I own a 1998 Honda Accord V6 four door with power windows, locks, etc.

When I tried to smog it a few months ago the Check-engine light didn't turn on when first starting the car. Because the light wasn't working, I failed the smog test.

The bulb has been replaced but to no avail. I don't know if this is related but after a couple months of sitting in a driveway, not all but the driver's side front window refuse to open whether by their corresponding controls or the driver's window controls. I don't even hear the motors trying to move the windows.

Anyways, I'm brand new hear and pretty inexperienced with cars other than basic maintenance. I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what the problem could be. Thanks for your time.

 

When you turn the key to on - not start just on/pos II - does the oil, charge lights come on?

 

Yeah, both the oil change and charge lights come on. After a day of following circuit diagrams, I found the MIL troubleshooting guide in the service manual so I've been using that.

At this point it's looking like it's the PCM and they're recommending I try replacing it so I'm looking online for one of those.

I read somewhere that replacing the PCM on a 98 and onward requires replacing the ignition switch and key as well?

 

Don't need to replace them but you will have to program the old keys to the new PCM. WHich means a trip to the dealer or a shop that has some pretty good tools - if they even can.

I think the B6 pin in the gauge cluster is the ground from the PCM to turn the light on. Have you check the pin at the PCM just to be sure someone didn't "cut" the wire?

 

Yeah the wire's good up to the PCM and I checked all the ground wires there as well. My uncle used to work on the car and cutting the wire to the check-engine light seemed like his MO so that was my first thought as well. haha.

I have a new PCM coming in tomorrow. I'm looking into hopefully switching the daughter card with the immobilizer circuit on the new PCM with the immobilizer circuit from the old PCM. The local dealership is demanding an arm and a leg to reprogram my keys.

 

you might be able to find a locksmith that has the capability to reprogram