Help with 1st gen ECM removal

Ian82 said:

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Here's a pic of the id code. I couldn't find any through car-part.com. Haven't had a chance to check out my local U-pull-it yard yet.

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Ian82 said:

My 2001 Xterra was recently smacked with floodwater while it was sitting in my driveway. The engine didn't take on water, and I got it to run for 5-10 minutes after letting it dry out for a few days, but the ECM decided to self destruct in the process. I would like to replace it with one from a salvage yard if I can find it, but I am having a hell of a time removing the damn thing. My wifes Civic was 2 bolts and it was off, but this Xterra is teasing me. I can hold the ECM like a sandwich and see the two bolts to remove it, but getting to them is another story. I have the center console removed along with the stereo, I can't figure out how to get the duct out of the way so I can reach the damn bolts. It's an automatic with 4 wheel drive if that helps anything. I just want to try to get this vehicle back to life so I can either drive it or sell it. Any help would be appreciated as I haven't been able to find any guidance through Google searches.

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Mine isn’t 4WD but anticipate it’s similar...I had to come at it from the front removing the console around the shifter and below the radio and the two side panels.
Below the radio the AC has a main down tune that splits into 2 black vent tubes on either side and fun under the carpet. Nothing is holding down the side tunes so they can be moved out of the way. The center piece has a single bolt holding it in place. After removing the bolt the black down tube tilts out bottom first.
After that the two bolts holding down the ECM can be loosened and removed. On the backside of the ECM there is a bracket with a flat fin that slides into a clamp. It’s held in by pressure only (Like paper in a paperclip) and is best slid out of the clamp toward the driver side. Actually found this easier than removing the front screws from the front bracket.
Remember to remove the ECM cable first. The ECM relay is mounted on the top of the ECM and might need to be removed during the sliding process.

please post where you get the ECM and what your experience was like.
I have a 2002 and need to get one myself. Because its a first gen I’ve heard it might not need to be programmed to work. But might need to be programmed to get rid of a constant MIL light.

Thanks.