g35silversurfer

So I'm hunting down a 01-05 ex 5spd ecu to swap momentarily to see if it solves the problem,

or a d17 vtec assembly to swap out and see if that solves it.

Either one, I'm pretty sure is the culprit.

but having zero luck finding either, unless I freaken buy them.

Called a local hondapro, told the guy my situation. He says they can diagnose the problem for $48-80 on Wednesday... said drop the car off for the day...

Then I asked, Can you just lend me a ecu for 5 mins for cheaper than that?
He says, No, It's not that simple, you have to swap information from the old ECU to the new one.

I said, What? I've never heard of that before. What are the consequences of not doing that?

He says, none of the sensors will work.

? is this guy full of ****? trying to make money? or what?

because if it costs $80 to scan the dam thing just to find out the problem, I have a 50/50 chance of spending $80 on either a ECU or $50 on a d17 vtec assembly and fixing the dam problem myself.

g35silversurfer

my buddy says they're just going to do what the service manual says to do.
And swapping ECUs will not hurt anything.

I was able to do all of those steps except the one where you hook a hose up to the pressure switch and check the psi at certain RPMs...

Oh well. I guess I'll just take it in to them, fork out the $50-80 and see what they say.

If they don't find/pinpoint the problem and try to charge me, I'm going to have a problem.

g35silversurfer

Will someone please voice their opinion?

is the guy correct? I know on all older hondas it's just fine to swap a ECU, *no consequences.

but on a 2001 Civic is it okay? he says the sensors won't work. That he has to swap information from the old one to the new one.

????

djarmyssg

Eg.. the dude is obviously an idout!! All the sensors will work as long as its the same make and model and year. But the only issue u will have is the IMMOBILIZER!! It wont let any other ecu be used in ur car unless it gets reprogrammed to UR key!! There are things u can buy to bypass this, but not worth it justt to test ur car! Imma take a shot in the dark and say ur solenoid is probably bad! Hit me up if u haveany questions bro. I can walk u through some ****!

g35silversurfer

I tested the solenoid and pressure switch. tested good. I then even bought another one from a running d17 w/ only 90k miles, tried it on there and no change. so it's not my solenoid.

I think it's the ECU

djarmyssg

Where u located?? Id take a look at it if ur close by me! I just dont see it being the ecu...just my opinion though!

g35silversurfer

arkansas. so far far away from you lol.

djarmyssg

Yea definitly a lil far away.. U could wire a test light onto the wire for the solenoid, run it into the cab and see if it lights up when u hit Vtec (around 3200 for EX)`

g35silversurfer

vtec engages at 3200rpm ???

djarmyssg

Around there for the EX model... HX (Which I have) Vtec kicks at 2800!

g35silversurfer

well I can clear the code and then drive and the first time I go upwards of 4k rpm that's when the CEL comes on. so..... if vtec was already kicking in, maybe it's the "turning off" it's having a problem doing?

I don't know. I'm sick of it. just going to take it to the honda shop up the road sooner or later. it's not a big deal I just can't rev past 4k rpms until it's fixed. just makes me get great gas mileage lol.

djarmyssg

ROFL... Yea.. Could be a number of things, Without having it here to test, It makes it hard.. Keep me updated though!

g35silversurfer

well, no worries anymore.

traded the em2 for a 94 civic si, frost white, original paint, zero rust, local car its whole life, lsvtec bored to b20 with b20z pistons, b16 head, b16 trans, full original interior in mint shape, full tien supsension with lca's, strut bars etc,,, and even kept my em2 fat five wheels...

can't believe i got it.... but that's my luck lol.

no more p1259 *and yes, the new owner knows about it.