Looking for MBE 9A4 ECU to borrow in Bay Area

[KnifeySpoony]

I am trying to troubleshoot an apparent misfire, and apparently this can be caused by a bad coil driver in the ECU (a not uncommon issue it seems). Hoping I can borrow an ECU briefly to test. I have a 420R with roller barrels, but I can save your tune, swap to mine, then swap back using easimap. I am in Newark.

 

 

EDIT - I have one in my possession thanks to a very generous forumite

Edited August 12, 2023 by KnifeySpoony

[CatManDo]

It appears the 9A4 is unavailable right now. We had a bad one and Caterham wants to send the old one back in for repair. SBD site shows they are unavailable due to "redesign". My guess is that this ancient ECU has run out of components to build it and they have to update the board to use updated stuff. Could be a real issue for anyone who actually uses their car.

[KnifeySpoony]

I inquired with SBD and this is what they said:

 

"

We have been doing work for a Caterham Agent in the UK who specializes in all Caterhams and we have been commissioned by them to resolve issues on the Caterham 620R and 420R. Both these cars run digitally controlled fuel pumps and a strategy that was originally created for them by Caterham in our opinion is definitely not ideal. The fuel pump was never controlled correctly. This could be the issue you are having with your vehicle. Because the work was carried out for the Caterham Agent and paid for by them the ECUs and strategies have to be supplied by them. We can supply unlocked ECUs but we cannot supply the components and map strategies that are designed to overcome the shortcomings of the standard vehicles. 

So because of above, yes you could buy an unlocked ECU but it is unlikely to be your problem. The reason the 9A4 is having to be replaced is because some of the components within the ECU were discontinued at short notice and therefore MBE have brought forwards the 9M4 which was not going to go into production until 2024/25. This means MBE have had to condense two years worth of work into a few short months. They are nearing the end of the development and testing stage and we are hoping to receive the first batch of ECUs in the first week or so. The first batch is already sold, but the second batch should be only a few weeks behind. At this point we should have full stock of ECUs and there should be no delay issues at that time. 

Initially the 9M4 will work in the same way as far as the user is concerned as the original 9A4, but within a few months the strategies within the 9M4 will become more advanced and software upgrades to the existing 9A4 will stop. So having the new ECU is a much better option for the future. 

Best regards

SBD"

[CatManDo]

Good to know. I am putting together a 2.5L to go in my 360R. I am considering going with an infinity ECU since they are up to this century standards. My guess my thought of running out of 1990ish components was the case after all. I'm not sure I want to run MBE's first batch of rush to press ECUs though. They are sure to have teething issues.