Where is the ECU controller located on the Lada Kalina
So, the Kalina engine control unit is located at the very bottom of the console, between the floor and the heating radiator. It is accessible from the passenger's feet.
To do this, you need to remove the plastic cover, which is attached with one screw. We unscrew it and move the lining forward along the direction of the car, after which it should completely disengage. We remove the cover to the side. Below it we see the following picture.
Location of the ECU controller on Lada Kalina
Types of control units installed on VAZ family cars
- Types of control units installed on VAZ family cars
- What is an ECU (ECM)
- Where is the control unit located?
- How to determine the type of ECU (controller) on a car
- Operating principle of the controller (ECU)
- What kind of ECUs are installed on VAZ
- GM control units
- BOSCH engine control unit
- Control units "January"
Modern vehicles are equipped by the manufacturer with a wide variety of systems and mechanisms that are designed to simplify the task of driving. This type of device is an ECU, or more simply put, an electronic control unit. Today you can even find it on representatives of the domestic automobile industry, and if you are interested in how it works and what kind of ECUs are installed on VAZs, then we recommend that you read this article.
Why the ECU on the Lada Kalina does not work - the main reasons
One of the most common problems that Lada Kalina owners encounter is ECU failure. Let's look at the main reasons for controller failure:
- Failure due to a short circuit in the on-board network. Here, you can get by with little effort and solder the main resistors, or it will lead to complete combustion of the element.
- If liquid gets on the unit panel, which will lead to complete failure. Usually the ECU is filled with antifreeze.
- Illegal actions of third parties that will lead to ECU failure.
- Other reasons not previously stated.
All these reasons will serve as a reason for diagnosing and dismantling the car control unit.
Installing the unit in a place safe from flooding
In the process of thinking and searching for a safe place to install the controller, I decided to move it under the bottom shelf of the glove compartment. I admit, I had to slightly disturb the aesthetics of the interior decoration, but I am sure that the block is no longer afraid of any “floods”. Make three holes in the shelf for 5 mm bolts, so that they strictly correspond to the controller mounting. Screw it to this shelf so that the bolt heads are on top (see photo). That's all, this completes the transfer of the Kalina ECU.
This is what the control unit looks like from below now.
Another photo from a different angle.
If you look from above, you can see absolutely nothing, the protective casing is in place, everything is closed and secured. The only point is that when installing the cover, choose a longer self-tapping screw, but tighten it carefully, trying not to damage the electrical wiring.
We can conclude: knowing where the brains are located on the Kalina, you must always be prepared for their failure as a result of an unforeseen “flood”. Fortunately, my car is no longer afraid of these problems - the ECU is now at a safe distance from the radiator, and its mount, although one-sided, holds it very tightly.
How to remove the ECU on a Lada Kalina - step-by-step instructions
In order to remove the ECU unit on a Lada Kalina, you must perform the following procedure:
- First you need to unscrew 2 screws, the location of the first is shown by the arrow. The second is at the same level on the engine side. Before doing this, you must remember to remove the terminal from the battery. After unscrewing the screws, do you need to pull the block towards the passenger door? and he must leave from there along the guides. Sometimes it happens that the wires rest against the carpet. Then they need to be corrected.
- In order to remove the connector and disconnect the unit from the wires, you first need to: pull the connector lock to the side. The latch is a bracket. I think you can easily find it on the connector.
How to determine the type of ECU (controller) on a car
Throughout its entire operation, the controller (or electronic engine control unit) receives, processes and manages signals from sensors and systems that affect both the operation of the power unit itself and secondary components of the engine (for example, the exhaust system).
However, this does not mean at all that the devices installed on different vehicles are completely identical and no different. In fact, among the types of ECUs (including those on the Kalina used by many) there are an electronic (ECU) / engine control unit (ECM), a transmission control unit, a brake system control unit, a joint engine-transmission unit, a central module control module, central timing module, body controller, main electronic module and suspension control module.
