My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

While getting the oil changed on the 15th (my 3rd change @23,177 miles), I was told that there was a software update for the PCM and that it "might" improve fuel economy. Both tanks since then have got over 51 MPG while none of the first 47 tanks did. It's too soon to be sure, but there is cause for optimism.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Any cost for installation? How long did it take?

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

What does PCM stand for?

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I'm also in the dark about PCM :shade: - power control module?, primary computer module?. I checked the glossary on this site and also did a search - nothing. Please illuminate us. Perhaps more of us need this software update to get better mileage.

Thanks,

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

PCM = Powertrain Control Module.

Guicide... is there a bulletin number or labor operation number written on your repair order? If there's something there, perhaps you could post it? That might help other HCHII owners when we ask our dealers about the update. Thanks!

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

There was no charge. Nothing appears on the bill. I had an oil change and tire rotation as well so I do not know how long the upgrade took.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Guicide,

According to your FE logs, you were hitting 51mpg before you had the PCM update.

Just about the same time you had your oil change, I requested my dealer to update the firmware, only to get flatly rejected.

Sigh,
Ronald

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I took mine in yesterday for the IMA cap recall and the dealer updated my PCM. Has anyone else had there PCM updated and have you noticed any changes.

Anthony

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I also had the oil changed, recall cap installed and software updated two weeks ago. I have noticed it is easier to get into and stay in electric-only mode for gliding. Fuel economy is up a few mpg.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I had my PCM flashed on my HCH II during the A1 service this week at 22,000 miles. I have driven about 60 miles since the oil change and PCM flash.

I have noticed a number of performance improvements to the operation of the IMA, CVT, Autostart systems. To say that I am thrilled with these improvements is an understatement!

The CVT is smoother than ever since the PCM flash, and this is especially noticeable when driving at low speeds in stop and go traffic. There was noticeable lugging before the update at low speeds, but now the CVT operates as smoothly and seamlessly as possible at all speeds.

You can no longer tell that Autostop is occuring by the seat of your pants. Only a peek at the tach tells what the Autostop is doing. Now this system works the way it should have from day 1. Gone is the sensation of surges and sudden kicks from Autostop operation - as though a beginner was popping the clutch on a manual transmission.

Now the best part from this PCM update. So far, after driving about 60 mile since the update, my fuel consumption rate has improved by at least 20%! I averaged about 46 MPG over the last 2 years of ownership. The highest recorded tank avaerage was about 51 MPG. Well in the last 2 days and 60 road miles since the PCM update, my dash meter shows about 55 MPG. Granted it is too soon to tell if this boost in fuel efficiency will be sustained, but this is cause for optimism!

I will report back on this after I record a few more miles and refills. By then I hope I can say conclusively that my HCH II is now +/- 20% more efficient.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Wow, I wasn't aware of this topic, but it sounds like you and others have a good reason to celebrate. I assume this would not apply to a 2009.

Nice going!!!

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I suspect this is the same issue as this:
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...agement-21506/
this link also includes links to the actual TSB & the dealer will probably deny the request unless you use the right words "the transmission surges or thumps when going into auto stop" should do it.
Good luck, it IS an huge improvement.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Hello all

I just had the tsb done for the Harsh shifting during auto stop!!!!

The cvt shift is now smooth which is great:angel:. However in the 24 hours that
I have had the car back the soc will not get above 4 bars, will not get more that 1 bar of regen during a coast, but will get full bars during heavy braking. My assist will only help out for a very brief moment. I am accelerating like I have not assist. The route is the same, temp, traffic etc.. all normal.

Could the re flash of the PCM done something not good:omg:. Up till this point the
car ran great, almost never getting into a no assist available mode.

and of course my mpgs are down to 42.5 from 46 the other day.


Help
Brian

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Brian do you find the HCH2 to be more assist happy? I have heard some owners complain that the car is assist happy after this update! This could be why you have trouble getting more than 4 SOC bars! Hal

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Harold

My HCHII is definitely more assit happy, I can get into ev mode without even thinking about it, which is great for driving in the neighborhood , not so good for driving around town. I now seem to get into a no assit because of low soc now, which I never did before, and the mileage is lower.

Maybe it is just that I need to relearn to drive it with the reflash.


thank
Brian

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I tried to get this up-date but my Dealer refused for some reason. They claimed it was for US owners only, go figure! Guess I will have to try someone else. My 2006 is treating me well anyway! I'm happy, Hal

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Hello all

Just an update on my HCHII...this morning I thought all was well again with the car after the 014 update... This car is acting up again. I do have an appointment tomorrow am. This car will not go into regen at low rpm if the soc is a 4 bars or less. So the car sits at 4 bars. I will also get no, or very little 1 bar assit. on takeoff. If I am at a light the ice will be running but getting no regen. If I get on the highway, or at least 45 mph I will start to get a force regen. I can get more bars of regen if I am in s mode verses d. I hope the dealer can unflash if needed, or try something else, because driving around town without any assit for 30-40 miles is not fun. I would take the Harsh shifting over the issue I now have any day.

The appointment was to be for the dealer to install the replacement parts for the brake "fart" tsb.

I will let you know what happens

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

This is normal... In the 3.5 years I've had my 2006, the only time I have ever gotten a regen while stopped at a light is if it's in the middle of a re-cal or the a/c drained the thing flat while waiting at the previous light. Same on the upper end... if I'm not at 7 bars SOC and traveling at highway speeds, my car has almost always done a one-bar regen.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Hi hchluv,

Do you have any updates on this?

