How to Install Dicktator ECU - Wiring & Sensors Guide 

Thanks bro, glad you enjoy the content 😉

Hi Shenley, Thanks , anything to help the community and the DIY guys.

Hi Krishna, Glad it was helpful!

@@RisingBoostYT could you do a video on how to go about adjusting timing as you tune?

Hi, you have to send your ecu back to dicktator and pay a fee for them to activate it for you. I can't remember, but i think it is like R300

I'm glad you found it helpful

Hi Tyrone, I run mine like this - battery +12v to relay input (30) - relay output (+12v) to vtec solenoid (87) - relay trigger to (key on) ignition +12v (86) - relay negative (85) to Dicktator output. this way the dicktator negative trigger the relay and send battery 12v to solenoid.

@@RisingBoostYTthanks

Hi Sfiso, Glad you found it helpful!

@misfitcustoms4131 sounds like a air/fuel ratio issue, is your coolant and air temp sensors connected and calibrated correctly? The temp compensation setup could be messing up your AFR once hot. Or if not connected it can have the same effect as it will not compensate for temps

@@RisingBoostYT thank you so much I do have the temp sensor connected but not the air but I will have a look and see if I can plug it in to my laptop

Yes, plug it into your laptop and see if the coolant temps read normal, also look at the compensation setup, make sure its not crazy. The default setup normally works good.

@@RisingBoostYT thanks I really appreciate it 🙏🏻

Hi Bro, working on that now, I am also itching to take it to the dyno for a tune, but currently waiting on some parts. but the dyno video is coming soon

Hi, yes it can work on that motor. your motor has "coil on plug" so you need to look for your crank position sensor trigger wheel, count the teeth on the trigger wheel and buy the corresponding dicktator ecu. example: 60-2 trigger wheel / buy the dicktator 60-2. but it will need to be fitted and tuned by a professional as there is no "plug n play" options available.

Great question. Answer is "it does not." This ecu uses batch fire, so it fires all 4 injectors at the same time twice per rotation, the dizzy mechanically sends spark to the correct plug. This is a very basic ecu hence why it is $150 compared to a proper ecu that can cost $1000+

Hi, it depends on the ignition system, if it has a dizzy, use STD dicktator, if it has a single coil with 4 outputs, use wasted spark dicktator, if its has coil on plug, look for your pickup wheel and buy the same ecu, example if you have a 60-2 pickup on the motor, buy a 60-2 Dicktator

Hi Musa, yes. Computer box for the engine so I can tune it to work with the turbo.

@@RisingBoostYT ok thank you so much

Hi Ish, the relay that comes with the dicktator wiring near where it plugs into the ecu is for the feul pump, it should come on for a few seconds once you key on and then it will come one again if it sees RPM, so when you are cranking the motor. If no feul makes it to the front you may have a blocked feul filter or feul lines.

Hi Sash, yes sadly, I think they charge 850 to activate it. I did it on one of mine, now it shows on the data screen when I press the button.

@@ethansingh5303 hi, you have 2 options with rev counter, leave the original wiring for rev counter or use the dicktator rev counter output directly to your cluster

@@RisingBoostYT need more help how would I find out which cabel is the rev gauge on the old ecu plug

If it is the same model box, then yes. The dicktator STD has fewer wires than the "dicktator 36-2" for example. your dicktator box has a lifetime warranty, you can sent it to them, they will repair it for free unless you caused the damage yourself. also keep in mind a new box won't have a tune on it, so you need to copy over the tune or get it re-tuned.

Hi Gift, I don't know the BMW engines that well, but the dicktator is a good option because it's cheap to buy, fit and have it tuned. It's very basic but can do the job, choosing the correct one is based on your motors ignition setup, single coil with dizzy takes the "STD" if you have multi coils (2) you can get the wasted spark, if you have 2 or more coils you can use 36-1. Also look at your trigger wheels, if they are already let's say 36-1 it will be easy to use a matching ecu. Download the manual from dicktator and check the diagram at the back that helps you choose the correct ecu.

Hi Dd, yes, but not with the STD model, you must get the wasted spark model, then it will work with dual coil

Hi Johannes, no sadly not, the only communication is a old-school RS232 port that communicate to windows pc. It does have a live data view page and offer data logging while connected to a pc/laptop

If it has a distributor the dicktator STD can run it, if its wasted spark you need a wasted spark dicktator box

Hi Gerrit, I don't think dicktator have a ecu for diesel engines, look on the website for the resellers, they can normally advise and do installs. www.dicktator.co.za/dealer-network/

Hi bro, not sure but if it has 1 coil and a dizzy with plug wires going to each spark plug it will work

???

Hi Razeen, yes, the board has 4 holes in it. Poke the wire ends into the hole and solder both sides. Fold wire end double so it goes into the holes firmly

Shot buddy...so from there does it goes to the dizzy

Yes, after the Mag adapter it goes to the dizzy/pickup (the mag adapter and pickup sensor should not be far apart) also only magnetic sensors require a mag adapter.

