Rep Power: 0

Bought an 03 Civic EX which had broken the alternator adjustment bolt and threw the A/C and Alt belt. Engine started after spinning quite a long time but the "key" in the cluster kept flashing and the tranny would not shift down to 1st when placed in the "D"rive position. Also the tach does not work. Have checked all the grounds I can find and they all seem to be fine. One thread I read indicated the ECU was "fried" due to a voltage surge when the alternator bolt broke. Put another one in and absolutely NO start then. Am at a loss and would appreciate any helpful hints.

 
Rep Power: 518

I assume you mean a new PCM?

A new PCM must be programmed to accept the immobilizer keys before it will let the engine run.

A dealer will definitely be able to do this. A tow truck is in your future.
Very few independent shops will have the equipment necessary to program immobilizer stuff on these cars.
A locksmith might also have the tooling to program the immobilizer stuff, call and ask.
I know in my area, the dealer is the only game in town.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 0

I was aware that Nissan required this but did not know Honda did the same. Will give them a call to find out. thanks much

 
Rep Power: 0

Just got back from the local locksmith with no luck there. They said I would need the another 'antenna' for the key and much more that did not make a lot of sense. Will be doing more research .... any help with this would be much appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 156

Might have to just give your local Honda dealer a call and explain what's going on and see what they say. Make sure to let them know your not going to just bring your car in so they can just look at it.

Tell them your not going to just tow it in, you want to know what needs to be done before hand. Otherwise they will charge you a bunch of money for looking at it and everything before they even do anything.

 
Rep Power: 518

It's now clear that they are not capable of helping you with this issue..

Just go to a Honda dealer.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks. I am on a fixed income so will have to put a limit on charges prior to performing the work ... my experience with dealer 'service writers' is that most of them have NO idea about any mechanical aspects of an automobile so talking with them would be useless. If I can speak to an experienced mechanic to explain the problem/situation and get some general idea of what he thinks........

 
Rep Power: 518

1) Fix the alternator bracket problem first, so you don't ruin the new PCM. Already done? Good.

2) If you already know what needs done to the car, then YOU call the shots with the dealer at the work order write up.
(If you can actually discuss calmly and rationally with a sharp tech, all the better!)
Tell the ticket writer you already replaced the PCM and only need the darn thing to be programmed to allow the car to run. (Tell them if it is a used PCM or new or whatever.....Do you have the VIN from the car your used PCM was removed from? They might need it. Is it an exact match? It better be.)
Take ALL your car keys with you for this process. ALL keys must be "learned" to the new unit during this programming process.

3) Ask various area Honda dealers if possible. Some may be far cheaper than others. I know the place I work for charges half of what others charge for programming keys......and the next nearest dealers are almost an hour in any direction from me.

4) If the dealer is friendly and has smart people, it MIGHT be possible to get the "immobilizer brake code" to temporarily bypass the system so the car doesn't have to be towed. Ask the dealer for more info, hopefully someone there will know about it and be able to help you with it. (Warning: Handbrake warning light must work, this method does not always work as desired, and it can be really frustrating, bla bla bla.)

 
Rep Power: 0

Replaced the broken bolt on the alt adjuster bracket first thing. All the rest of your suggestions are appreciated. I have a dolly to tow the car to the dealer so no problem there. Have only one key for the car. Don't have the VIN of the car the ECU came from. Just hoping to be able to talk to a technician to explain everything that has gone on so far. The closest dealer to me is about 42 miles and have two more within 60 miles, so will just bite the bullet and contact the closest one first. Again, thanks for your help and I will post to let you know how things turn out after contacting a dealer....

 
Rep Power: 0

To EZone: thanks for all your advice/help. Took the Civic to the nearest dealership (Bay Honda in Panama City, fl) today. Had replaced the original ECU so that the car would at least start and drive, albeit poorly! Anyway, the tech tried to reprogram it but it would not so he replaced the original with the used one I had brought. It reprogrammed with no problem and while i was there, the tech took care of a recall on a headlight wire and ordered a seat belt buckle to put out the ABS light. Very satisfied with the results and the price was reasonable.. $150.00. Again, thanks much for your advice...

 
Rep Power: 518

YW. Glad it worked out for you.