03 honda civic vtec question. cmon tuner guys!

[FyrFytrRyn]

well, ive got an 03 civic EX with the vtec motor. peppy little thing until 2 weeks ago. coming out of a corner i stabbed the go pedal and it got to 4000rpm and revved out. apparently went into limp mode. well since then its not been the same little happy car. a few days after it happened the CE light went back off, and all was normal. then last week it came on again, so i scanned it with an OBD2 scanner. code p1259 "vtec system malfunction". ahh, thus the sh!t for power above 4000 when not in limp mode!... anyhow, i cleaned the filter screen located in the housing used for the oil pressure to activate the vtec, cleaned the housing, and checked the oil level, then cleared the code. it was good until 3 days ago. it did it again, BLAST! cleared the code hoping to get rid of it for a few days, came back on almost immediately, and not even close to the 4000rpm or under high load. so heres my best guess... the oil pressure switch and the solenoid must be going bad or entirely bad already. i know a whole new housing with filter and switches is only 100.00. as far as i know these are the only 2 sensors related to the vtec system. anyone know of anymore, does a vtec system malfunction mean that one of these or both of these sensors has gone bad? thanks!

[2wheel_lee]

EDIT: See my post below.

[dubjay]

Is your car low on oil? If it did this while going around a corner, my guess is that the oil pickup had some issues and as a result, caused a problem with oil pressure - which could trigger that warning as well.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by dubjay

Is your car low on oil? If it did this while going around a corner, my guess is that the oil pickup had some issues and as a result, caused a problem with oil pressure - which could trigger that warning as well.

the Low Buck Brawler speaks

[2wheel_lee]

Here you go!

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

the Low Buck Brawler speaks

Hey Nam, I bet you haven't seen this before...

It's from Sport Compact Car 1995 or so...

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

anyhow, i cleaned the filter screen located in the housing used for the oil pressure to activate the vtec, cleaned the housing, and checked the oil level, then cleared the code.

yeah, oil level is fine. oil has to be super low for that to happen. plus i just changed it less than 400 miles ago, still looks great.

LEE! nice find. i have that already minus the pics. so basically, if i replace the whole "spool" which consists of the solenoid, switch, housing, seals and filter, it SHOULD fix it right? those are the only sensors that can go bad in the vtec right?

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by dubjay

Hey Nam, I bet you haven't seen this before...

It's from Sport Compact Car 1995 or so...

actually i might have since i used to read turbo and scc back since like around 90-91

[2wheel_lee]

nm

[FyrFytrRyn]

no i dont remember, what is it? can i file a complaint through you too!? this EX has been a pain in my ass since week 1. seat rocks, air box nut retainers broke, steering rack went 2 times, stut bushings once, compliance bushings once, immobilizer acts up and doesnt let the vehicle start, head gasket went, tranny downshifts way to hard, and now the vtec is effed! christ its been a pain. ill do the elec. checks when the car cools off. im just gonna go pick up a new unit (100.00) and install it, see what happens. p1259 indicates a problem with this unit right? if i replace this whole thing containing the solenoid, switch, housing with plunger and springs, and all gaskets and seals, it will fix it right?

[2wheel_lee]

Your driver's seat rocks? Does the passenger's seat roll?

P1259 means there is a VTEC system malfunction. If any one of the compenents that is mentioned in the troubleshooting fails, or if there is a problem with the wire harness, you can set that DTC. It could also be as simple as a bad ground (G101). Your ECM/PCM may simply need a software update. The shotgun approach isn't the best way to fix it the problem. It could be the most expensive, though.

[SAR_boats]

I have worked on a FEW older civics and preludes...

Does your engine have a distributor or is it DIS?

[FyrFytrRyn]

DIS boats, as far as i know.

[jfromlv]

apparently went into limp mode

These things happen when you get older, try viagra, glad I could finally help with some of the more technical issues dealt with on STR.

[SAR_boats]

Aren't the Cam and Crank sensors also assiciated with the VTech system?

[2wheel_lee]

I'm not sure why you guys are guessing. The procedure I gave you was how Honda recommends troubleshooting that DTC.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

I'm not sure why you guys are guessing. The procedure I gave you was how Honda recommends troubleshooting that DTC.

Don't believe Lee!!!!

Next Lee's going to tell us he works for.... American HONDA!!!! Ohh OK-- the company sends you to Japan every year seeking your opinions.... SURE!

Needless to say, if Lee gives you Honda advice, consider it Gospel!!!

[TURNERob]

Replace the vtec oil pressure/solenoid unit, problem solved.

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

Replace the vtec oil pressure/solenoid unit, problem solved.

i hate spreen honda. took it to them this morning @ 7:00a. i told the service advisor that i KNEW it was a p1259 code, and i KNEW it was a vtec system malfunction (but i can be ANYTHING in the vtech, wiring, ECM, ect) but i needed them to check past simple ohm and volt tests that i have already performed. he said "will do" and i went on with my day. i get a call back @ 9:00a, the service advisor told me it was a P1259 code which indicated a vtec system malfunction. NO SH!T! i then asked him " did i not tell you that i already KNOW its a 1259, and that i need you to simple test the oil pressure and ecm since i cannot do them??" he says " oh, well, we cant go on to those tests unless we replace the vtech unit, that will be atleast 1 hr of labor plus the part". i respond "didnt you say you would go further in the test than i was able to" and i got " well i wasnt sure if you knew what you were talking about, and i am not exactly familiar with this specific problem". i told him to get my car ready because i was coming to pick it up. basically i spent 89.00 for them to tell me what i knew. had i known those clowns wouldnt go through the time to test the vtec system as a whole, instead of just throwing parts at it, i wouldnt have taken it. i should have learned the first time they screwed me. i came home cleared the code with my scanner, installed the new vtec unit in less than 20 minutes. CEL is gone and vtec feels stronger. these jokers are giving honda a bad name Lee, do something. lol. im done with the dealer, nothing but bad things from there. bahhhh.

[bjammin]

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