volts then it dies in about 2 minutes. My question is, why did the new alternator only last 2 weeks! Could it be the wiring was re-wired bad? Or just a bad alternator all together? Having it towed to the shop first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks
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Monday, June 23rd, 2014 AT 4:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It's odd that it went bad, but possible. When you checked the alt and it read 7 volts, was the alt out of the car or did you check it in the vehicle? And yes, wiring could be an issue.
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Monday, June 23rd, 2014 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hello,

Here is the location of the ECU (diagrams below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
NKITTENM
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  • 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I need to find out where the computer is on my 2001 Eclipse, and if it is possible to remove, and replace it myself? My car keeps dying, and blowing fuses for no reason. It turns over, but it will not start and it has no spark.
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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The PCM is located behind the R/H side of the dash, but first have you checked for fault codes, npot all codes will set a check light, do this first as replacing a PCM will be expensive if the problem is not located there.
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GARAND
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  • 1 POST
  • 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
I need to locate my engine computer 2001 mits. Eclipse manual trans 2.4
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Engine Control Module (M/T) Behind right side of dash
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Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 AT 11:01 AM (Merged)

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