Hi folks,

I'm trying to help a friend out here with some electrical woes with her 02 Accord. She recently took her car in for service and found (from her mechanic) that the pressure switch associated to the VTEC system was shot - so she had that replaced ($600 charge incurred). Next, the tech is now telling her the ECU is malfunctioning and requires replacement. Now she's looking at a quoted $950 (additional) charge. Nuts.

My question. She's being told that the ECU is VIN-specific only....that there is no generic P/N where she could simply pick up a used ECU for $80 (what I'm suggesting) and drop it in. Is there any truth in this statement whatsoever? I've never heard of a vehicle-specific ECU - I refuse to believe that Honda flashes these chips for each individual car before leaving the manufacturing floor.

That said, can somebody direct me to a site/link that will help me decipher a P/N code for 2002 Accord ECU's? Short of pulling hers out of her car and picking off the P/N directly, is there another way I can determine specifically which one is in her car? Perhaps call a dealer with the VIN?

Thanks!

Chris

 

Yes they are Vehicle/key specific as they have an immobilizer chip in the ECU/Key. However, you can still buy a used ECU for her make, model & year Accord. It will require a Honda dealership/service department to reprogram it though.

What model is her Accord? I4/V6, Ex/Dx/Lx, 5dr/4dr/2dr, Auto/5spd

 

Ah, so there is (some) truth behind the statement.

This is an EX, 4dr, Auto. I want to say it's a V6 but I'm not certain - will have to ask.

Thanks for the response.

 

Here are a couple part numbers for ECUs, there are probably more. These are what I could find with a quick part number search.

2002 I4 Accord Ex 4dr Auto = 37820-PAA-A54
2002 V6 Accord Ex 4dr Auto = 37820-P8C-A62

 

You don't need a dealer to program the Key. Any locksmith should be able to do it. If you have AAA then they can send someone to your house and make the key right there.

 

^Bonus!

I still don't own a car with an IMMO..... 2004 Grand Am doesn't even have it.

 

So the idea here is both the ECU and key need to be in synch, correct? What I'm reading (in the case of replacing either the ECU -or- the key) a simple re-program of the immobilizer chip in either one will do the trick (not both), is that right?

So in the case of replacing the ECU, does this mean that the ECU re-program could be bypassed in favor of a locksmith reprogramming just the key?

Just want to fully understand.

Thanks!