For my 1994 Dodge B250 I'm thinking of getting a spare ECU just in case they'll no longer be found in the future.

1. Do the used ones from ebay need to be flashed to my van's VIN or what?
2. Can I simply plug and play with a used one?
3. Maybe I'll get one from Rock Auto and not worry about it.

 

1. No.
2. Yes, as long as the numbers match.
3. Your call.

 

Re: reply to #2. What numbers must match, should the VIN be flashed into the ECU or what????

 

No, as answered in question 1 the VIN does not need to be programmed in. The numbers I referred to that need to match are the part numbers on the ECU.

 

Okay so the ECUs are pre-programmed to match the emissions package, either Federal or California, within each part number.

 

That is correct.

 

That's what I noticed at RockAuto.com as far as the offerings for my vehicle are concerned.

 

I thought you said you had a 1994.

 

The manufacturing date is 6/93 and so it's a very early 1994 model that still uses parts from the previous year. This happens often in the industry where leftover parts are installed early on (EDIT) in the next year's production cycle.

 

Cool !