Water Damaged, Corrupt or Failed ECU — Plug-and-Play Cloning Service

Modern vehicles store the vehicle’s identity inside the ECU and gearbox modules. When the unit fails — commonly due to water ingress, internal 5V reference circuit failure, 12V supply line faults, voltage spikes, processor damage or corrupted software — fitting a replacement module will not allow the engine to start. The immobiliser no longer recognises the vehicle because the original data is missing. Our cloning service transfers the original internal memory from the failed module into a replacement unit. This includes immobiliser data, VIN information and learned configuration so the vehicle recognises the replacement as the factory-fitted component. The result is true plug-and-play operation. No dealer programming, no online pairing and no additional coding required in most cases. Even heavily damaged ECUs can often still provide readable memory. Using direct bench access methods, we extract and rebuild data from modules suffering communication loss, internal power rail faults or complete electronic failure. Typical situations this resolves include water damaged ECUs, internal 5V reference short faults, 12V supply failure, jump start damage, corrupted updates, non-start after ECU replacement and gearbox/mechatronic replacement faults. Once cloned, the replacement module installs and the vehicle starts normally.

How It Works?

Step 1

Send or Arrange Collection

Post the ECU/TCU to us securely packaged and clearly labelled with the vehicle registration, fault description and contact details. If posting the module is difficult, we can arrange collection and safe return. We will confirm receipt and keep you updated throughout the process.

Step 2

Module Assessment & Data Recovery

We carry out a free inspection of the original unit to determine the failure — including water damage, internal 5V/12V power line faults, processor failure or corrupted software. Using direct bench access methods, we extract and rebuild the internal memory even from non-communicating modules where possible.

Step 3

Step 3 – Clone & Return Ready to Fit

The recovered data is transferred into a replacement module so the vehicle recognises it as the original. The unit is returned ready for plug-and-play installation — no coding, no pairing and no dealer programming required in most cases.

ECU & TCU Cloning Enquiry (Post-In / Collection)

If your ECU/gearbox module is dead, water damaged, or the car is crank/no start after a replacement, we can recover the original identity data and clone it into a matching donor unit for true plug-and-play installation. Free diagnosis on the original module to confirm the fault and recovery options.

Post-in UK wide Collection available Free original module diagnosis ECU & DSG/Auto TCU

Please label the module clearly with your registration and name. Package securely. Diagnosis is performed on the original ECU/TCU to confirm the fault and whether data can be recovered. Cloning preserves the vehicle’s identity data (immobiliser/VIN/config) so the replacement is plug-and-play in most cases.

How it works (Post-in / Collection)

  • Step 1 — Send or Arrange Collection: Post the ECU/TCU securely packaged and clearly labelled with your registration and contact details, or request collection. We confirm receipt and begin assessment.
  • Step 2 — Diagnosis & Data Recovery: Free inspection of the original unit to identify failure (water damage, internal 5V/12V power line faults, processor failure or corrupted software). We use direct bench access to recover internal identity data where possible.
  • Step 3 — Clone & Return Ready To Fit: The recovered data is transferred into a matching donor module so the vehicle recognises it as the original. Returned plug-and-play in most cases — no coding, pairing or dealer programming.

Common cloning cases we help with

  • Dead ECU / no communication
  • Water damaged ECU (corrosion / short circuits)
  • Internal 5V reference faults / short to ground
  • Internal 12V supply line failures
  • Non-start after fitting a used/replacement ECU or TCU
  • Gearbox / mechatronic replacement requiring identity transfer

ECU & TCU Cloning – FAQs

Quick answers about our ECU/gearbox module cloning process, what’s required, what problems it solves, and what our unlimited mileage warranty actually covers.

What is ECU/TCU cloning?

Cloning is the transfer of the original module’s identity data (immobiliser/VIN/configuration where applicable) into a matching replacement ECU or TCU so the vehicle recognises it as the original. This is typically the most reliable route for a plug-and-play outcome after a failure.

What faults does cloning fix?

Common cases we see:

  • Dead ECU / no communication
  • Water damaged ECU (corrosion / short circuits)
  • Internal 5V reference faults / short to ground
  • Internal 12V supply line failures
  • Crank/no start after fitting a used/replacement ECU or TCU
  • Gearbox/mechatronic replacement that needs identity data transferred
Do you need my original ECU/TCU?

Yes in most cases. We need access to the original unit’s memory to recover the identity data. Even water damaged or non-communicating units are often still recoverable on the bench.

Do I need to supply a donor/replacement unit?

You can supply a matching donor, or we can advise what to source. The donor must be the correct type/part number match (hardware and software family) to ensure compatibility and reliability.

Is diagnosis really free? What do you check?

We provide a free assessment on the original module to identify the failure mode and confirm whether data can be recovered. This may include signs of water ingress, internal power rail damage (5V/12V), memory corruption, or processor failure.

How does post-in / collection work?

Post the ECU/TCU securely packaged and clearly labelled with your registration + name. If you prefer, we can arrange collection and return. Once received, we confirm intake, perform assessment, recover the data, clone to the replacement module, then return it ready to fit.

