So I Have A Bad ECM...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
So I Have A Bad ECM...
Hey Guys,
Well it's everyone favorite 2 year event in California...smog test. I went in and had it tested but the ECM was throwing a code for something in the EVAP system so it didn't pass. I looked up the code and finished the flow-chart in the owner's manual and apparently I have a bad ECM which is pretty uncommon from what I hear. I then went out and bought a used '97 JDM ECM which is actually really nice but the smog computer couldn't communicate with it so right now I'm kind of up a creek. I've been looking for a used 1998 ITR USDM ECM and can't find a single one. A new one is $700 which I just can't afford right now. Do you guys have any suggestions? Or is anyone in the southern California area (I'm in Thousand Oaks) who would want to let me borrow their ECM for half a day? I really don't know what else to do so any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Well it's everyone favorite 2 year event in California...smog test. I went in and had it tested but the ECM was throwing a code for something in the EVAP system so it didn't pass. I looked up the code and finished the flow-chart in the owner's manual and apparently I have a bad ECM which is pretty uncommon from what I hear. I then went out and bought a used '97 JDM ECM which is actually really nice but the smog computer couldn't communicate with it so right now I'm kind of up a creek. I've been looking for a used 1998 ITR USDM ECM and can't find a single one. A new one is $700 which I just can't afford right now. Do you guys have any suggestions? Or is anyone in the southern California area (I'm in Thousand Oaks) who would want to let me borrow their ECM for half a day? I really don't know what else to do so any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Honda tech/eprom hackr
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA.
Are you sure you need an ECU? I rarely replace ECU's on Hondas and I see thousands a year come through my stall. Evap diagnosis can be tricky even for professionals. I've seen my share of problems and seen many good techs struggle with it too. If I can help let me know...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
hondatech: I'm pretty sure. About 2 years ago I bought a diagnostic tool and it said the ecu was bad. But then I took it to the dealership and it was throwing a code for the evap system. I have the service manual and followed the flowchart and it after doing tests it said "replace with known good ecu" so I'm fairly certain it's the ecu. I bought a '97 JDM ECU and it's not throwing a code anymore. However, I'm not sure the code would even be thrown because the ECU is different.
sensei: Thanks for the offer, but the '00 ITR ECU immobolizer is different from the '98.
sensei: Thanks for the offer, but the '00 ITR ECU immobolizer is different from the '98.
Honda tech/eprom hackr
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA.
Originally Posted by Spirish ITR
hondatech: I'm pretty sure. About 2 years ago I bought a diagnostic tool and it said the ecu was bad. But then I took it to the dealership and it was throwing a code for the evap system. I have the service manual and followed the flowchart and it after doing tests it said "replace with known good ecu" so I'm fairly certain it's the ecu. I bought a '97 JDM ECU and it's not throwing a code anymore. However, I'm not sure the code would even be thrown because the ECU is different.
sensei: Thanks for the offer, but the '00 ITR ECU immobolizer is different from the '98.
sensei: Thanks for the offer, but the '00 ITR ECU immobolizer is different from the '98.