Photo Gallery «Increasingly important - hardware and software restoration for classic and vintage cars»

Name: MG F 1995
Brand: MG

Since the end of the 1980s, electronic control units have become increasingly prevalent in vehicle construction. Now it has become vital for the survival of many vehicles. However, with appropriate precautions and the right service providers, some tricky problems with ageing electronics can be prevented/solved, as this article shows.

At Bosch, the restorer can save a maximum of 70 percent, but at least 30 percent, by repairing a control unit compared to a new part

At EPS Elektronik, control unit repairs take an average of one to two days and cost around 100 to 300 euros.

The most common causes of defects in engine control hardware include short circuits in add-on parts and wiring harnesses.

Professional ECU repairers thoroughly check the hardware and software before each repair so that they can then provide the customer with a detailed repair quote.

In addition to all types of control units, most repairers can also repair other vehicle electronic components such as displays, actuators or climate control units.

The BMW 850i is a beautiful car - but it is feared by collectors because of its many control units.

The control units of the BMW 850i are distributed throughout the vehicle. There is a separate control unit for each function

The engine has two control units, which also correspond to each other and are inconveniently installed in the engine compartment.

If you want to carry out diagnostics on control units or activate them, you need a multi-brand diagnostic unit.

The operation of diagnostic devices needs to be learned. But if you know how to use your cell phone, you can do it after a little practice.

Modern diagnostic devices receive the data from the control units via a Bluetooth adapter.

A trickle charger is essential to prevent the software from being deleted during long downtimes.

The MG F already has an engine control unit. The stylish roadster is known for its electronic quirks.

The control unit of the MG F is directly exposed to the heat of the mid-engine. What designer would come up with such an idea...

Exposed cable connections, as shown here, are a popular "victim" for moisture and humidity.

Regularly spraying contact spray on the open cable connections prevents corrosion from taking its course.

It is not always the control unit that is defective when the engine is acting up. In this case, it was a defective coolant temperature sensor.

Unfortunately, Peter Steger knows only too well that every control unit eventually disintegrates.