I stopped by at the dealer to ask how much it'll cost to synchronize the new ECU and they quoted $190. This includes labor of swapping out ECU plus synchronizing it with existing immobilizer and key. But they warned it might not synchro with 04 ECU because 05 is vin specific.

So this means I'll have to get a new immobilizer and a key to synchronize it with 04 ECU??

 

shouldnt have to.. should be able to match the immobilizer codes to the existing immobilzer.. i bet they are saying that just to pull more money out of you

 

They are correct in saying that the 05 ECUs had the VIN in the codes, but there are 1-2 ppl here who did the 05 to 04 ECU switch (specifically the 5AT) in order to use Hondata. They are just unaware that it works.

The only thing they would need to do is synch your 05 immobilizer chips into the 04 ECU. I'm not sure how you are getting the ECU, but typically 2 keys come with them. If you are getting keys, all you would have to do for the moment is hack up one and put the chip near the immobilizer ring upon startup. Those keys that come with the ECU are effectively useless to you (assuming that you are getting keys with it and that they are preprogrammed).

If you are getting a used ECU, make sure you get the old ECU codes wiped out for security reasons.

 

For me i was warned by a few people from hondata to not do it, some of the memebers who have gone through the swap also said if we do a smog test the VIN number will shop up when listing an 05 tsx. Therefore the 04 vin number will pop up and you will fail that smog test...

 

I guess I shouldn't assume . Isn't an issue for me in Ohio... we have no sort of checks.

 

That's the reason why I always recommend getting another immobilizer and key and match those with the 04 ECU. This way you can easily sell the complete setup when you return the car back to stock or during smog check.

 

And for those less aware, you'd have the keys that match the 04 ECU match the cut of the 05 ECU keys.

 

never thought of deq smog test. basically ecu swap will need a ecu, immobilizer, and blank key. this way it can be switched back to 05 ecu when going through smog test.. it'll be damn expensive to do a swap.

 

You can just use one of the master keys and sync it with the new immobilizer and ECU.

 

guess i'll have to get a pricing on the new immobilizer. its so costly for a hondata reflash.. damn 05 vin specific ecu...

 

Yea but isn't a smog test every 4 years or something?

 

Ok guys, I need your help here. And I would like to someone to clarify this.

Scenario:

I might gonna trade my 2005 5AT stock ECU + Key + Immobilizer w/ a guy who has 2004 5AT Hondata Reflashed ECU + Key + Immobilizer who wants to go back to stock.

From my understanding, my 2005 5AT TSX will have NO problem to use his 2004 Hondatafied ECU, with a matching key/immobilizer. So once I installed that to my car, I can use his key, turn on the car and drive to Acura to sync the immoboilizer. Is that the case??? Or is not right

Now, the seller, who has a 2004 5AT, will need my 2005 5AT stock ECU in order to strip his car to stock. My question is, since my 2005 5AT ECU has a VIN in it, can it be used on a 2004 5AT TSX? And when it's time for smog test, will it reconize as another car???

I did some search before, most of them are 2005 5AT using 2004 5AT ECU. Since there's a open topic here, I hope you guys don't mind to answer my question. THX

 

You can't just put his key in your ignition and start the car, as the key won't fit. You need to remove the transponder ship from his key and do a Accord keyfob type transplant with the transponder chip. If you guys are swapping all the components, no need to go to the dealer.

 

Hi JTso, thx for your quick reply.

So, let's say if I'm gonna exchange as follow:

2005 5AT ECU, both the Master KEY and VALET Key, + the Key ignition part --- > 2004 5AT Owner

2004 5AT Hondata ECU, both the Master KEY and VALET Key, + the Key ignition part ---> MY CAR

So with this swap, we don't need to bother for any sync from Acura? Is that right? And this is will be a direct plug and play???

I'm concern if the 2004 TSX will have any problems to perform a smog test w/ 2005 ECU cause of the VIN issue?

THX

 

Hmm. I can see a potential problem for the 2004 TSX owner with the 05 ecu. I think the 05 ECU will spit out a vin number and there could be problems if it is cross-referenced to the actual 04 TSX vin number. But i'm not 100% sure on that. But then again.. what about those 05 TSX owner who had their ecu's replaced due to failure or something.. Is the vin number programed onto the ecu by Acura?

As for the 2005TSX owner with an 04 ECU....there should be no issues since the ecu will not spit out a vin number, so there will be no cross-refencing to the vehicle's actual vin number.

 

Exactly. Why would a VIN mismatch even be an issue for a smog check?

And if the VIN is coded into the ECU, why can't Hondata reload the correct VIN on a reflash?

 

Hmm.. Another solution. Meaning that I can just swap out my 05 ECU with 04 ECU and no trouble with VIN during smog test since 04 is not VIN specific. So I guess estimate for a ECU Swap + Hondata would be...

$190 - Install ECU/Synchronize
$100~300 - Used ECU
$595 - Hondata Reflash

Aprox $885~1,085...

 

This, is a million-dollar questions, whoever can answer/solve this is the KING.

Last time I see a 2004 5AT ECU sold on Ebay for $400USD, they don't come cheap.

 

Last time I saw one and I bid for it and forgot to bid again before auction ended... This damn lucky guy bought it for below $100.. it was like $90 something and only a buck difference from my max bid...

 

is ebay the only place to look for used 04 ECU? do you guys know any other place?

 

yes, i got 04 ecu from ebay not long ago for less than $100

 

is that u that robbed my ecu from ebay for less than $100? i was the highest bidder but forgot to check back before it ended. damn!!! never thought it was one of the members haha..

 

greaaaat what a pain in the ass. I just bought an 07 thinking I could swap the ecu with a tuned one whenever I wanted to fuck around. Looks like I was wrong

 

Oh I never thought it was you.. haha.. sorry.. but you can buy mine after 2 years.. after I sell the tsx. j/k

 

So did you get hondata reflash on your ecu yet? Did u just synchronize the existing immobilizer/key or got a new set?

I couldn't resist so I just purchased a ecu from ebay. The one thats been on ebay for long time for $290. Its $303 shipped.. so expensive compared to yours. It'll be another $190 to synchro and $595 for a reflash. Planning to do before and after dyno.

 

so in order to change the 05' ecu you would need the 04' ecu, immobilizer, key thats it right?

 

Not yet, I'm still very busy w/ other stuff at the moment.

I will probably send the ECU to get it reflashed next week along with synchronized-cut-programmed TL key and new immobilizer.

That way I don't have to sync the ECU again before smog test, so I have two sets of ECU, immobilizer, and key.

Thanks to JTso for the advice.

 

how much did you paid for new immobilizer?

 

around $30 at Honda dealer. TSX' immobilizer is the same as Accord's immobilizer.

 

Thanx for your info
This junk shop that sold me a ECU says they have the whole steering rack + key for $150. They quoted me for $190 before but guess nobody wants it. Might as well I'll just buy them too since synchronizing at the dealer will cost $190. Saves me $40 plus no trip to dealer for changing out ECU. Service managers started to recognize me. It'll be pain in the ass to do warranty work.