# Where is the ECU?- Help Ol' Dad Save Face **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 17, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/where-is-the-ecu-help-ol-dad-save-face/30599 "2009-05-17T19:43:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flopeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b77776/32.png) [@flopeye](https://community.cartalk.com/u/flopeye)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/where-is-the-ecu-help-ol-dad-save-face/30599/1 "2009-05-17T19:43:24Z")
My daughter bought a new remote keyfob for her 1999 Toyota Camry. Ol’ Dad was going to help her get it linked which involved pressing the button on the vehicle’s ECU and then the remote. Easy enough you would think but I am embarrased to say I could not find the ECU. Can someone help Ol’ Dad find the ECU? ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/where-is-the-ecu-help-ol-dad-save-face/30599/2 "2009-05-17T19:46:25Z")
Does the owner’s manual have any information on this? There may be more than one computer in this vehicle. Some are under the passenger seat, some are hidden behind the dashboard center stack, some are under the floorboard where the passenger’s feet rest. Still others are behind the kick panels. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/where-is-the-ecu-help-ol-dad-save-face/30599/3 "2009-05-17T22:11:02Z")
Check the right hand side scuff plate area. Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Removal & Installation CAUTION In order to prevent any possible electrostatic discharge damage to the ECM/PCM , touch a good engine ground with your hands before handling the ECM or PCM and avoid touching the ECM/PCM connector pins. Note: OBD-II compliant PCM’s are sealed to prevent unauthorized tampering with circuits. In some cases the PCM will need to be updated to either update the software or modify a program. This is a procedure that may be limited to the vehicle manufacturer. CAUTION To Remove: Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section. Remove or disconnect the following: Battery negative cable RH front door scuff plate RH cowl side trim sub-assembly Instrument panel under cover Lower instrument panel assembly ECM Removal Wire harness clamps ECM connectors Nuts and ECM 2 screws and ECM brackets To Install: Install or connect the following: ECM brackets wire harness clamps ECM connectors ECM Torque nuts to 49 inch-lbs (5.5 Nm) lower instrument panel assembly Instrument panel under cover RH cowl side trim RH front door scuff plate Battery negative cable Test drive the vehicle to confirm the repairs ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/where-is-the-ecu-help-ol-dad-save-face/30599/4 "2009-05-18T14:19:01Z")
What you need to know is the fob programing procedure. I don’t beleive this involves work with the ECU. What makes you think it does? Some cars have a dedicated wire that you ground to put the BCM into program mode and then others use the radio to get the car into program mode. Going through the ECU, doesn’t sound right but I am not saying impossible.