My civic has been a little under the weather lately. The battery light is on when my alternator seems to be working fine, and I have a check engine light (code P0141 O2 bank 1 sensor 2 heater circuit malfunction). But the tricky part is, I tried to fix it by replacing the sensor and this didn't work. So after some guessing and checking I decided to bring it to a shop to have them fix it for me.

They tried to fix the O2 problem by replacing yet another sensor but because of a "Hard coded error" they tell me that I need to bring my car to Honda to have them reprogram the ECU/PCM.

Why would I have to do this? What could cause my ECU to not respond to what should have fixed it in the first place (replacing the faulty O2 sensor)?

Thanks,
Scott

 

This image represents my dismay for my civic. The quality of the photo-chop is not what is important. What's important is the EMOTION!!!11!1!

 

Eh, update.

Honda says my car had a short in the wiring harness and needs a new ECU since the short fried something. (but it was working fine :\).

If I don't buy the ECU from Honda, because they want $550 for it, what kind of ECU do i need? I have a 2001 HX with a manual transmission, which has some form of VTEC and a wide band O2 sensor. It will also have to be re-programmed for my key correct? And does it have to be an ECU from a HX model civic?

 

That Id like to know as well I have an 02 HX M/T same prob bro I replaced my sensors as well same problem im lookin on ebay at some now the ex is cheaper 70-180 for a used 04 -05 ECU. I didnt see an answer for your post..