Of course, from a technical point of view, this is not one computer, but several separate blocks, but it’s worth knowing about their existence. In some cases, the assembly may include several different control modules, but to find out exactly what type of controller is installed on your vehicle, you need to dismantle the side frame of the torpedo and remember the number of the ECU installed there. The data obtained is compared with the readings of the corresponding tables, which are easy to find on the Internet.
The ECU on Kalina is filled with antifreeze - what to do?
After the block filled with antifreeze has been removed, its initial inspection should be carried out. For these purposes, it is necessary to remove 4 screws using a star screwdriver. Then you should slowly remove the control board for a visual inspection. The most common failure is the burnout of the ignition coil output switch. In this case, repair will not help.
As a result of such a malfunction, the Lada Kalina starts working on only 2 cylinders, and sometimes refuses to start at all. You can cope with a similar problem in a stationary workshop. There they will remove the damaged element, wash and dry it. The second most common problem is board burnout. It is not difficult to detect such a defect: the characteristic blackening of the board will leave no doubt.
Is it possible to repair the ECU in this case? The answer to this question can only be given by a service center, but experience shows that repairs will not help here. A complete replacement is required. It happens that sometimes the brain circuitry is slightly damaged. If this happens, then the car owner can get off easy. To restore the car to working order, you will need some minor repairs:
- wipe the block with a dry cloth;
- rinse with WD-40 several times and blow it out with a compressor;
- rinse several times in alcohol and blow again with a compressor;
- dry well, otherwise the Lada Kalina will not move;
- drying takes at least 1-2 hours.
ECU malfunctions
The electronic unit stops working normally when one of the chips in it burns out. Each of the microcircuits is responsible for certain functions. For example, if the car windows stop opening on one side, then you need to check the ECU, and not rush to change the entire electric window drive.
Burnt fuse (top) and bipolar transistor (bottom) ignition coil
Frequent signs of malfunctions:
- there are no control signals for the fuel pump, injectors, IAC, valve and ignition;
- TPS and E-gas are no longer regulated;
- The diagnostic connector does not respond;
- melted wiring.
Chip contacts can be burnt, but sometimes the breakdown cannot be visually detected. In this case, you need to remove the block and take it to a specialist for inspection. Often the failure of the stabilizer or processor means the need to replace the controller.
Why do breakdowns occur?
There are a number of reasons for ECU malfunction on Priora and Kalina:
- mechanical damage;
- overheat;
- corrosion;
- broken seal;
- incorrect “lighting” from another car with the engine running;
- damage to wiring or sensors by the electrode during welding.
If the unit fails, it is better to replace it immediately, because problems with the engine will begin and errors will constantly be displayed.
ECU interchangeability on Lada Kalina
I will give a table of interchangeability of Kalina ECU
. This data was not verified by me personally, but by one authoritative master. The interchangeability of these blocks applies only to blocks with factory firmware (that is, after installation there is no need to reflash the block for your engine and sensors). So, in each line there is a block marking, firmware version and toxicity class.
- Bosch 21114-1411020-40 with software B104CR01(02) Euro3 (in my cases it was this one) can be replaced with:
- Bosch 21114-1411020-40 with software B102СQ05(CR06) Euro3;
- Bosch 11183-1411020-02 with software B101CR01(02) Euro2.
There is one peculiarity here. If your car has an air conditioner, then the firmware version must be B104CR02 and no other, otherwise the engine will not compensate for the load from the air conditioner. But since in this article we are talking about a car without it, you can ignore the last 2 digits of the firmware.
All of the above Bosch blocks can be replaced with domestic Janvr7.2 and 7.2+ blocks.
Domestic blocks are all Euro 2, with the exception of M73 blocks - they are Euro3. January 7.2 and 7.2+ blocks manufactured by Avtel or Itelma (Euro2) for Kalina 1.6l 8V: 7.2 11183-1411020-21(22) with software A(I) 201CO56(57)(58); 7.2+ 11183-1411020-21(22) with software A(I)201CP57. These blocks do not support air conditioning, as I understand it. And, in fact, the M73 blocks, which are suitable for Kalina. These units are all Euro 3: M73 21114-1411020-41 with software A303CE05(CF06) Euro3 (support air conditioning); M73 21114-1411020-42 with software I303CE05(CF06) Euro3 (support air conditioning).
