Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

I bought an ecu from a guy on another car forum, the thing came from Louisiana, and yeah the PC board is covered in ----, I am supposed to chip this thing for a friend and dont want to give it to him like this.

This is a PO6 fyi, anyway, I was told I could use brake cleaner but i'm not to sure about that. I Know there's that film over the pc board and I want to put it back on if It comes off. From what I've found online people say they use silicone spray to coat and seal the pc board. Isnt silicone a conductor? I dont want to spray anything on there that would short two pins together.


Any help would be appreciated, thanks

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

i used alcohol before but it left a nasty hazy look to it. I used brake cleaner after and it looked much better.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

sweet thanks.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

Acetone to clean any gunk off then isopropyl alcohol to clean any acetone residue off.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

medium style toothbrush. Try to clean the best you can without doing any major pushing. I actually had an ecu that was a rust machine was a dead ecu. Used 3 tooth brushes on it and about 2 hours of cleaning. Worked like a charm. I would be a little scared of any fluids on there.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

Fluids sounds scary but it works. Carb cleaner/brake cleaner works great.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

Thanks for the help guys

If some of that protective layer comes off can I spray it with silicone, or is there somthing else that should be used to seal the pc board, or just not worry about it?

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

ive washed them with water and dawn before just so long as they have a day or two to dry before you use them its fine.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

depends on which silicon, yes there isn't an e at the end, that you are talking about. if you are thinking silicon computer parts, yes they do, but they aren't 100% pure, imperfection free silicon parts. there is a science to making it carry electricity how you want it to, and that is what made bill gates rich, along with sparking an entire industry in silicon valley. basically you couldn't understand fully unless you went to grad school, and then i would call you a nerd.

Re: Cleaning An ECU, what can I use?
 

i also recommend using brake clean. havent had any problems with it