YVRCLR

Looking for opinions on whether a new PCM is required for a factory remanufactured transmission.

One dealer says yes (the one where they think I'm going for a replacement) but I'm hearing no from an independent shop and, surprizingly, from some others dealers I talked to.

russianDude

Official Acura answer is "yes", you do need new PCM if you are getting re manufactured transmission and you still have original PCM (never replaced before).

The new PCM is reprogrammed to be less destructive on the weak transmission. It is highly arguable whether reprogramming provides any significant help to prolong the life of the transmission. But new PCM definitely has new program, shift points are changed, and you will feel computer shifting differently. The new PCM is not going to solve faulty design problem. They did make some upgrades for re-manufactured units post 2005 to make slightly better case and upgraded some parts, along with new PCM programming.... This reduced rate of failure.... But no one knows for sure if new PCM has any role to play in it. Acura believes it helps, otherwise they would not make one up. But maybe Acura is wrong, they tried so many times to fix this crappy transmission, but could not really do anything due to design fault.

russianDude

BTW, do you still have original PCM? If your tranny was already replaced in the past by the dealer, you might already have latest PCM.

Don't expect any non-dealer to recommend you new PCM, you need to do your own research.

YVRCLR

All original but it acted up just briefly a week ago. Working fine since then but I took it in and the diagnostic kicked out a couple of transmission faults and the dealer recommends replacing it.

Thats bad enough but the PCM is another $1200

Checked with a local independent who's making a very comfortable living rebuilding our transmissions and he actually laughed when I told him Acura said the old brain wouldn't talk to a new factory reman.

russianDude

Dealers are instructed by Honda to install replacement transmission with new PCM. It does not mean it will not work with the old one. Like I said before, new PCM has different programming that changes shift points. The new program was designed by Honda to put less wear on transmission. Some people say it made no difference. But I am just telling you what they did

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

I almost confident that the new tranny will work with the old PCM. Also there have been complaints on here from members with the new PCM that it has reduced performance or felt like it did. Just a FYI.

russianDude

yes, performance seemed reduced a bit, but supposedly its just a feeling due to different shift points. the new programming supposed to make tranny last longer, but this is not confirmed either