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Honda: 2002 CRV possible failed ECU, gas milage, lifetime warranty


Question
QUESTION: I have a manual 2002 CRV that has a couple of issues that have escalated. First when cold and only after you drive the engine will fast idle at 2500 rpm. Then quickly drop back to normal idle. That takes a few minutes to happen. When I turn off the vehicle it doesn't shut off smoothly. Not a dieseling but close, just a bit rough.

My check engine light had been coming on from time to time with a O2 code. It wouldn't stay on for long but recently i.e. one week ago it stayed on all the time. Right when I needed to get the vehicle tested. So now I get p1166 and p0134 all the time. The shop tested the sensor voltages and everything is good. The computer thinks my vehicle is running in -40 c all the time at the ECT and IAT sensors. The temperature gauge seems to work fine. Another strange code is the SRS light is on saying the driver side seatbelt is faulty.

So they are saying the ECU is messed up and needs to be replaced. They tried to check a number of different sensors and they all seem to be running with correct voltages and grounded correctly.

The gas milage has plummeted dramatically within the last week i.e. once the engine light stayed on. The O2 are probably bad but could the ECU be messed up. Thats a lot of money to throw away if it isn't the ECU.

ANSWER:  Let's break this down
The SRS code for the driver's seat buckle would be covered under Honda's Lifetime seat belt warranty.

The P1166 and cold start/high idle issue will be corrected with Re-Flashing the PCM. In other words the updated software for your car can be programmed onto your computer.

Once the updated software is installed we will move on with any follow-up questions you may have.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The seat belts are not covered by a lifetime warranty in Canada. The part is double the US cost and due to VIN requirements in ordering the part can only be ordered in Canada.

The PCM had been flashed a while ago when I first reported the high idle issue and it did not correct the problem (long before p1166 showed up). I asked if they could flash again but insisted the unit is faulty. The ECU/ECM/PCM seem to be used interchangeably is this referring to the same unit? There shouldn't be any reason not to try flashing right?

ANSWER: Yes we use the ECU/ECM/PCM to describe the car's engine control module. Powertrain control module (PCM) is the correct terminology if the car has an automatic transmission. Electronic control unit (ECU) is the term used on pre-1996 models.

I have seen a few CR-V idle control issues that were not related to the updated software. The basics like low coolant level or an intake vacuum leak could be the cause. I would still like to know for sure that the car has the latest software installed on the ECM. Would your repair shop be willing to show you the screen on their scanner? They could show you the screen on their scan tool that indicates "latest software installed".

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok I was able to borrow a scanner and this is what I found.

cal id PA3050
CVN 26 f0 33 4e

And with the code the data captured was

p1166
Fuel system 1 status Open Loop
Calculated LOAD value 23.53%
ECT 84c
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure 24 kPa
Engine RPM 772
Speed 0 km/hr
IAT 41 c
Absolute Throttle Position 9.8%

The live data showed decent values like
IAT 87f (sorry I switch to metric after this)
ECT 186f
OS2 B1 S2 1.05v

I can't see the computer being wonky now like the shop said since the values all looked normal and were not -40 for IAT and ECT regardless of sensor voltages.  

Answer
Mark,
I can't diagnose your car with just a re-type of a data list or freeze data, and just a few parameters. The ability to "print screen" is not the same a reviewing and "snapshot" of 30 seconds to 2 minutes of the complete data list , while the car is in a failure condition.