Guys, inherited a clunker, 2004 EX for parts only. Do not have the original key but wish to crank the engine and see what shape it is in. Have a donor key and switch and seem to remember a post about a xxxxx knock off unit for around a 100 bucks that will program the ECM to accept a new key code. Has anyone used a unit like this , what is it called, and have you had any success doing this. thanks.

 

Ive never seen someone not have to go to the honda dealership to reflash the immobilizer to a new key

 

Stealership!

 

The Autel MS 908 unit will do the job but it lists for between 1500 and 2500 bucks and I do not want to pay that. There is a unit that copies this one and made in China that at one time sold for about a 100 bucks .......but I did not save that info back then. Its just a clunker and I was not wanting to trailer it up for a fifty mile ride. Thanks guys.......

 

Pull everything from a pull a part vehicle and swap it over.

 

That use to be easier when our Civics only had two ECMs, for auto or manual. For this model it seems there is a different ecm for a DX, LX, EX whatever.....haven t found mine yet at our local pick a part........thanks

 

Ya there are a bunch of part numbers. PLR is for sohc vtec (ex trim) and PLM is the vp,dx,lx. HX and Hybrids have a special ecm. So a PLR-L58 will work if you had a PLR-L57. But if you go too far back, like use a 2001 ecm in a 2004 car, it will not work. So check the series two digit code. It's a 2 digit code that is to the right of the part number, larger size font, and rotated 90 degrees compared to the part number. So if you are looking for a PLM-L54 (series YM) and you find a PLM-L56 series YM that will work fine. It seems to me a major change happened in the middle of the 7th gen run, and wiring is different. While small updates to the OBD stuff is the reason for A52,A53,A54,*** etc part numbers, not any changes in how it controls the engine. You may not be able to get the key from the junkyard for the one you need, and may have to hand over some cash to the dealer for a new key that matches your vin. If someone has already swapped out the ecm (check behind glovebox for evidence like cut dash and wire bundles) that dealer key will not work.

 

Try local lock smith in area. Phone around.