Would I use ECU testing again NO DEFINITELY NOT
My background
I am a retired Electro-Mechanical Engineer [H N D] with a degree. I now repair laptops to keep my brain happy, so I am more than happy around electronics and its circuitry, why I am telling you will become clear later on.
I have an Audi A3 1.9Tdi which upon investigation (not only by me but by a vehicle diagnostics company) we both came up the same answer “this is an immobiliser fault” so the instrument cluster needs to be sent away to be tested and repaired.
So I did some internet research and came across a YouTube video ECU Testing who have 56 videos.
Upon viewing some of their videos especially relating to my immobiliser problem I contacted them and sent off my instrument cluster for it to be returned after I had paid the £208.50 plus VAT @ 20% £41.70 £250.20
On the invoice it states Tested and repaired.
I was overjoyed I would now finally be able to get my car back on the road, plugged in the instrument cluster connected the battery (undertook a quick OBD scan with my VAG com) and tried to start the car, - - - - result NOTHING.
It still had the immobiliser fault.
So I straight away contacted ECU testing only to be told “your cluster needs to be cloned to another replacement cluster” so I purchased another cluster and sent them BOTH back to be cloned.
ECU testing contacted me and told me that “the ECU is locked”
I was somewhat mystified by this explanation especially when I had viewed a number of their YouTube videos and the website ecutesting.com and seen a considerable amount of their testing equipment and the 30,000 square foot facility.
As an example if I have a broken laptop in front of me on the bench the fault is there in front of me NOT anywhere else, I use all my skill, knowledge and experience utilising my various pieces of equipment, i.e. microscope, various DVM’s, oscilloscope, slave monitor and various testing rigs all of which bring me to a satisfactory conclusion fault identified and rectified.
Throughout this whole saga ECU testing have steadfastly REFUSED to supply me with any kind of report or diagnosis, even though they are aware of my comprehensive electronics knowledge, in an email response to my request “Our test report, however, is the document you have already received and is the full and only format of report we provide.
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This document is written here word for word
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Audi TT instrument cluster re-fit instructions
Upon refitting this cluster, the vehicle’s immobiliser may prevent starting the car.
To prevent this from happening please scan the engine ECU and instrument cluster and delete all fault codes present.
Common fault codes stored include:
17978/P1570 – engine start blocked by immobiliser
18058/P1650 – powertrain data bus - missing message from instrument cluster
01314 – engine control module – no communications
Once this done: cycle the ignition and the vehicle will start.
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In a word FAILED
They suggested I purchase a “donor cluster” and they would clone it for me.
Long story short that FAILED their response “the ECU is locked”
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VAT number found in a very tiny font at the very bottom
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Would I use ECU testing again NO DEFINITELY NOT
UPDATE UPDATE
I have been asked to for more details to better understand my experience.
Since ECU Testing FAILED to remedy my fault, I have since sold the car (at a considerable loss, I may add) the new owner, who has a garage, has fixed the fault and then sold it on, all that within a space of SEVEN days.
I went with ECU Testing because of their slick advertising on YouTube and their workshop facilities, so to repeat myself
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Would I use ECU testing again NO DEFINITELY NOT
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VAT text rectified
21 de noviembre de 2025
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