alfa75uk

I was wondering if there was an easy way to determine if an RDX is running with the Hondata reflash? The reason I ask is that I bought my RDX with a Hondata ECU already installed. I've no reason to doubt the previous owners word as he gave me the original ECU and a receipt for over $900 (he bought the whole ecu as he wanted zero downtime). But what if it was "un-flashed" by those pesky Acura dealers at some point? I could install the standard ECU to see what difference it makes but thought I'd ask the experts first. Appreciate any thoughts on this...

InfamousJamous

One way is to check if the shift point changed in Sport mode. The Hondata reflash changes the shift point to 7200 if I recall correctly.

BigHatch

yeah, prob easiest way.

alfa75uk

Thanks for the info. I tried watching Max RPM 2nd to 3rd gear changes in both "D" and "S" and it didn't seem to vary much at all. Can someone with the Hondata ECU confirm that there's a distinct difference? If there is, I may need to send the ECU back for a reflash.

kingofthestreets

Also, you should be able to get the serial number on the ECU and call Hondata. They should have record of if it was reflashed. If it was, check the shiftpoints.

Mr Marco

He's probably telling the truth. The dealer would not reflash the unit back to OEM spec unless there was a recall or something related to that. The owner would need to send the unit back to Hondata AND pay to have it reset. In the 30 years that I've had a car with a PCM the only time I've had to buy another unit (they are not cheap) was because I had accidentally fried the one in the car when two critical wires got crushed while I was doing some other work. The fact that he gave you the other PCM means he is most likely telling you the truth.

alfa75uk

I got this figured out eventually. In either D or S mode the car changes up from 2nd to 3rd at 6600RPM (70MPH). When I looked at Hondatas website it states that they raised the rev limiter to 7200RPM in sportshift mode (not auto shift points which I was thinking). Sure enough when I used the paddles in sportshift mode the car will rev out to 7200RPM. So I'm certain the car is running with the Hondata PCM. Just out of curiosity I swapped to the standard PCM last night. Doesn't build boost so quickly and feels down on power a wee bit across the board. It's not like a night/day difference but worth it for $300. Oh, and if you ever disconnect the battery make sure you have the navigation and radio codes to hand before you do that