What would the dealer say if I went to the service department and insisted that my ECU be set back to the original specs that I purchased the car with. My position being that I purchased a car with certain shift points and a certain smoothness that my car no longer has since the tranny was replaced. I never requested that they change my ECU and by doing so they have changed the inherent characteristics of the way the car drives.

What do you think they would tell me? Would they change it back for me?

This is a repost from another thread, but I never got a response....any opinions are welcome. Thanks!

 

so when the replaced your tranny with the new ones, the shift points are now different? If so, by how much? And did they inform you that this would happen or have you just figgured it out while driving?

 

Yes, 2nd to 3rd shift point is about 300 rpm higher and is noticeably sharper, as if the clutch pack isn't doing the smooth slide shift job that it did with the original tranny. It is really only noticeable from 2nd to 3rd on my car, but others on this site have some similar issues. No, Acura did not inform me that the ECU would be modified in any way, I just noticed it no longer shifts as smooth from 2nd to 3rd,

 

well I dont see why they would do that or why they couldnt make it right. it may be some measure that is better for the tranny?

 

They did it to lessen the stress on the transmission.

Although my car hasn't had transmission problems, after a trip to the dealer last year, it shifted differently. In my case, first to second gear upshift comes about 300-400 RPM too soon, and I am losing power. The only logical explanation I can come up with is that they reprogrammed the TCM/PCM while it was in for service. I don't have any proof, but I can guess that Acura would do it as a preventitive measure to prolong the life of the transmission. Sucks for people like us, since that translates to worse times at the dragstrip.

 

The dealer couldn't adjust the shift points if they wanted to. The ECU cannot be reflashed.

They might be able to put the old ECU back in. Maybe you could buy an old ECU off Ebay and try it out.


NOTE:Acurazine and its staff take no responsibility for the outcome of performing such a task

 

agreed. there is NO way for them to adjust your shift points. its in the ecu and they cant flash it.

why do you want your shift points lower? you will loose power with them lower. the quicker shifts put less stress on the tranny

about all you can do is ask for a different ecu and see if that makes a difference in the shifts

 

There is a way. We have PCM updates all the time.
We download the current PCM info to the H.I.M.(Honda Interface Module), then take the H.I.M to our Techcart which is linked to Honda via internet. The computer registers what car it is and what updates are available.
The only thing is the dealer cannot go into specifics about what the content of the update is, we only know that the update has been done or not.
So the dealer cannot program your PCM back to your old one nor can they put the old one back in. If you request this they may and can deny any other trans warranty in the future since the new PCM is part of the package deal.

 

Oh, and if you do find a PCM off e-bay, you still have to take it to the dealer to have the keys programmed with Honda's software.
It may look wierd if you bring a running car in to have a PCM replaced, may want to take it out first then have it towed in, but thats looks strange too I guess.
Good luck.

 

I really appreciate everyone's feedback.

It just doesn't seem right for Acura to be able to alter the performance of the car without informing the consumer, and for them not be able to return the vehicle to the condition it was in when it was originally purchased without voiding the warranty.

I guess the only recourse I have is legal.....that will get me nowhere

 

I wonder if my warranty was expired if they would agree to put it back to original?

 

i dont get wht you want to do? what is wrong with the shift points that makes you want them changed? what exactly is SO different?

if you are that upset about it, bring it up with the dealer. They would be the only ones able to do any thing about it. just complain to them that since the swap you are unhappy with the shift points (what ever those may be! mine is not noticably different after my ecu swap)

 

My issue is now the car has a noticeable hitch in the acceleration when it shifts from second to third. It used to be smooth as glass.

I will take your advice and discuss with the dealer to see what they say.

 

what kind of hitch? what does it do that you dont like?

 

Hard to describe, but I'll try.

When the car was new, when I accelerated at WOT in full auto mode, as the car changed gears, you could barely feel the change in gears. Knowing what I know now, I am guessing that the clutch packs absorbed some of the energy and made the transition to the next gear hardly noticeable.

Now, after my tranny replacement, it is still very smooth (the same way it was when it was new) on all shifts, with the exception of 2nd to 3rd. Now, under WOT, 2nd gear runs an additional 300 rpm or so and then there is a noticeable pause in acceleration as the transmission finds 3rd gear. No slipping. No clunk. It just takes a pause to change gears (enough that even passengers can tell a difference).

I don't mean to be overly picky, but there IS a noticable change. Yeah, I could probably live with it, but I really liked how smooth it used to be and I miss it.

 

you may have a ecu that needs different calibration, cause mine doesnt shift like that. i would talk to the dealer

 

Will do. Thanks Kris.

 

If they agree, you are dead in the water. The new shift program is designed to protect your transmission. If they restore it to original, your transmission will die much sooner, and without warranty, you got to pay for the expensive repair bill out of your own pocket. Your best bet is to trade your car in and buy the one with the shift pattern you like most.

 

Extremely smooth shifting = excess heat. The new shift sequence helps protect the transmission and doesn't "de-tune" the engine like some people claim. At WOT a quicker, firmer shift is more effective than a smooth shift that will cause additional stress on the clutch packs.