2002 Honda Civic Car died

JST3000

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
134,000 MILES

I recently installed a new engine for my 02 civic and everything was running perfect for 2 weeks. While driving the car it suddenly begin to die. I noticed the battery light blink quickly then turned off and the CEL came on "battery is red top optima". When attempting to accelarate the car acts like its not getting enough gas. Pulled over on the side of the road I start the car and it will idle roughly but my green key light coninues to blink while the car is running and of course the CEL remains on. Borrowed a code reader "AutoXray easy read 2000 OBD2" to pull some codes but with the key in the ii spot the reader is not getting a response from the ECM/PCM. I'm thinking my ECM is dead and I need a new one but I have a friend that works at honda and says he never had to change a ECM and to check my grounds. The top ground from the thermostat to the frame is there and good. Any ideas?

2 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi jst3000,

Yep, the ECM is very relaible and seldom requires replacement, unless some short circuit occurs.

The OBD II that you used might not be compatible or not properly attached or power to the OBD II connector is not available.

Recheck the thermostat ground by loosening and retightening again.

Green key light = anti theft system, check for loose ground at control unit, it might cause the engine to stall.

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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 AT 12:33 PM

JST3000

MEMBER
5 POSTS

So it turns out the PCM/ECM was the cause. I purchased a used ECM from a junk yard out of a 03 Civic $77. After I installed it the car wouldn't turn over (immobilzer not giving it gas). I plugged in my old ECM dangling as I drove it 30 miles in limp mode (can't go over a certain RPM) to honda planet. All I requested was for them to program the ECM to my keys I already had the new ECM installed. That cost $100. Total $177. Not bad considering if I just had Honda do everthing it would have been $600 for ECM, 11/2 laber $150. So I hope that answers some peoples questions. Once the ECM was reflashed runs like new.

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Sunday, June 29th, 2008 AT 9:02 AM