[TNDoug]

This has been discussed over and over but I can't find a definitive answer to this one. 1982 ZX turbo now has a green case A18 602 043 2112 (lower numbers on case). I have a parts car- '83 280 ZX turbo that has a black case A 18 603 580 3Z24 (lower numbers on case). The '82 used to be an automatic transmission car. The car will not fire (no spark) with the A18 602 043 ECU. It runs really rough with the '83's ECU. I'm trying to figure out what the correct ECU is for this car: '82 ZX turbo, manual tranny, factory a/c, cruise control, t-tops. Vin# JN1CZ04SXCX628404. It has three plugs on the wiring harness for the ECU.

 

[cgsheen]

Yup, they have different part numbers. Truth is there's little difference between any of these ECU's and I've used any and all of them on my L28ET. You can even use an '81 ECU (which were all automatic) as a test and - permanently if you add dropping resistors. 80% of the ZX Turbo's sold in the US were auto's (their ECU works just fine on a manual car). Use the '83 and figure out what else is wrong with the ECCS. (hint: sensors and wiring - most likely wiring) OR: Build a new engine wiring harness OR get smart and ditch the stock ECCS and use a standalone ECU...

 

[pilgrim]

I have the spare ECU for my 1983 280ZX Turbo sitting on the counter next to me. The case is black, and the gold and silver sticker on the top says A18-603-045. Underneath that, it's stamped 3712.

Photos below. If you need it, it's available.

 

[zmanofwashington]

You can mix and match the 82-83 turbo ecu's regardless of which year or what trans it's for. When they were new I could see a little difference in the accel between the 2 types of ecus but with the age of them now there's no difference. If you need to get one of them rebuilt, I do have a vendor that rebuilds them with excellent results. The only snag on the rebuilds is that they can't replace or repair the micro processor. They aren't available. Funny how that is, the cars are only 38 or 39 years old. Go figure. Anything else they can fix. A standalone fuel management system is definitely the best way to go. You'll get more hp and better fuel economy as well. Z man of Washington

 

[TNDoug]

Yup, they have different part numbers. Truth is there's little difference between any of these ECU's and I've used any and all of them on my L28ET. You can even use an '81 ECU (which were all automatic) as a test and - permanently if you add dropping resistors. 80% of the ZX Turbo's sold in the US were auto's (their ECU works just fine on a manual car). Use the '83 and figure out what else is wrong with the ECCS. (hint: sensors and wiring - most likely wiring) OR: Build a new engine wiring harness OR get smart and ditch the stock ECCS and use a standalone ECU...

Thanks for the info. We're way over budget on this restoration so I'll get a refurbished one from O'Reilly's. The owner can upgrade later if he wants to.

 

[83280ZXT4Life]

Zman, How hard is it to swap a stand alone ECU for 83 280zxt. And what equipment would you recommend?

 

[83280ZXT4Life]

Zman, How hard is it to swap a stand alone ECU for 83 280zxt. And what equipment would you recommend?

Zman,
Id like to know who is your ECU rebuilder. I need my A18 605 047, 83 280ZXT ECU rebuilt. My personal diagnosis, not that I know lot about these ECU's, is intermittent spark. Some days it'll run and another day it'll barely fire. I used a Federal ECU to verify and it works fine. Only problem is, I can't pass California emissions with the stock ECU. I need someone to diagnose or rebuild. Any suggestions?

 

[83280ZXT4Life]

Zman,
Id like to know who is your ECU rebuilder. I need my A18 605 047, 83 280ZXT ECU rebuilt. My personal diagnosis, not that I know lot about these ECU's, is intermittent spark. Some days it'll run and another day it'll barely fire. I used a Federal ECU to verify and it works fine. Only problem is, I can't pass California emissions with the stock ECU. I need someone to diagnose or rebuild. Any suggestions?

And I failed with the Federal ECU

 

[Dave M]

One thing you may want to look into is the signal from the distributor. I had an intermittent run that was traced to a defect in the CAS built into the distributor. Can also be a wire connection at the bottom of the distributor. So before condeming the ECU I would recommend you put a scope on the pins (back probe) of the ECU and monitor the two feeds from the dsitributor.
Datsun 280zx turbo CAS cutout found Part 1 - YouTube

Datsun 280zx turbo CAS cutout found Part 2 - YouTube

Datsun 280zx turbo CAS cutout found Part 3 - YouTube

it the final part of the above series I ended up replacing the CAS, which resolved issue. I considered the sub harness as the issue, but it works fine with a backup distributor, plus I was unable to get any continuity defects when testing doing a lot of pulling and tugging on the 4 wires of the sub harness. Also a visual inspection showed no corrosion or other issue to make me consider it the problem. the replacement CAS in part 3 proved the point as I was unable to get a failure by pushing or tugging while the engine was running. BE VERY careful if you mess with this while the engine is running due to proximity to the fan.

 

[83280ZXT4Life]

Dave,
I appreciate the feedback. After numerous attempts, I was able to start my car and run it for about 15 min. with the original ECU. I died on me once, but after warming up, it continued to run. However., I know in the morning I'll have a problem starting it. Thanks for the suggestion regarding the CAS. When I plug in the Fed ECU, I have no problem at all. The car starts every time. You think if its the CAS it would run intermittent regardless of the ECU?

 

[Dave M]

If you have an ECU that works then the CAS is not the problem. I must have mis read the original post.