Thread: D2 TD5 ECU - same ECU for automatic and manual vehicles?

You can load a Manual map on an Auto ECU but not the other way around.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Anyone able to advise if the same ECU is used for automatic and manual D2 TD5's? Is it just a setting that can be changed (e.g. with Nanocom) to tell it if it's automatic or manual?

There's plenty of discussion that I found through Google but mostly on US LR forums which are V8 models.

*The ECUs are different, something along the lines of the basic setting are either a manual or an auto.
*If you buy a "new" ECU for a Defender TD5 it will actually be a Discovery 2 manual ECU.
*Either an auto or manual ECU will allow the vehicle to run and function.
*Other setting that need (should) be changed for either auto or manual are done in BCU (body control unti) and the IP cluster.
*You can get the ECU to snyc with the BCU and IP cluster.
*These can be done cheaply with a Nanocom (higher level diagnostics can do it too).
*If no diagnostic tool, then the ECU, BCU, IP cluster and key transponder if removed from one vehicle will work as a complete package in another vehicle.

AFAIK the D2 manual ECU doesn’t have the Canbus terminals/capability that the D2 auto ECU has so it can talk to the auto transmission ECU.

You can use an auto engine ECU in a manual D2.
You can not use a manual engine ECU in an auto D2.

Thanks for the replies and info.

You can use auto ECU in a manual but it's not the best setup cos the auto ECU doesnt have the "hardware" for the clutch switch input so there will be no surge damping on gear change or if you have cruise control it will not work as it should. The best is to use dedicated ECU

In either manual or auto Discovery 2, the harness is there for the clutch switch.
An "auto" ECU (engine computer in engine bay) works fine in a manual Discovery 2.
A manual Discovery 2 doesnt have the added harness for the auto ECU (auto computer under the passenger side seat).

I insist that the auto ECU misses internally the circuit for the clutch switch input exactly like the manual ECU misses internally the CAN link, i think it's normal cos those things are not needed when each ECU is fitted to the vehicle which was dedicated for... see post nr #4 Differences between Manual and Auto Td5 ECU's

i worked in one myself to make the CC work on a manual and to provide gear change surge damping, so the auto ECU works on manual but IMO it's exagerated to say that it works fine

Originally Posted by sierrafery

I insist that the auto ECU misses internally the circuit for the clutch switch input exactly like the manual ECU misses internally the CAN link, i think it's normal cos those things are not needed when each ECU is fitted on the vehicle which was dedicated for... see post nr #4 Differences between Manual and Auto Td5 ECU's

i worked in one myself to make the CC work on a manual and to provide gear change surge damping, so the auto ECU works on manual but IMO it's exagerated to say that it works fine

insist all you like
When I said manual or auto Discovery 2 has the clutch switch harness, I do mean the physical vehicle, anyone with an auto can go have a look in the engine bay, next to brake booster against the inner guard you will see the two leads coming off the main harness, one feeds to the brake res and the other just laying there is for a manual disco with a clutch switch.

not exaggerated...
A "auto" ECU (engine computer) has no allowance for the manual clutch switch, as you say.
surging doesnt happen when using an "auto" ECU on a manual discovery 2.
surging (as in revs go up when you take your foot off the accelerator and press the clutch in) issues occur on a manual that has a faulty clutch switch.

My own Discovery 2a auto I converted to a manual gearbox, it has the "auto" ECU in it, stock map, no surge issue, runs like a charm.