Thus, all of the listed ECUs with Euro3 toxicity class can be changed and can be changed among themselves without hesitation (only if they have factory firmware). It is also possible to replace a block with Euro 3 class with a block with Euro 2 class, but vice versa is not possible. All markings are located on a white plate glued to the ECU cover. Next, I consider it necessary to consider the option of replacing the unit with a used one that was installed on a car with an activated immobilizer, since in this case there is one unpleasant feature.
What kind of ECUs are installed on VAZ
The first cars of the domestic automobile industry were quite ordinary and completely mechanized. However, with the development of technology, VAZ also had to change something.
In particular, over time, control of the engine operation fell on the shoulders of the ECM. All injection engines were equipped with them, and with the release of new, more modern models, the presence of an engine control unit (for example, on the VAZ Priora or Kalina) was not even discussed. What evolution have these devices undergone? Let's get a look.
GM control units
These systems were installed on the first Samara models produced before 2000. They could be supplemented with a resonant knock sensor or not have it.
BOSCH engine control unit
Among the Bosch brand engine control units that were installed on VAZ group cars, it is worth highlighting:
- “Bosch M1.5.4, with simultaneous, pair-time or phased injection, which can be interchangeable with “VS 5.1”, “January 5.1.x”;
- "Bosch MP7.0" is mainly installed in a single volume and can work on other systems. Has a 55-pin connector.
- "Bosch M7.9.7", which began to be part of the VAZ group vehicles in 2003. Cars on which Bosch ECUs of this model were installed had to comply with Euro-2 and Euro-3 toxicity standards. The ECM itself is relatively light weight and smaller in size. In addition, it is equipped with a reliable connector and switch.
Control units "January"
As for the electronic engine control units “January”, in this case, too, several of the most well-known VAZ components can be identified. These include:
“January-4”, which, like GM-09, was installed on the first Samara models until the 2000s.
"January 5.1". All types of controllers of this type are built on the same platform, and the only differences are in the switching of injectors and the DC heater. The first version has phased injection and an oxygen sensor, while the second has parallel injection. The difference between these ECUs is only in the firmware, which means they can be interchanged.
Reasons for the need for dismantling
Engine control unit (ECU) Lada Kalina
What reasons could cause the electronic control unit to be dismantled:
- Failure due to a short circuit in the on-board network. Here, you can get by with little effort and solder the main resistors, or it will lead to complete combustion of the element.
- If liquid gets on the unit panel, which will lead to complete failure. Usually the ECU is filled with antifreeze.
- Illegal actions of third parties that will lead to ECU failure.
- Other reasons not previously stated.
All these reasons will serve as a reason to dismantle the car control unit.
We dismantle the console and take out the ECU
In order to directly get to the car control unit, you will need to remove the central tunnel. Let's consider the sequence of operations for dismantling the ECU:
- Unscrew the screws of the handbrake handle trim.
- Remove the cover from the gearshift lever. The facing panel will also have to be removed.
- Near the pedals, unscrew the fastening screws and remove the trim.
Kalina ECU fasteners
So, it turned out to be quite easy to dismantle the Kalina ECU. The location is convenient and accessible.
Where is the Lada Kalina ECU located? How to remove it.
So, the Kalina engine control unit is located at the very bottom of the console, between the floor and the heating radiator. It is accessible from the passenger's feet. To do this, you need to remove the plastic cover, which is attached with one screw. We unscrew it and move the lining forward along the direction of the car, after which it should completely disengage. We remove the cover to the side. Below it we see the following picture. Removing the ECU on a Lada Kalina car
In order to remove the block, you first need to unscrew 2 screws, the location of the first is shown by the arrow. The second is at the same level on the engine side. Before doing this, you must remember to remove the terminal from the battery. After unscrewing the screws, you need to pull the block towards the passenger door and it should move out from there along the guides. Sometimes it happens that the wires rest against the carpet. Then they need to be corrected.
In order to remove the connector and disconnect the unit from the wires, you first need to pull the connector lock to the side. The latch is a bracket. I think you can easily find it on the connector.