Will the car need coding or dealer programming after cloning?

In most cases, no. The goal of cloning is plug-and-play: the vehicle recognises the replacement module as the original. Some vehicles may still require basic adaptations/relearn procedures after installation (vehicle-dependent), but not dealer pairing.

What is your “Unlimited Mileage Warranty”?

Our warranty is unlimited mileage on the cloning work itself — meaning the data transfer we perform remains supported regardless of miles driven. It covers the integrity of the cloned data we’ve written, provided the module has not been tampered with.

It does not cover:

  • Physical damage after return (water ingress, impact, opened casing, corrosion spread)
  • Vehicle wiring faults that re-damage the replacement module (shorts, voltage spikes, charging faults)
  • Incorrect donor unit supplied (wrong part number / incompatible hardware)
  • Subsequent non-related faults in the vehicle
What info should I include in the parcel/enquiry?

Include the registration, make/model/year, and a short description of the fault. If you have ECU/TCU part numbers or HW/SW numbers, include them — it helps us match donors correctly.

Turnaround time?

Many jobs can be turned around same-day once the units are on the bench, depending on module type and damage level. Postal turnaround depends on delivery speeds and whether a donor is already available.

Ready to start?

Note: Cloning is performed to restore vehicle operation after legitimate module failure/replacement. Always ensure underlying electrical faults (shorts/charging/water ingress) are repaired to prevent repeat failures.

ECU & TCU Cloning Service – Same Day Turnaround Available

At Precision Coding (Precision Remaps UK), we specialise in ECU and gearbox module cloning to restore vehicles suffering non-start conditions caused by failed, water damaged or replacement control units.

If you are within 50 miles of Burton-on-Trent, we can collect the module, clone the data and return it the same day in most cases.

Outside this radius, your module is typically returned the next working day, helping minimise vehicle downtime — provided you have a compatible replacement unit with matching part numbers and hardware type.

Fast Recovery Options
We offer local collection and same-day return within approximately 50 miles of Burton-on-Trent. For customers outside this area, most modules are completed and dispatched the next working day to minimise vehicle downtime. Postal cloning is fully supported — you can send both the original and replacement units to us, and once cloned they are returned via tracked and signed-for first-class delivery. Every job includes a free assessment of the original ECU or TCU before cloning is carried out.
Common Problems We Fix
Typical fault codes include P1570 (ECU blocked / immobiliser active), P0513 incorrect key, P0606 ECU processor fault, P1602 power supply low voltage, P068A ECM relay fault, and communication errors like U0100 / U0101 no communication with ECU or TCU. Many cars also log P0700 transmission malfunction after mechatronic or gearbox swaps. If the vehicle suddenly stopped starting after fitting a replacement module — the identity no longer matches. Cloning transfers the original data so the car recognises the unit and starts normally again.
Areas Covered
We regularly collect and return modules across Burton upon Trent, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Loughborough and Stoke on Trent, along with surrounding areas throughout the Midlands and South Yorkshire. Nationwide postal service is available for customers outside collection distance.
Postal Cloning
Customers may send both the original and matching replacement module directly to us. In most cases the units are cloned the same day and returned using tracked and signed-for first-class delivery to reduce downtime as much as possible.

Trade & Workshop Support

We provide a dedicated ECU and transmission module cloning service for workshops where a vehicle cannot be completed due to immobiliser or module identity conflicts after replacement.

Modern vehicles store synchronised security data across multiple control units. When an ECU or gearbox module is replaced, the vehicle network rejects it because the immobiliser, VIN and configuration data no longer match. The result is typically crank-no-start, start disabled, PRNDS flashing or loss of communication faults.

Instead of waiting for manufacturer authorisation or online coding access, we recover the original module’s internal data and transfer it into a compatible replacement unit. Once refitted, the vehicle recognises the module as its original component and operates normally.

This is commonly required following accident repairs, water ingress, battery surge damage, internal power rail failure (5V reference / 12V supply), processor faults or corrupted software where the original ECU has electrically failed but the memory remains recoverable.

Secure Handling & Process Control

All modules are logged on arrival and tracked through assessment, recovery and cloning stages. Units are handled in an ESD-safe environment and protected from static discharge and contamination during bench access procedures.

Original data is read, verified and archived before transfer to prevent loss or corruption. Replacement modules are checked for compatibility prior to writing to avoid repeat failures or network conflicts.

Modules are packaged and returned securely, ready to install, removing the need for online pairing sessions or security gateway approval and allowing the repair to be completed immediately.

Typical Workshop Cases

We regularly assist with non-start after ECU replacement, gearbox or mechatronic swaps that will not engage, immobiliser active after repair, CAN communication loss, and vehicles awaiting manufacturer coding approval following insurance repairs.

Predictable turnaround reduces ramp time and prevents vehicles being left incomplete while awaiting dealer programming.

For repeat work or batch jobs, email your business details to arrange trade and bulk pricing.