Thanks buddy another quick it will i need a laptop to get the car to start

Hi Paul, good idea, I will look into doing a dicktator setup video, perhaps also street tuning.

Hi bud, very good point, I also can not justify a $1000+ ecu to run a single cam, with the alternator my car has a universal Bosch alternator that can work without the ecu signal. But you are correct, stock it does have a ecu wire, I am not sure what will happen if you do not run it. But most people keep the stock ecu in place for some oem functions, my car did not come with a stock ecu. Dicktator is good for the price, but keep in mind it does not have any safety features apart from a Rev limiter, it is batch fire on the injectors. No support, but like you said, the software is super basic, I'm sure any tuner will be able to tune it for you. But you must know how to set up the ignition settings as that can damage the coil and module if the setup is wrong.

@@RisingBoostYT could you send me a link or something to the universal bosch alternator you used? just in case I end up needing to buy one for my project. Also did you have to modify anything to get this alternator to work or was it direct bolt in?

Hi, no, the dicktator box can not use MAF or lambda, it can only use the 3 pin 5v TPS and a hose from the intake to the ecu box for MAP. You need to find the intake temp sensor or pins if they are build into the throttle body. But it will run without temp

@@RisingBoostYT hi thanks man, I'm busy with converting from electronic acceleration to cable, I manage to start the car with selection of the map sensor setting but I just want to make sure that the air/fuel mixture is correct. Don't want it to be too rich/lean...

Does the air temp connect to the TPS?

Hi, on most cars, there will be a separate temp sensor on the intake system, i don't know the punto motor, but i dont believe it will be part of the MAP or throttle body. When it comes to lean or rich, you have to get it dyno tuned so they can set the feul map for you its not so easy to guess. Alternatively if you have a wideband 02 sensor and gauge or you can see the air feul ratio using the oem ecu and sensors you may be able to make adjustments till it's close, but it is probably 40 blocks of values to try and "street tune"

Hi, no, it does not work on diesel

Hi bro, the relay that clicks is for the feul pump, it should click on when you key it on and then click off after a few seconds, it will click on again if the ecu sees 250rpm, the green light is the injector puls and the yellow is the trigger wheel signal. So yes they should both flicker when the car is on.

Hi, it should be possible yes, but the shipping will be expensive. also you won't have support and if you have EU regulations relating to ECU's, this unit possibly won't comply. otherwise you can visit their website to enquire. "dicktator.co.za"

Hi Conroy, did the car run before? Did you just change the wiring loom? It sounds like it is overfeuling if smoke is coming out the TB as it is probably petrol vapor

@@RisingBoostYT the car was running fine, definitely overfuelling yes, but I drove to the mall and after the shopping the car started once but died before I could engage gears... After that it was just cranking till this day, I changed the harness because mine was a bit rotten, put new magnetic converter in and after cranking it 3 times the coil burned... Top input point On a MP9 Coil.. So now I don't know why it did that and why it was not starting, prime pump goes on when I switch the ignition on, I'm confused now...

If it burned the coil it's normally due to incorrect settings on the rising/falling edge. Did you check spark.?

@@RisingBoostYT yes it had spark with the old coil before it burned but I will buy a new one today and try again... But I will let you know if I managed or the progress at least, cause it was driving fine all along..

when you fit the new coil, key on the car without starting, touch the coil housing, feel if it heats up. if it is heating up it will fail again.

Thanks bro, sadly I work full time so I don't have time to make one, however you also need other wires like alternator and cluster wiring, they not part of the dictator wires, also you need to get a loom to get the plugs you need, so either way you will need to get a loom, lucky a D16 loom is very similar to the B16 loom so you can just get a Dseries loom and make it work, wire in the dicktator and keep the Dseries ecu in place

Hi fortune, short answer is yes, but if there is something els wrong with the engine it will not fix it, if it is your ECU or wiring it may fix it. But keep in mind the cost for the dictator ecu, having it installed and tuned for the car, the cost will add up, you may want to try and get a stock ecu from a junkyard first. Does your car have a check engine light on the dash? If so you can scan your car to find out that is wrong, if a motor jumps cam timing it will have very bad throttle response.

@@RisingBoostYT Many thanks. I changed ECU, wiring harness, throttle body, and accelerator pedal without success. Therefore I am thinking to forget about repeating this effort over and over again. The scanners keep showing TPS error codes.

@@RisingBoostYT The car cannot move at all. Starts fine but does not rev when you press accelerator pedal.

the newer cars have a TPS sensor by the pedal inside the car, sounds like that? pull off your air cleaner pipe, start the car and press the accelerator, at the same time check if the throttle body plate opens or not. if not it is the TPS or electronic throttle body. the dictator unit won't necessarily fix a TPS issue if the TPS works electronically.

