Hx getting 32 Mpg =\

[Pendragon]

If you can not find a salvage yard part there are some companies that remanufacture the ECU circuit board. There is probably a non-dealership Honda shop in your area that may have more information if you don't want to look into this yourself. It might save a few hundred dollars.

The bad news about the ECU replacement is that most Hondas will not run at all (as in get a tow) with the ECU replaced until it is reset by an authorized dealer who may or may not go along with the remanufactured ECU idea. I ran into this situation with my '99 Accord. The new part through the dealership was $1,047 and some odd cents sitting in a box on the shelf plus installation and tax. Mine ran normally even though it was showing a code for a bad ECU. Apparently it had a backup processor in there to deal with the situation for a bit, but left you at risk for being stranded dead center in the middle of nowhere. I feel your pain.

The reason I asked about the age of the tires is that it is not unheard of for older tires to experience a ply separation/delamination (I have had it happen) simply from the materials getting old and hard and not bonding as well as they once did even in normal use. If you do inflate to 40 PSI keep an eye on things to make sure that you do not wear out the center of the tread.

Once you get things sorted out, you should enjoy your new car and get very good mileage too!

Good luck in your parts hunt.

[gtstanger01]

If you get the ecu fixed you are going to have a good start to high MPG car. The car will last for a long time, as long as you keep up the maintenance. I think, as hard is it swallow, you will be way ahead of the game when you finish.

[some_other_dave]

I'm sorry to hear that I was right, and that it will be so expensive to fix.

I would suggest checking on a number of Honda or Civic enthusiast websites (Honda-Tech is active but full of profanity and infantile attitudes; there are probably other places to check but I am not up on that end of the Honda world) to see if you can find an HX ECU for sale. And also to see if anyone knows of any special coding that needs to be done on a 2000 Civic ECU.

-soD

[j12piprius]

There are quite a few 2000 honda civic ecu's on ebay.

You can browse through and see which ones were from an Hx.

[Pendragon]

The salvage yards have a network that they can access to run one down.

[brucepick]

Good Luck on your situation !! I know it has to be stressful.

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market
is my preferred on line used parts "tool".

Sorry - I don't know about ins and outs of replacing Honda ECU's. If its true that it has to be reset by a dealer you might have to fork over the big bucks anyway.

But you certainly can ask at honda-tech.com. In my opinion an account on that site is worth having. There's a lot of good detailed Honda info to be had from their FAQ's, and also by asking your question(s) on the message board. Use the board for your generation Civic: Honda Civic/Del Sol (1992 - 2000) - Honda-Tech

[2000_HX_Civic]

Everyone of those thoughts has realistic potential, I know what my project this break is going to be...

I got my car back early today

Even though I was really bummed last night, I managed to not dwell.

The check engine light was burnt out, not taken out, and not messed up because of the ecu.

I replaced the check engine bulb today, IT WORKS, it is lit up, but IT WORKS!

The code Honda said is a P1259 Vtec system failure.

It was stated that the Vtec pressure switch has continuity, which is great

BUT the ECM/PCM fails and the order of operations Honda says to follow under those conditions is to replace the ECU..

I told them that I desire to exhaust every other alternative when a reasonable financial limit before I outright special order a brand new $1200 part.

As Pendragon stated worst case scenario is the car just stops running, I'm unsure whether it could happen in the middle of driving though (that concerns be a bit) or if it simply wouldn't start when/if it completely stops working.

On the plus side the car drives better than ever. It feels younger, more energetic, lively and revitalized. If that makes any sense.

As for today i'm just happy to have my car back.

[2000_HX_Civic]

OH HEY!! BRUCEPICK, your Hx doesn't have a 1st gear or any gear 4k rev limiter right?

I pretty sure D'UH but still. We have the same model.

I can't private message, I don't have enough posts. -.-

[vskid3]

I wonder what would happen if you just cleared the code...

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 2000_HX_Civic

On the plus side the car drives better than ever. It feels younger, more energetic, lively and revitalized. If that makes any sense.

It does make sense, even regular maintenance will do that.
When I still had my Peugeot 306, it always felt a lot better right after maintenance, even though these were only 6000 miles apart.


See what MPG it's returning now.

There's not much point in venturing beyond 4000 rpm when hypermiling anyway