ECU Question - is there a CA specific ECU for 96 s14?

[ihatesmog]

I've been searching for hours, it's tough since the search function won't include CA in the search. Anyhow, this is for a buddy of mine so i will try and get the details right.

He bought a 96 s14 that already had a manual swap done. It was previously auto of course. The guy who sold it apparently had smog connections because the CEL came on as soon as he got it home (but strangely passed smog just days earlier...). It's throwing codes that are attributed to the automatic tranny (codes like automatic trans fluid temp and others, sorry don't have the codes in front of me). So i've derived from my many searches that he most likely needs to swap in a manual ECU. I saw someone on here selling a 95 manual ECU, but he specifically said it was a "CB stamped" ECU. I know in my manual s14 my ECU is stamped with a CA (and yes I and my buddy are in CA so smog and CELs are an issue here).

The question is does he need to buy a CA stamped ECU? Or will a CB one work? (I've also read he needs to buy the same year - so a 96 is needed).

Another symptom the car's having is it redlines at like 5000 RPM. it's really strange, like something just wasn't connected or something. Would the manual ECU fix this you think? Sorry if this has been discussed, electronics are by far not my specialty and i can't find the answers via search. Thanks.

[orion::S14]

1) If it's a 1996 S14, he needs a '96 ECU...the OBD-stuff is different from '95 to '96, even though the '95 cars are OBD-II compliant. A '95 ECU in a '96 will still throw codes.

2) 5000rpm rev limit = bad 5th gear switch, typically...but if it's an auto ECU, then it's not looking for a 5th gear switch, so no rev limit (back-up speed limiter). ????????

- Brian

[jdm213]

all you have to do is get an ecu for your 96 and your done go to a junkyard and its all certified its not that hard man. make sure it came of a manual :wackit:

[Rabboni]

He has to put in a 1996 manual ecu. My buddy has this same problem. when he puts in a 1995 manual ecu the cel doesnt light at all, but it will still fail beacuse it still has codes stored. Also, the visual inspection requires the cel to flash at initial startup to prove that it worked. My advice is to get the 1996 manual ecu and put it in, then see if there are any problems that need to be fixed.

[ihatesmog]

sweet, sounds simple enough. thanks guys.

[johngriff]

could always jumper the cel lamp to the battery lamp to beat the startup inspection.