okay I have what I believe to be a unique problem. a freind of mine had her timing belt go on her 2001 Civic EX. she brought it to an independent repair shop. unknown to her the shop decided to swap her head with a NON Vtec head. obviously causing a few problems. the shop decided to take no responsibility to their actions and will not return any phone calls. after i was made aware of this situation I then took it upon myself to resolve this problem the best i could. the car was throwing two CEL codes, one for the Vtec seloniod and one for the another sensor that is located somewhere on the head. i went ahead and i ordered a DX ecu from another 2001 civic. i brought the ecu and to Honda and i had them reflash it in order for the ecu to work with the car. the car runs excellent now, however it is now throwing a new code 'secondary o2 sensor heater somthing'. based on my research this new ecu is now looking for somthing that is specific to a DX. so being that this is an EX the emissions is designed a bit different. what i need to know is, is there a way around this CEL or should i just start by replacing the o2 sensor that is after the cat? would i have to wire a sensor directly from this new ecu?

any help would be greatly appreciated, these problems are preventing us from getting the car inspected. if your local and solve my problem ill even take you out for some coffee and a smile.

 

You could always try an O2 simulator. At least those are cheap.

If not, try swapping the exhaust manifold and downpipe. Get one from an LX / DX. The manifolds are completely different. LX / DX catalytic converter is built into the manifold and both sensors are right there, whereas the EX catalytic converter (and secondary O2) is under the car. If you do that, though, you'll need to swap the downpipe too. The LX / DX is one piece clear back to the resonator, whereas the EX is two pieces.






(Advised, but I'm not an expert)

 

the o2 simulator is a good idea. would i have to wire that directly to the ecu?

 

Just screw the simulator into the sensor bung, then screw the sensor into the simulator. If it doesn't work, try option B.






This is a prime example of why I do my own work. Had a shop done something like that to my car, I'd likely end up in jail. lol

 

good looking out.


haha i agree with you

 

you should have just got a vtec head

 

^^^

yes..your right however, that is not that case. hence my thread.

 

My advice would be to get an LX/DX secondary Oxygen sensor. The catalytic converter will still work as needed to, and the wiring will not differentiate between the EX and DX/LX where the secondary oxygen sensor is concerned. Either this, or you could get a wideband Oxygen sensor to do the job, but it may require re-wiring the OEM clip to the oxygen sensor.

 

That's a good idea too. Hadn't thought about that option.