KasinZero

i bought a 1997 civic Lx from someone but the engine light was on. the engine light error was p1259 so i assumed it was the vtec solenoid filter that needed to be cleaned or most likely replaced. as this isnt a very difficult task i decided to do it myself but there was no Vtec. WOW no im pissed. everything works fine in the car XCEPT the engine light is on bc there is no Vtec im not sure what engine is in the car but since there is no Vtec the engine light makes it top out at 4,000 rpm (thank god lol). is there a easy way to let the pcm/ecu/computer (the computer chip thingy lol ) know it has no vtec but still limit it at 4,000 rpm. a honda dealership said bring the car in but i they might charge me $1000 just to put a new pcm ecu thing in.

any help solving this problem would be appreciated.
here are pics of the engine in case anyone knows a way to find out what engine it is and replace the pcm cheaper. dealership service tech i hope is a last resort. (think its just a non vtec version of the same engine not sure htough)






high res pics
http://badacestuff.com/x/1.JPG
http://badacestuff.com/x/2.JPG
http://badacestuff.com/x/3.JPG
http://badacestuff.com/x/4.JPG
http://badacestuff.com/x/5.JPG

junk95civ

If you check the block it will tell you what kind of engine you have. And there are all kinds of threads on types of ECU's to use for what motor. And they are easy to replace so just find out what kind of motor you have and then get the proper ECU.

KasinZero

im not trying to sound noobish i usually find answers by looking first but where on the block does it tell you?

junk95civ

Ah its fine. We all start somewhere. In the first picture in the bottom left behind that hose. It should be in the area. It is engraved on a little protruding block. It might be covered in gunk through.

fastrxu

well thats definitely not a vtec manifold, no vtec solenoid, so its not a vtec problem thats for sure.

go to your helms manual and find out what that code is for.
we'll go from there

KasinZero

thanx i think i found it it says P2A-3. D16Y4 has a head code of P2A-2 but thats the closest im finding.

I thought all 1997 Honda Civic LX cars have Vtec since mine doesnt i assume it was a swap before i bought it.

98civdx

doesnt looke like a swap, and is not a vtec engine. The intake mani is a y7 desgin which is the same engine a lx came with, a d16y7

fleabag

maybe the guy just put a VTEC ECU in the car because he had one and was doing it either to improve performance or because the original ECU went bad.. I'd pull out the ECU and check to see if it's the right one. You shouldn't get codes for VTEC unless you have a VTEC, something a D16Y7 ECU wouldn't be looking for since it doesn't even HAVE VTEC.

KasinZero

ok i didnt take it out but i got the serial i think from it its:
37820-p2p-436
1456-100060
N4

Does that mean its a p2p?
i used this page:
http://hondaswap.com/reference-mater...cu-list-29129/
the p2p there is for 1996-2000 Honda Civic EX (D16Y8) wich supports Vtec.
i also used this page
http://www.hondata.com/techecuid.html
its the top one in that pic with the four plugs. (of course)
now does that mean i need the P2E wich looks like the same one but non-vtec? if so this will save me ALOT of hassle and its not expensive and i can do it myself for around $6o woot woot. thanx and can anyone confirm this?

it also doesnt look like the right one bc there is a extra bolt bracket that doesnt belong there bc there is nothing to screw into. even more evidence

DCRB

pssst... lx's came with d16y7s.... they don't have vtec...

apexi_rsx

p2p is vtec you need a p2e ecu.... what a tard that own this car before

fleabag

I Win the thread, yay!

KasinZero

iight thanx for the help guys i have 2 civic lxs a 92 and now the 97(i dont know as much about the 96-98s as i do the 92-95s). i have done alot of work on the 92 : exaust manifold,radiator, belts, alternator, battery, thermostate, a/c, rediculous bodywork(both front fenders-hood-both bumpers-trunk- then painted it all after bodywork), IAC, radiator hoses, all lights, and some interior,spark plugs, (mechanic did tranny, timing belt and waterpump) but i NEVER thought id have this problem lol. thanx alot guys i learn more everyday. I did a friends 02 civc dx exhuast manifold , spark plugs, alternator , and o2 sensors. i feel like i actually got a lil civic experience under my belt now.

im gunna find/order a p2e ecu so i can get inspection in november. thanx everyone. I love how us honda users stick together lol. i usually find any answers searching first but this one killed me.i knew the engine light wouldnt be a big problem bc the car runs great.

ennohohbee

dont pay more than 100 bucks for a non vtec ecu
dont let anyone fool you at the honda dealer like an ECU is a HUGE deal...its not i have a pile of them rofl

Bryan757

ok bro check me out it is non v tec and it is a stock engine d series d16y7 is the engine. i have the same engine and beleive it or not holds a turbo better than a y8.

98civdx

any proof?

fastrxu

^^^^ why? its the same exact block with a pos head. Now why would it hold boost better?

Anyways you can get a p2e ecu for $40-$60 on crapslist all day long. DO NOT pay anything over, just wait they come up every other day.
Also DONT go to a junkyard as they will charge you $100
you can even get it at ebay

Also keep in mind that you need OBD2- a not OBD2-b
OBD2-a = 1996-1998 civic
OBD2-b =1999-2000 civic

98civdx

thats my whole point, its the same how could it hold boost better. i asked for proof noithing wrong with wanting someone to explain.

ennohohbee

this guy holds a turbo better than both of em!
...you sir....fail

KasinZero

98civdx thanx for the added detail about the OBD2a.
One more question. i see some say manual and auto. the car is obviously a automatic but does it matter on the ecu?

some say ao1 and ao3 i dont know what that is for; could n e one explain?

fleabag

you'll need an automatic ECU, yes it does matter.. Conversion from automatic to manual ECU is easy, but not so much the other way around..

98civdx

yes it does matter, a manual ecu cant shift a auto tranny.

KasinZero

ok i bought one off ebay with this description
"96-00 CiViC * OBD2a d16y7 ECU ENGINE COMPUTER * Auto dx"
and it said it was pulled out of a 97 dx with auto transmission & d16y7 engine.
i believe its the right one.

too bad i cant change the name of the thread lol
bc if anyone else has a similar problem they might not find it when they search of it lol

thanx again everyone

fleabag

They use one ECU for the engine and transmission? Hmm, interesting I though there were two ecus... I guess that's for luxury vehicles or something..

KasinZero

PROBLEM SOLVED AND FIXED
well yay you guys were completely right and i wanted to just post a final thanx to wrap this up completely (in case anyone finds this thread and has same problem).

The "96-00 CiViC OBD2a d16y7 ECU for auto trasmission" was the solution and i installed it in less than 5 mins and it did remove my engine light error and the car is running great. it cost me about $60 for the part & shipping off ebay.

thread can be closed now.
my greatest thanx to you guys