Rep Power: 0

03 LX 119000/miles
CLE appeared, tach stopped working, temp gage stopped working,
Key symbol blinking. Of course "Limp Mode".

Went to AutoZone, they tried two different code readers and
both just came up with ERROR. The guys tried several times
with the same lack of results. All fuses checked good.

Any ideas of what I should monkey with?

BTW been reading lots of threads here, great stuff, looks like
I should have been here before I had problems? Well, the
weather is nice now and I have all the tools, put me to work!
/°_°

 
Rep Power: 811

sounds like an ecu problem to me. thats usually the only time code scanners stop working.

 
Rep Power: 0

gearbox: Thats what I thought.
My "Haynes" book says that only the
dealer can change that because of
the "immobilizer" system.
Is that true or is there a work around
for this?

 
Rep Power: 811

well yeah they are right because the two are linked together. but if you find a good ecu at the junkyard and swap it in, the dealer will just have to reprogram you a new key (be aware that you must do all this at the dealer because simply swapping the ecu means the car wont start until a new key has been programmed). when you look for ecu, be sure it is the same year that you have and also auto vs manual trans have different ecus. as far as i know, 01-03 had one model ecu, and 04-05 had a newer version due to their wideband oxygen sensors. i dont know for sure tho.

 
Rep Power: 0

gearbox, Thank you sir, I guess I just have to go visit the
stealership up the road..

You have a favorite junk yard?

 
Rep Power: 811

i usually have to just look on ebay, LKQ is really good and scooby da core man lol. i dont have any good ones with hondas around here.

 
Rep Power: 0

gearbox, Maybe I just confused myself.
My owners manual and the Haynes do not
mention an ECU. Is the PCM the same
thing?

Do not get old, is just doesn't work.

 
Rep Power: 811

i think so yes. its the big rectangle thing behind the glove box with all the connectors and wires plugging into it. also be sure to get the LX and not the EX ecu. they have different programs.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just had a check up at the Honda shop.
Fried ECU/PCM/Computer.
This happened because the guy who did my timing
belt did not replace the alternator correctly.
The alternator is the path to ground on my car.
When the alternator is loose the path to ground is
the ECU. When that happens your ECU will be
nuked.

What did I know, the sign said "Import Specialist".

 
Rep Power: 811

wow that sucks. hope you can get the shop to cover the costs. how do you fail an alternator install, he just didnt put the bolts and wires back?

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes, just a poor job all around. Some loose bolts = bad ground.
No way to get my money back, the dirty dog is in Louisiana and
I now live in New Mexico. I could use the money but i don't
need another trip across Texas, eh?

But I am glad to know it isn't the fault of Honda. I like the Civic,
and don"t want to give up on it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Have you been able to get a new ECU for this car?

 
Rep Power: 0

korndo1284, Yes, although I found many online ($50 and up) because the dealer has to
program the computer to the keys I just went ahead and bought it from them. New, $600
and while that hurts I will be done with this problem. From now on I will do all my own work
or pay the outrages Honda prices.

If you use used parts try this: http://www.car-parts.com