How to Pull An ECU at a Junkyard: Tools & Tips

General guidance, not instructions for your exact car. Bolt sizes, steps and tools vary by year, make and model. Watch a video for your exact vehicle and follow the yard's safety rules.

Tools to bring

Sockets 8–10mm, Torx bits, trim tool, a flashlight, a static-safe bag if you have one.

Typical steps

1. Find where the computer sits on your car: under the dash, behind a kick panel, under a seat, or in the engine bay.
2. Photograph the label: the part number matters more than the model name.
3. Release the connector locks carefully. Don't pry on the pins.
4. Unbolt the bracket and keep the module dry.

Before you pay

Engine computers usually must match the exact part number, and many need programming to your car's keys and VIN (immobilizer). Check with a shop before you buy one.

▶ Search YouTube for "how to remove ecu" Add your year, make and model to the search for the best match.

See also: What to bring to a U-Pull yard · Safety and etiquette.