Iwas told that my ecm was replaced with one from a 97 4x2 an I have a 4x4. They told me this was throwing "ghost" dtc's an I have to replace ecm. Anyone know anything about this before I do this?

First thing, who told you? (dealer/"stealer", I bet...).....second, is there any chance that you could get a second opinion?....third, has the car been misbehaving (using more fuel than normal/spluttering/etc)?....fourth, is the "check engine" light on, and has it been reset?....fifth, is there a possibility that there is actually a problem that the "person" doesn't want to fix?.....

There may be some issues with emission controls and the like, and there could be a remote possibility that they somehow got a OBD I computer working with an OBD II car and wiring loom or some other incompatability like that.

Best bet, take it to an independent mechanic, get it rescanned for the codes note down the codes and let us know so we can steer you in the right direction with your mechanic, (or get him on to this site). There is a wealth of experience here, and not too many problems that have not been solvable...

This does sound like an "interesting" one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Totally agree with Gary
ON top of it, just check www.kiatechinfo.com (register for free) so you can have access to all shop, diagrams, codes info and you'll see they make no difference between the 4 and 2WD for the matters you consider...
..4x4wire is the sure bet.

A quick scan of the electrical diagrams for the ECM shows no difference between 2WD and 4WD. However, there IS a difference if you have an automatic transmission. The TCM (Transmission Control Unit) has an additional input for 4WD. This additional input comes from a switch on the transfer case. This signal tells the TCM when the transfer case is put in 4L to change the shift points in the tranny. But since this an input to the TCM and not the ECM it should not cause a problem.

But what year is your Sportage? If it isn't a 1997 the ECM that was installed will not match and you will have "ghost" DTC's. 1997 was a unique year as far as certain components are concerned. It is vastly different from 1996 and 1998 - 2002 had other changes.

I Have a 97 sportage 4x4 with manual trans. I have had 3 different mechanics look at it.2 scatched their heads lol... Number 3 checked wiring all the way to computer found bill for replaced ecm (used) under computer and told me was for 4X2 an about ghost codes.