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2003 Honda Accord ECM malfunction after body work

Tiny
HALLEN2
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
I recently had body work done on my car and after I got the car back had to take it to a dealer to have it diagnosed. I was told that it had an ECM malfunction, is there anything that could have been done to the car during repair that caused the problems with the ECM.
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 5:29 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi hallen2,

It depends on what is wrong with the ECM. Disconnecting and reconnecting of batteries can cause damage ECM if any error was made. Jump starting can cause problem if power surges occurs.
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Saturday, July 31st, 2010 AT 2:14 PM
Tiny
SHOTGUN682
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  • 4 POSTS
Welding on the car with the ECM connected can cause ECM failure
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
HALLEN2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I just went to another shop that told me it is the cluster gauges not the ecm/pcm.

There was no welding done to the vehicle, I am wondering if they wires from the passenger side mirror connect in any way that may cause a surge and cause problems with the ecm/pcm or the cluster gauges. Because the mirror was ripped off and the wiring was exposed and had to be fixed.
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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You did not specify the problem with your vehicle so I am not able to provide any suggestions.

What is the problem that you are encountering?
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
HALLEN2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well all the gauges and radio would shut off and come back on. Just cut out but not stay out they would come back on.

I am trying to figure out what the actual problem is because now I have two suggestions: the ECM/PCM or the cluster gauges.

I also need to know if any work on wiring for the passenger mirror would cause the problems, there was no welding done. The passenger mirror was ripped off and the wires were exposed for around 4 days and it did rain.

Hope this helps, thanks for all the help.
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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I don't think it is anything to do with the PCM/ECM.

Seems to be a power supply or grounding interruption. The ECM don't control the radio or gauges power or grounding circuits.

It is possible for the meter cluster to be faulty as it incorporates a power supply circuit and CAN controller.

What were the repairs carried and on which area?

The passenger mirror is not linked to the meter cluster or body control modules so it should not be the cause.
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
HALLEN2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The repairs that were done were on the passenger side door and mirror. They had to replace the window and the mirror the door was dented pretty bad and I think they replaced the panel. I do not know if any of those things could be causing a power supply problem that would relate to the gauges.

Also would a problem with power supply cause the false reading for ECM/PCM malfunction or any other false readings?

Thank you again for all your help.
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 1:42 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Power supply failure can result in the PCM indicating it is faulty. So would a bad ground circuit connection. If the problem occurred after the repairs, check if any ground circuits was removed and not securely reinstalled.
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 2:20 PM

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