[Avedis53]

You could buy a used DCU for your model year for a lot less money on eBay. When a DCU is replaced, the vehicle configuration is saved on a CONSULT beforehand and then written into the replacement DCU.

 

[Avedis53]

eBay has them for less than $100, depending on the condition. Do you have navigation or not? That makes a difference as far as the correct DCU.

 

[Avedis53]

When I was installing my SmartAuto kit, I broke a flat cable retaining clip on the module in the upper screen. I purchased a used upper screen/DCU on eBay with a scratched screen for $49 and swapped it into my upper screen assembly. It worked perfectly and did not require any dealer/CONSULT work. My understanding is that the only time the CONSULT is needed is if you are trying to install a DCU with navigation in a non navigation car and vice versa.

There are separate part numbers for DCUs with nav and without nav, FWIW. I'm only going by what the service manual says.

 

[Avedis53]

Agree on separate part number for and without Nav. I shared my real life experience and that of SmartAutoKits.

They're dirt cheap on eBay so it would be worth trying installing the replacement DCU without configurations. Can always take it in for a manual configuration if it still needs it.

 

[Avedis53]

It's pretty straightforward. Some finishers and the Integral Switch have to come off to access the DCU. You just have to be careful not to break any pawls getting them off. After that, it's just a screwdriver show to remove the DCU.

 

[Avedis53]

Infinitiusa parts lists the DCU w/o nav (28387-4HB7E) at $3,439.91. Discount Infiniti Parts lists it at $2,648.73. Ridiculous.

 

[Avedis53]

The compatible ones for my car are
28387-4HB7A
28387-4HB7B
28387-4HB7D
28387-4HB7E

28387-4HB7E supersedes the older part numbers you listed but I would think if you could find any of those used, they should work.

 

[Avedis53]

So I accidentally cleared settings and now clock, ac, and other controls don’t function as they once did. If I get an DCU from eBay and I talk it will it work like it once did before?
TIA.

If you went into the Diagnostic Menu and reset your DCU, which you should never do, you erased the configuration of the DCU. If you install a used DCU and it hasn't been reset, it should be from the same model year with the same options (ie. navigation, hybrid, sonar type, camera system, audio amp type, and so on) if you want to avoid configuring the DCU.

You may want to consider taking the car into your Infiniti dealership and have your existing DCU re-configured with a CONSULT diagnostic tool instead if there is nothing wrong with it other than being reset.

 

[Avedis53]

Thank you kindly. Quick question.
If I purchase n install a Tesla screen unit will the car still need to be configured, bc I honestly I’d rather purchase a better unit for this car.

TIA

The feedback on the Tesla-style screens hasn't been all that great. You can search the forum for the Tesla unit and see what issues members who have installed one have to say. I personally wouldn't buy one based on what I've seen reported here. Too many compatibility problems.

 

[Avedis53]

I am not an expert on this subject and can only share my experience. My car is non Nav with Bose and rear cam. I purchased a non Nav upper screen on eBay, installed it and everything worked fine without any dealer programming. I know of a few others on here that have had the same experience and Taimoor from SmartAutoKits advises his clients the same. My Bose/radio settings and Bluetooth pairings were were not forgotten.

I know that the service guide states that replacing the DCU requires dealer configuration. Given my experience, that of others and Taimoor’s, it makes me wonder what the “DCU” is. Top screen, bottom screen or both? Maybe settings and configurations are stored in the lower screen.

You were fortunate you bought a used DCU that was configured the same as your previous DCU. Not that unusual. The DCU is the top screen only. The lower screen is part of the Integral Switch. Your Bose/radio settings are stored in the AV Control Unit behind the Integral Switch. The configurations are stored in the DCU.

 

[Avedis53]

I'd talk to @nickdaria about replacing both screens before buying them. Your lower display being out might be due to the DCU failure. He can verify if this is possible.

 

[Avedis53]

And stick with your original thread. Don't post the same thing in multiple threads.

 

[Avedis53]

take your car to the dealership and get it repaired if you try to install a second hand screen then it wont work.

A used DCU can work if it was configured the same as the bad DCU. Otherwise, the used DCU must be reconfigured to match the car's settings and that is done with a CONSULT diagnostic tool that the dealership uses. One of the configuration settings is whether you have the Bose system or the stock music system. If that is set wrong, no audio output.

 

[Avedis53]

I have the same issues and here is how I'm going to fix it:

You HAVE to bring the car to a dealership to replace the dcu and get a new one programmed to the car this is why you cant by one from a junk yard or ebay.

Instead of paying over $2000 for repairs, I purchased an extended warranty that covers the DCU for $75 a month and I'm going to wait a couple of months and put at least 500-1000 miles on the car before I bring the car in for repair and ill pay a couple hundred to fix it rather than paying $2000+.

That's not true. See my previous post. We've had others here buy a used DCU and install it that happened to be configured the same as their bad DCU and didn't require a dealership reconfiguration. Just depends on how lucky you are buying a used DCU. You can buy a used DCU for $100 - $200 on eBay and pay the dealership to reconfigure it.

 

[Avedis53]

Thats not true, I took my car to the dealership and they would not take any used or junk yard dcu and reinstall their software. They require you to install a new screen and install the software at the dealership which costs over $2000 if you don't have warranty. But the other thing about buying a used DCU and installing it that's configured the same as the bad DCU is true.

Buy a used DCU, install it, take it to another Infiniti dealership and tell them you accidentally reset the DCU. Ask them to reconfigure the DCU.

Or go to another dealership and see if they are more accommodating about this than your current dealership.

 

[Avedis53]

refer to this page https://www.infinitiq50.org/threads/2014-2019-dcu-repair-megathread.140924/

This page has the software for your car and it explains how to install the files into your car.

That link appears to be broken.

(2) 2014-2019 DCU Repair Megathread | Infiniti Q50 Forum

 

[Avedis53]

I put my vin number on the parts site and I got this. Mine is 2015 q50 with bose and nav

Part Number: 25391-4HB4B
Supersession(s): 25391-4HB2B; 253914HB4B

but i don't find any parts on ebay with either 25391 (mostly start with 28xx) nor 4HB2B or 2HB4B.

what do you suggest?

like there is this part 283874HB0A for a 2014 Q50 with Nav (asked about bose haven't heard back yet). What do I need to focus on the part numner or should I just do trial and error. Thank you

You've already started another thread asking the same question. Please don't create multiple posts about the same topic. It dilutes responses and makes it harder for others to follow.

 

[Avedis53]

I'm having the same issue as op neither screen works but backlit and backup camera works without the guide lines the majority of the time. Can someone help me identify the correct DCU part number or let me know the easiest place to look up this info. VIN is JN1EV7AR7HM830883. 2017 3.0 premium with nav.

There's several DCUs w/nav for sale on eBay. Just make sure you get one that has navigation. You might get lucky and not need to have the DCU configured for your car but if it does require reconfiguration, you'll have to take the car to a dealership to have the DCU configured.

 

[Avedis53]

Is there an option for a failed DCU that includes getting Android auto for a 2017 or do all kits with that ability require a functioning DCU present.

You need a functioning DCU for those kits, IIRC.

 

[Avedis53]

Last question about this but does anyone know if it matters if the DCU was a Bose model or not. I know the navigation matters.

Yes, it does as well as the rest of these configuration settings which must be configured to your car with a CONSULT diagnostic tool that your Infiniti dealership has: