I'm thinking about buying this theft recovery Integra. It's OBD2 and the original ECU was stolen. Well, to pass smog, they scan that ECU and it has the VIN programmed to it. To order a new ECU is $800. Well I'm wondering if I can just buy an ebay ECU and have Acura reprogram the VIN. Is there anyone here that works for Honda/Acura?

I called them and the parts guy didn't know. He wouldn't put a tech on the phone because they get paid on commission and don't want to waste time answering questions.

 

Who told you this?

 

Are you disputing it?

 

im quite lost here. just get a obd2 integra computer and do an all keys lost procdedure.. or you just want the correct vin to show up? i was not aware they check to make sure vin matches car..

i dont think the vin is written to the integra ecu

 

Yes. The Integra ECU does not have the car's VIN programmed into it.

 

Almost none of the Honda ecu's have the vin in them (mode 9 data, if I remember correctly)..

 

I am a Utah I/M smog tech. Tell me again how there's such thing as an OBD2 ECU w/out a VIN in it. By definition that would make it not OBD2.

If the VIN in the ECU doesn't match the VIN on the car, I get a friendly little call from the highway patrol within a couple hours.

BTW I found out that the Acura dealership can reprogram the VIN in the ECU for about $100. A mechanic at the shop had to have it done for a customer a year back.