Car won't start

**1993RT/TT** · 11-15-2010, 04:53 PM

My car won't start and when i turn the key on the boost guage is maxed out. I know it has a bad knock sensor could this be causing this or is it the ECU? any help would be appreciated thanks in advance

**CoreyB** · 11-15-2010, 05:09 PM

ECU for sure.

**1993RT/TT** · 11-16-2010, 01:06 PM

i got it running and it feels just like when the injector wasn't working

**CoreyB** · 11-16-2010, 01:24 PM

Pull the ECU and check for leaky capacitors. The problems you are describing fits the classic case perfectly.

**a2j** · 11-17-2010, 10:17 AM

iirc stock "boost" gauge should show 0 before starting the car, otherwise ecu is bad.

**1993RT/TT** · 11-17-2010, 10:23 PM

i'm just curious do all the first gens have the same ECU? IF the caps look ok i would like to know if i could test it on my brother's 92 TT (june build date 18 spline).

**RealMcCoy** · 11-17-2010, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by 1993RT/TT

i'm just curious do all the first gens have the same ECU? IF the caps look ok i would like to know if i could test it on my brother's 92 TT (june build date 18 spline).

For the purposes of testing yes... But the 93 ECU is a one year only item. The 91-92 unit will start and run the car, but the timing will be slightly off due to the different design cam and crank sensors.

**1993RT/TT** · 11-20-2010, 06:14 PM

i took the computer out and its definately damaged. Is there a difference between the cali spec and fed spec ecu's?

**RealMcCoy** · 11-20-2010, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by 1993RT/TT

i took the computer out and its definately damaged. Is there a difference between the cali spec and fed spec ecu's?

Yes... The Cali cars have an EGR temp sensor. You can put a Fed spec ECU in a Cali car without consequence, The ECU won't know or care if the sensor is there. If you try to put a Cali ECU in a Fed car, it will set a code for the missing sensor.