@@RisingBoostYT Thanks for the advise. I am sorry for bothering you. If i change the accelerator pedal with one from a car that is working there is no change. I also changed the throttle body and still same problem. When I disconnect the accelerator pedal, the car revs pick up. My autoelectrician thinks its a wiring problem, but i dont want to spend money on a used.wiring harness for no success.

Hi Luckmore, you should get the paper digram for your specific motor and the diagram from the ecu plug loom. They have them available on the dicktator website.

Dm me on Instagram, risingboost

Hi Gábor, yeah, in South Africa we got the small JDM ecu's, they can not be chipped. So You must import a usdm ecu and diy chip, and then there is no support in terms of tunners. The dictator ecu cost only about $180 and is highly support locally.

@@RisingBoostYT man that's rough... thankfully up here in eastern europe, 5th gens are pretty common so we have loads of OBD1 ECUs to rip out and chip. also HTS is a really nice software for DIY people. especially the datalogging feature. i decided to look up the dicktator's software and man oh man, if i had to use that i probably would have blown up a few engines by now. :D hats off to youguys.

Hi Gábor, yeah probably, the dictator system has very little safety systems, no knock, no boost cut or O2 sensor, basically just a rev limiter. but the good tuners set the map to go very rich if the boost goes higher than what they tuned for so the motor will bog instead of grenading. the "pros" is basically the price and easy to set up/tune, a full dyno tune costs less than $100 on average.

​@@RisingBoostYT yeah personally, i like to pull timing too just to be on the even safer side. Hope you can make a video about the dyno session and i'm stoked to see where the build goes :D good luck

Hi Robert, not exactly, the unichip is a biggy back ecu so it works with the stock ecu, the dicktator ecu is a standalone ecu, it replace the stock ecu.

Hi Johnny, Yes I will. the next build will likely run a Powermods DFI V1 unit. it may be a few months before I get to it.

@@RisingBoostYT I'm looking forward to it man!

Hi Noel, Sadly no, I am not an installer or mechanic. but on the dictator website they have diagrams for some nissan motors, that could help you find out how the wires for the dizzy goes. they rest if the wires is the same as in my video. here is the link for the diagrams - www.dicktator.co.za/connecting-diagrams/

Hi, no specific follow up, but the loom video was next - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Wz1hbknFNRk.html&lc=Ugy2Ma454kglTJZX5-t4AaABAg

Hi Julian, you can go to the dicktator website and look under the "find a dealer" section, most dealers are also installers that can help.

Hi Saadiq, I did finish the wiring, but I am still editing the video. Should be up soon

On your wiring, did you leave the fan switch on the car loom? Or is it connected to your dictator? If so how did you do so. Im excited for your second video, waiting patiently for it

Hi Saadiq, I broke my fan switch while fitting the motor. So I actually did install the fan controler. Its not in the video releasing today, but will be in the next one.

@@RisingBoostYT but if it isnt broken on your existing car loom, does it still work? Bearing in mind the ecu loom is out.

@Saadiq Everson no, the switch on the thermostat housing broke off, so the fan was not working. I ran the wires to a switch inside the car to control the fan manually. I now fitted the controller that uses the temp sensor to trigger the fan.

Gauteng bro

Hi Bro, hope I did not say that in the video. as far as I know the 5v and POT can be used to set up launch control. however you must have it activated on your unit by dictator before it will work?

@@RisingBoostYT yes that is 100% but must be activated by dicktator as i think it should be activated by dicktator as per normal. They charge R800 just for that which i can't see why it would be that much.

Yeah R800 is alot considering the cost of the unit. I did hook mine up and set it up in the software but it does not trigger. I wanted to be sure its not just setting it up in software and wiring it up they charge for.

@@RisingBoostYT it is not active so what it does it adds fuel and gives a like a surge but it's not something I ever deal with.

Hey great video i just want to make sure about this so the launch control didnt work after you let dictator put it on for you

Should be very similar

Hi Samuel, yes I know about fueltech, they make very good units, far more advanced than the local dictator ecu, however they cost about 1600 USD locally and the dictator cost about 180 USD, for my current budget setup the FT is overkill, but soon

@@RisingBoostYT yes, it is a Brazilian company, but with excellent quality, because I believe that in the future, when installing it, you will not regret it in terms of setting the car up for the FT screen, who has great ease as well as many more parameters to configure

Yeah, we doing a B18V turbo build next, perhaps if I can afford it ill go FT on that build.

@@RisingBoostYT cool if you can buy it for the project it will be top i believe you will really like the product and their technical support if you have any questions about how to install or configure something in FT

We half way there, it's turbo already and got some seats installed in the last video, but it's a civic, very common car, don't think it can have the same unique factor as Kevin, also I'm a few subs short of nightride so I still pay for everything myself. But maybe later on