Replacing a UCH: What is needed?

[wag_7]

Hi all,

I have a problem with my hazard warning lights, they just will not come on. I have tried replacing both the switch and the fuse but there is no joy. I have the button lit up but the actual indicators will not come on. I have done a bit of research on the forums and it seems i may need a new UCH.

If i get a UCH from ebay, what else do i need to fix and intall this eg immobiliser and ECU?

Will this effect the cars mileage?

Is this a job i can do myself or am i best off to get renault involved and fit a new UCH?

Is there anyway of just fixing the relay on the UCH i currently have?

Can i buy a new UCH and do the work?

Are there any other solutions?

MOT is due in June so i am keen to get it fixed. Apologies for so many questions. Thanks for your help

 

[mi16chris]

Key ecu and uch from the same car

 

[Budgie]

I wouldn't be replacing the UCH- it's likely to be much simpler.

Try another switch as they're temperamental- you could have bought a duff replacement! Check wiring.

Do the indicators work?

 

[wag_7]

I wouldn't be replacing the UCH- it's likely to be much simpler.

Try another switch as they're temperamental- you could have bought a duff replacement! Check wiring.

Do the indicators work?

The indicators work fine! I will try another switch. One thing i thought it might be is the bloke i bought it from has fitted a new stereo and i wondered if it could have pulled some of the wiring?

 

[wag_7]

Update: Just tried another switch and changed the fuse, wiggled the wires but still no joy! Shift+R improves the quality of this image. :-(

May take it to the garage in a few weeks for MOT ans service.

With a new uch and ecu will my miles transfer over if i buy second hand? Whats the sort of cost for fitting?

Thanks

 

[mikekean]

I paid £224 for a brandnew UCH from Renault and fitted it myself then paid £36 to have it programmed. So £260 all in, probably the easiest most reliable way to do it. Its really not hard to change, only need a 13mm spanner and a t20 torx bit to unbolt it from the car.

 

[lemonnobby]

Just get a new uch miles are stored in the panel.
You can get people that redo them i.e. bba reman

 

[wag_7]

Is it worth getting a second hand much and ecu from eBay? If I buy a new much do I need ecu too?

Where did you get it programmed mikekean?

 

[mikekean]

I had it programmed at my local Renault Dealer.

As suggested you could send your current one for BBA Reman and they will fix it if repairable for £100 with a lifetime warranty. I sent mine there but unfortunately mine was not repairable.

 

[wag_7]

Sending it off is not really an option as i would be carless for at least a week to 10 days? Did you buy your new unit from Renault directly before they programmed it?

 

[wag_7]

If i bought one of these could i fit it myself?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181131714242&fromMakeTrack=true

Are there any special tools required etc? Easy job and would it need programming?

Thanks for your help.

 

[mikekean]

Yeah straight from Renault then has to be programmes once its fitted.

 

[Tin cup]

It would be easy to get some one near you that has Clip and can tell you what fault codes you have as if it isn't your UCH the that's £200/300 wasted

 

[wag_7]

Renault have quoted me 26 for the UCH and a further 180 for fitting and programming. Plus 80 quid for a diagnostic which seems quite steep all in all. Any advice?

 

[davo172]

Adam at Renault Willenhall on 01902 439264 will sort you out the best price

 

[wag_7]

apologies i meant 260 for the parts. I may give Adam a call but am considering getting one second hand from EBay and trying to fit myself.

Is there a guide on here? Anyone else done this?

 

[Tin cup]

There is a guide on here in the guides section have to look though the pages, where about's are you

 

[wag_7]

Thanks, I've had a quick look through the guides but couldnt see any reference to much. Can you point me in the right direction? Just ordered a second hand much and ecu so hopefully should not be too much hassle to swap them? I'm in Milton Keynes.

 

[Tin cup]

Can't find it but the uch unclips underneath the passenger dash but you will need to removed a few bolts. key fob clips apart

and ecu is behind the battery in a casing and most times you have to take the battery out

 

[jack_davey]

Mate it's a 2min job to fit one.

