₦airaland Forum

We are a dedicated team of vehicle repair professionals with a reputation for quality of service and professional, friendly approach. As a locally owned car repair garage with a branch in the UK, we are committed to offering a balanced, personalised car repair and servicing solutions to the residents of Abuja and the surrounding areas. Over the years we have developed relationships based on superior auto repair service, trust and honest business ethics.


"Brain boxes" (ECUs), wether for the transmission or engine, are made up of very delicate electronic components. These include diodes, capacitors, resistors, EP ROMs etc. Static electricity, extreme temperatures, magnetic fields or shock could easily damage these components hence manufacturers house them in protective boxes in order to ensure their safety and integrity. Other causes of damage could also be from short circuiting or power surge or flooding. This is one of the most popular causes for ECU damage here in Nigeria.

Most mechanics or car owners are not able to simply identify the negative and positive terminals on a battery and would proceed to put on the terminal leads on the wrong terminal of the battery heads. Wrong polarisation of the battery terminals could result in serious damage to the ECU that could adversely affect the operations of the engine or transmission.

On certain modern cars, the seemingly simple act of replacing a battery or jump starting from another car without following the instructions on the right procedure could result in a catastrophic failure of the ECU.

Mechanics and "rewires" seem to derive so much joy, probably as a show of talent, in using conductive materials, from wires to even spanners to bridge the terminals of a car battery, letting off sparks in order to ascertain battery strenght. WRONG. VERY WRONG.

If this is done with the terminals connected to the car, then be very sure that you will be heading for the gallows with that car.

With this result, the car may develop all kinds of operational problems. Eventually, when all attempts fail in rectifying the anomaly, the suggestion to have the ECU replaced now comes up.

Sometimes, this may be rectified by simply flashing the ECU (if you have the device to do so), repairing or outright replacement if the ECU has been badly fried.


Car-Doctor.

We will fix any merc problems. Call us on 081 6290 7680. Ask for Don. (Mercedes Benz technician for over 20 years)

It doesnt really bother me. I drive a Rover 75 v6 Estate car with full options inc TV. So far, I've only seen one of its kind in Naija. Peace of mind day or night.

Are they still available?

Yes, definitely, regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission.

Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.

Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles , to never. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Changing it more often does no harm.