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ECU capacitors

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TwoDogs
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Saturday, August 05, 2017 0:34 PM (permalink)
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ECU capacitors

While I wait for the SW to be repaired, I thought I'd fix an annoying stutter in my 2001 Camry. What I found is entirely relevant for the MR2  and probably every car built between 1985 and 2005(estimate). Electrolytic caps may start to fail (or not work to spec) anywhere from about 8yrs on. All sorts of engine problems can occur if the ECU caps 'wander'. Refer to an increasingly famous thread by a Lexus guy in 2012 for greater detail.
Camry symptom was a momentary stutter/shake when the throttle was opened and only when cold. Once the throttle was opened, all good, and when hot the problem disappeared. discounted fuel supply as top end power was fine. Performed simple resistance tests on the TPS and the AFM - all good. Then Mark from MRC dynos mentioned that he often recaps old ecus, which led me to the Lexus thread. I took the punt and bought a ZD915 solder sucker and enough caps to do both cars and last night my son and I learned how to use the sucker and there were some minor problems with getting the old ones out, but we persisted, got the new ones in and bingo. Problem gone and general running off throttle opening is sharper/more power.
 I will do the SW when I get it back. The only problem that it has is lack of boost 5psi which seems to be the standard amount when the TVSV doesn't do it's thin for whatever reason. (5psi is the wastegate spring pressure).  
 If you have an old SW with stock ECU (doesn't have to be Turbo) and some little niggle read the Lexus post. 
 
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    Carmikey
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    Re: Saturday, August 05, 2017 2:57 AM (permalink)
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    Any chance you can post the link?

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    TwoDogs
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    Re: ECU capacitors Saturday, August 05, 2017 6:50 AM (permalink)
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    @carmikey
    https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/656360-all-my-crazy-lexus-issues-solved-ecu-leaking-capacitor.html
     
    There is an MR2 thread that lists the caps needed. Turns out the same ones still in use in a Camry and probably Nissans, Mazdas etc.  I imagine that some time in the 2000s they went to surface mount ? which would make this task more difficult.
    My Camry board incidently looked brand new, so the caps don't have to be leaking fluid.
    post edited by TwoDogs - Saturday, August 05, 2017 6:54 AM
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    Carmikey
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    Re: Saturday, August 05, 2017 7:39 AM (permalink)
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    Thanks TwoDogs.

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    TwoDogs
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    Re: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 8:22 PM (permalink)
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    Finally put the caps in and I'm not sure but the stock boost gauge seems to be going to the top, whereas a previous dyno run only pulled the common 5psi indicating T-VSV not opening or working. Won't know for sure until it goes back on the dyno, but maybe "ecu cap" is the cause of so many "why can I only get 5psi?" hits in google. I think if the wastegate spring was new, it would probably be 7psi.
     
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