I requested my local dealer to apply TSB-08-014 last week. When they tried to flash the PCM, something went wrong, and the PCM module got screwed (according to the service personnel). They asked me to come back a few days later to get the PCM replaced. Yesterday, they replaced the PCM ... and every since:
0) The car is assist-happy even at 3 bars (IMA battery)
1) My IMA battery has tended to stay at around 4 bars
2) I do not get any charging (green bars) when I coast or brake lightly to slow down. From time to time, the charging works but it is very occasional.
-- The only way I have gotten the battery charge above 4 bars is by driving harshly with lots of assist. The IMA goes down to 3 bars, and forced regen to about 6 bars of IMA battery.
3) Auto-stop does not work either. Irrespective of whether the engine has already warmed up / AC and defogger are off / battery charge is ~6 bars
4) MPG is down from 50 (city)/55 (HW) to 40 (city)

I took the car back in, and the technician did not know what was going on. He speculated that the new PCM might need "learning". He said he will contact Honda to check, and has asked me to drive a couple of hundred miles, and then call them again.

Any one else have any of these problems? Any suggestions? Please let me know - thanks!!

Cheers,
-ag

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Cross-posted here https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...tml#post212276 in a hope anyone else who has experienced this will respond in one of the threads!

Cheers,
-ag

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

I have some updates on that post from last week:

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...tml#post212275

a) It's not clear to me what updates my service center applied to the new PCM, and what version of firmware the new PCM comes with. The service center has refused to give me those details :(

b) My city mpg has been around 35-37, down from 46-52mpg.

c) Still no freakin' auto-stop. Have driven 250+ miles since the service. I guessed right that the service center's idea of "PCM needing to learn" is BS.

I am guessing they forgot to enable auto-stop OR they did not do the idle-learning correctly because when I come to 7 mph, the RPM goes down to 400 rpm for a split-second before going up to 1200, and then settling at the usual idling speed.

Has anyone else experienced any of this?

It might be time for me to take the care to another service center (50+ miles away is the closest :( ) ... and perhaps call Honda as well.

Cheers,
-ag

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

PS: I think i have figured out the regen problem. Honda appears to have changed their setting so regen kicks in only after the RPM goes above 1400 or so ... and when I coast, the car gently increases the RPM to around 1400 before regen kicks in. And if I don't give it enough time for it get to 1400 then it gives me no regen, and the car behaves like a normal car with ABS brakes :( Not a good scenario, gven I try to stay close to 1100 rpm most of the time when I drive.

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Hey folks, my car is back to normal!

I took my car back in mid-last-week, and explained the exact behavior I was noticing (https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...tml#post212670). I recommended they try the various learning processes again, and they did.

Following a re-learn of the Auto-start release clutch learning process, the car seems to have gone back to its original behavior. The regen happens a few split seconds after I let go of the gas pedal, and the mpg is back to where it used to be.

Hope no one has to go through this much hassle but if you do, then you have a data point here as to what could be wrong.

Cheers,
-ag

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Good Morning All,
I really need to vent in how disappointed I am with Honda Motor Company and my 06 Civic Hybrid. I have been in the automotive industry and employed by a domestic manufacturer in the technical end of things for over thirty years and I have never been so frustrated with the lack of lack of customer service and product reliability by the once almighty and powerful Honda Corporation.

The only reason we purchased this automobile is so my wife that I love dearly could drive in the rideshare lane by herself to and from work on the busy Southern California freeways. Of course the mileage helps with gas at the price it is at but that is secondary. About 1 1/2 years into our ownership my wife had concerns about a lack of power, low battery state, and forced regens. This was going on during the hot socal summer and I started working with my dealer on this concern but I was advised all is normal.

To make a long story short and after many dealer visits we are at the 3 1/2 year ownership point. I have bought my wife a Escape Hybrid to drive because I do not feel safe or confident with her in the Civic trying to drive on the freeway and losing the battery, you might as well be driving in deep sand, very unsafe! I have had all the updates, patches, reflashes done and the car is still miserable to drive. I did meet with the Honda Parts and Service Director for our area to voice my concerns and he listened to my concerns and said all we need is a IMA light to come on and we could replace the IMA battery, sweet!

We left for a trip to Arizona last week and the Honda sat all week as we took our Escape on the trip. When we arrived home I jumped in the Honda to go to the grocery store and as usual instead of using the IMA motor to start the engine the standard starter cranked her over and the engine started but to my great surprise the IMA light came on! I was never so happy to see a light come on. I plugged in my scan tool and pulled a P0A7F "IMA Battery Deterioration" and went to the dealer right away praying the light would stay on which it did. The dealer took it in and to my surprise I recieved a call later in the day that Honda would not replace my battery but install another patch and give that a try.......

I picked up the vehicle the next day and lost all battery power within 1 mile of the dealer and the vehicle performed a regen. It also still uses the standard starter motor to start the engine. I let the dealer know and they said nothing can be done unless the IMA light comes back on.

Sorry again for the long letter but it has been a long 3 1/2 years and 33 thousand miles of ownership of a vehicle that was produced by a once great manufacturer. I have owned many previous Honda's over the years and stil have 3 Honda motorcycle's. It appears there are many other folks in the same boat as I am.
Have a Merry Christmas, Jack

Re: My dealer updated my PCM Software
 

Jeb, there is no need to post your same story under every thread on this board. We read it the first time ok?