All I would say though is, before you go to the expense, if there's someone locally that will let you try theirs to rule it out, they don't need to be coded in order to turn operate the lights etc, but they do in order to lock/unlock the car with the remote fob and start the engine

 

[len_beach]

If it's just the UCH you need, I have a couple spare; I could do one for £20 delivered.

 

[wag_7]

Thanks guys. I've ordered a second hand ecu and uch so will fit them and see if they work. They are off a full fat so should just plug in and off we go, come with two keys and I can swap the key blades? Is there anything else I need to do/ know?

 

[wag_7]

Will my new UCH and ECU match up with my immobiliser? Will i need to use the two new keyfobs or my existing one?

 

[mark123]

You will need to use the new uch, ecu and key fobs but apart from that it is just plug in and off you go.

The immobiliser is part of the ecu/uch.

 

[wag_7]

Good to know, thanks Mark!

 

[wag_7]

Right i have my new uch and ecu but not being mechanically minded i dont really know wherr to start. Can anyone talk me through step by step please?

 

[wag_7]

Wow, I have had a go at trying to remove the old much but f$$k me it is well in there! Got the bolt undone but it wouldn't shift! Anyone got any pointers? Could really use some ! Thanks

 

[mark123]

I think there is also a clip that holds it to the big wiring plug in the bulk head.
​

 

[mikekean]

Yeah there is a clip on the top, you need to pull it backwards towards the dash to unclip it. Can be quite a b**ch to detach it though, i just man handled mine out in the end lol.

 

[wag_7]

Thanks Mike, can you get any purchase on it without taking the glove box to bits? I have asked my local garage to have a go at it but may have another tinker at the weekend? I am worried that if i get it swapped and have a problem i won't be able to move the car.

Once the UCH and ECU is swapped to the new one i have i just have to swap the key blades over from the old fobs right, then thats it good to go?

 

[Tin cup]

If it does work put the old stuff back on

 

[mark123]

Once the UCH and ECU is swapped to the new one i have i just have to swap the key blades over from the old fobs right, then thats it good to go?

Yes. I have spare UCH/ECU/key for the race car - I just swap them over and it is good to go.
​

 

[wag_7]

Thanks guys. The car goes into the garage tomorrow to hopefully get that sorted and for a couple of other bits. Ill let you know how we get on.

 

[fletch8]

I fiddled about with second hand ECU's and UCH's for a few months, it stopped the initial fault of windows not working and headlights flickering etc but then the car would randonly cut out.

I then took out AA cover and claimed on the policy and had Renault fit a brand new one which would have cost £400 upwards.

 

[wag_7]

Hi Fletch,

Fingers crossed i shouldn't have any problems once they have been changed but i will bear that in mind. Literally only my hazzards that are not working. If i find i have other problems with the new units i have bought i will be raising it with the vendor and putting the old ones back in i reckon.

What AA cover did you go for? Was it a breakdown one or more like a warranty?

​Cheers

 

[fletch8]

It was a breakdown and warranty cover, have a look online, only cost me £12 a month and then after a couple of payments i claimed.

 

[wag_7]

Garage "ran out of time" so its going to be a job for this weekend! Hopefully the weather will hold and i can crack on with it! Wish me luck lol

 

[wag_7]

Right, i have finally managed to swap the old uch for the second hand one (with great difficulty). Tried my hazards and still nothing! Do i need to put the key in the ignition? Not swapped the ecu yet as was under the impression i could just swap uch? Any help greatly received.

 

[MicKPM]

Hazards circuit should work without the key in the ignition.

Did you conside4 the fault may be due to a fuse or something like a faulty switch? A common problem is the hazzard switch gets disconnected when people force aftermarket headunits in.

 

[wag_7]

Hazards circuit should work without the key in the ignition.

Did you conside4 the fault may be due to a fuse or something like a faulty switch? A common problem is the hazzard switch gets disconnected when people force aftermarket headunits in.

Hi Mick,

I have tried two new switches and replaced the fuse so I am at a dead end.... Possibly it is just a wiring issue. Before replacing the much I sanded the contacts in the hazard switch plug. I'm stumped. Reckon I may have to just take it to Renault n foot the 450 bill for the fix.

Can anyone suggest anything else?

Thanks guys!