Given that :

the van and engine can not run at all if the ECU fails, or some other lesser
failure occurs ..
 I heard of one that wouldn't supply ground for the fuel pump relay for
example...

and
it's a small light weight part ....
and
having on could totally save your butt, or some of VW person ..

I can't see not having one on trips.
That's like not taking a Bentley manual on a trip ...
it's essential equipment if you want to do any self-rescue.

Scott
turbovans
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: Spare ECU

> At 01:32 PM 2/27/2011, Don Hanson wrote:
>>It's my understanding the ECUs seldom fail..so seldom that while I have
>>one,
>>(for diagnostic reasons) but I usually leave it home when I travel, to
>>make
>>room for other spare items that are known to be more likely to fail...
>
> Was me, I'd carry it.  Subtle/intermittent ECU problems will drive
> you mad.  Given an available ECU, swapping it in would be right up
> there on my list along with unplugging the O2 sensor as things to do
> before you even begin trying to diagnose driveability problems
> (slight overstatement, but fixing it would make this a very long post).
>
> Oh!  You're running an in-line engine, yes?  All my VW experience is
> with WBX, so YMMV.
>
> Yours,
> David