ECU box flooded thanks to guy who installed sub... help

**A4CE1** · 10-01-2008 09:17 PM

Back in April I had a sub/amp installed in my trunk. I thought all was well until my dash lights up like a christmas tree and i go in to limp mode. Audi informs me my ECU box was flooded resulting in a short circuit. ECU is destroyed.

The reason they gave is that the power cable to the amp runs through a hole under the ECU box. the installer removed the box to put it in and when they put it back, they left those hard to get to screws OUT.

It flooded the box.

I've never gone after someone for money in a situation like this, but in this case warranty won't cover me (see mods list for why) and thats a lot of effing money.

what do i need to do to go after these car stereo people and win? who has done this sort of thing? do i need pictures? please tell me... i really want to have them pay for this.

thanks

**Postman** · 10-01-2008 09:34 PM

Friend of mine had an install done on his 05.5 S-Line. They drilled through to the fuel tank, very minor hole, but it ended up being a big deal, tank replacement etc.

Anyway, he went all pissed off and told them. They told him to calm down, and paid the entire bill to the Audi dealer with no issues.

Don't assume it will be a problem, and if worse comes to worse small claims would be an easy win IMO.

**cgmiller63** · 10-01-2008 09:45 PM

Make sure you document everything, get everything in writing, and take lots of pictures. You'll need all that if you go to court.

**A4CE1** · 10-02-2008 12:05 PM

thanks guys i think ill just document it well then go to them and say basically pay for this or see you in small claims court.

**Quattro** · 10-02-2008 12:08 PM

get the paper from audi saying that water was in the ecu because of stereo install. Hopefully you have your receipt, take that a long with what audi told ya and be like, you gotta fix it.

they say no, then sue them...make sure they know you will if they refuse. Worst case, you gotta fork the funds out now and get the money after teh suit.

good luck!

**bcramer** · 10-02-2008 12:51 PM

Good luck with that, there have been soo many situations like this posted all over different boards on the net. Most of which end up ending poorly for the car owner. Best of luck to you!

Yet another reason why I say people should always do their own installs.

**Quattro** · 10-02-2008 01:05 PM

its your word and dealer versus the shop, this happened to me once on my b5 A4...water came in and flooded my rear passenger seat, thankfully nothing happened, but I was furious.

Sometimes people forget to put back that grommet that they run the wire through, which is quite common. Sucks your ecu fired, but I am sure if it was a good shop they will take care of it.

**extremesport3** · 10-02-2008 01:15 PM

i actually did the same thing to my car, as ashamed i am to say. When i installed my boost gauge i cracked the ecu box and before i could replace it we had what seemed like a monsoon. The ecu was flooded out completely. Apparently its a really big deal. It cost me over 3k to have it all fixed. Needless to say i was pissed because if i just paid the 150 for the install at the dealer i would never had this problem. Good luck with it all man but just make sure you are prepared to go after the audio company that did this because like i said its a big deal!

JD

**Auditude2.0T** · 10-02-2008 01:34 PM

John 3k!!!!????!!!!?? Wow that's crazy. Btw check your texts:)

**TrboPowr** · 10-02-2008 01:46 PM

I had a problem with a sub/amp install as well. I had it installed and during a rain storm my whole car got flooded through a whole inthe firewall. 6700 bucks later they told me the whole electronics of the car was shot....BUT i filed a claim with the company that installed my system and their insurance company covered the whole thing. Even got the dealer to do the job for 5500, do i hear 1200 in pocket? haha

**i3oricua** · 10-02-2008 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by A4CE1

thanks guys i think ill just document it well then go to them and say basically pay for this or see you in small claims court.

Is it a good shop? My opinion is don't go in there acting like a dickhead, just ask to talk to the boss/owner and see if you can get it resolved. My worry is that the install was so long ago that you would have a hard time proving anything, especially that they are the ones that neglected to put the screws back in. April to now is a lot of time for anyone besides them to have tampered with that portion of the car.

Good luck

**LampyB** · 10-03-2008 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by extremesport3

i actually did the same thing to my car, as ashamed i am to say. When i installed my boost gauge i cracked the ecu box and before i could replace it we had what seemed like a monsoon. The ecu was flooded out completely. Apparently its a really big deal. It cost me over 3k to have it all fixed.

damn dude i think you were raped by the stealership on that one. you can purchase a new ecu for a few hundred bucks or so, then have it reprogrammed by a software company like GIAC or REVO. i'm fairly sure they could have done the job for you at a significantly lower price. unless you had to replace a bunch of electrical wiring and sh*t at the same time...