No they don't, they are either lying to you or don't really know anything about it. They are programmed by the factory and really all you need to do after installing is to let it run until the engine gets to temperature and the fan turns on and you turn off the car and it's set. Supposedly it can learn itself overtime just by driving and meeting certain conditions but I've found it's just easier to let the car idle and let it do it.I have a 1999 Civic HX 5 Spd manual and I'm wondering how the pcm/ecu swap went for you last year? My car is at the shop with issues and the mechanic's diagnosis is the pcm, though he isn't 100% and said a new one would have to be "reprogramed" by a H dealership. Could I try to find one at a junk yard with the same part number, out of the same exact model and simply swap it without any dealership involvement?
If you can find one I'd definitely go with a used one off eBay. I never did find the original one that mine came with so I must've stuck it somewhere. If you don't have emissions testing look for the Federal one and make sure you get one for a manual, A is the one you want, the L is for automatics so stay away from those, last I checked on there it was lots of those but not many of the Federal 5 speed.