Not really.

You can still program keys to the used PCM without the VIN from the original car. AP2 PCM's have the VIN encoded to them. So when you need to program a key to a AP2 PCM you'll have to use the VIN that is coded to that PCM in order to do so.

 

I don't.

 

VIN's are all over the car, and not just on a sticker in the door jamb. It's stamped on the cowl, on the engine and trans on 2 data plates. And on a data plate on the dash to name a few.

 

Wait, I'm confused. So I can do it without the VIN for the used ecu? AP1 ecu = okay without VIN from donor car. AP2 = need VIN from donor car. So in this instance it should not be a problem. I can go to the dealership. Swap my ecu in the parking lot or on the street and then push my car in and have the ecu programmed to accept my original keys without the VIN that goes with the used(new to me) ecu?

Thanks again in advance.

 

I don't have most of those any more, actually. Courtesy of a couple walls at Pacific Raceways and a bit of standing water I crossed at about 80 mph just in front of those walls. Still have the engine and tranny VIN stamps, though. Just not the ones on the body panels.

 

here at Lithia Honda in Medford, OR we charge a half hour of labor to program keys, flat charge no matter how many keys there are. 0.5 hours labor is currently $54.33

 

My s2 was used and only had 1 key and they make me pay 75 for a 2nd key and it not even an s2000 key they wanted 105 for that one.

 

It's still on the cowl/firewall, and the dash.

 

You don't have to have the VIN from the original car for a AP1 PCM in a AP2. There are few variations on how the keys are programmed depending on what version HDS they are using. Some cars can replace the PCM with only 1 original key and the scan tool reads the existing immobilizer keys and programs them to the new PCM. Or they can start off with all keys lost and program from there.

You take them the car and PCM, they program the keys you have to the new PCM.

If you want to be able to swap PCM's later, keep 1 of your existing keys and don't have them program it. It will still start in the original PCM, but not the new one.

AP2 PCM's store the VIN. So when the scan tool is attached the VIN is automatically enter into the scan tool. So when you put a AP1 PCM in a AP2 this feature is gone.

The Scan tool software and PCM software change frequently. A few years ago you needed both VIN's to cover you bases to make sure they could program the keys depending on what scan tool the dealer was using. (there are 3 scan tools that can do it)

 

I have an AP1. Im doing first gen AP1 ecu to second gen AP1 ecu swap. 2000 ecu to a 2002 ecu. So it shouldn't be a problem then? If i need to swap ecus back for smog or something I should keep one key not programmed to the new ecu right?