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vtec problem!!!

Old 06-Jul-2010 | 11:21 PM
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vtec problem!!!

so a few weeks ago i swapped in a b16a in my eg and i didnt beat on it or ever hit vtec till today but the issue is i didnt here or feel anything it just sounded like it was struggling for fuel or something. so i thought i didnt hook the vtec wires properly or something but it wasnt that so i had a spare b16 in my garage n i changed the vtec solenoid and installed it on my b16 and vtec cracked nice till i turned it off for a hour and started it again drove waited till it got wormed up and went at it but it didnt sound like it did as it was before no bwahhhhh just sounded like a ls or something lol. so what could be the problem? any info would be great.

thanks in advance.
Old 06-Jul-2010 | 11:59 PM
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You check the oil level?

Check all the vtec wiring/connections?
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 12:33 AM
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the oil level is in the middle of the add and full dots.does it have to be full? and as for the wiring the vtec solenoid wire is hard wired to the harness. and i dont know but for the harness is there a vtec ground or something thats on it?
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 12:40 AM
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The wiring I'm not familiar with. Hopefully someone else can confirm and help you out in that department.

As for oil, it should be fine where it is. I've had mine down below the bottom of the dip stick and vtec still worked. However, when the oil does get low enough, it will drop out of or not allow vtec to engage. But where the oil level is in your engine it should be fine and it should have no problem engaging...

Is the CEL on?
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 01:09 AM
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is the check engine light on?

jack *** comment : Your vtec kicks in so bad it breaks the solenoid every time it hits vtec. Carry multiple solenoids with you on track day. y0
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 09:05 AM
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ya my check engine was on even before i hit vtec. its been on for a while and i cant find out what is that problem. how do you check the engine light on a obd1 car?
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 09:07 AM
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Have it scanned by a mechanic (most will do this for free), or google the DIY way of getting the trouble code from it.
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 09:21 AM
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do you know any good mechanic shops that can scan it for me in toronto. i dont want to travel far because im in etobicoke.
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 09:50 AM
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ok so i tried doing the diy just now for checking the engine light. i used a piece of wire and put it in the small blue plug under my dash on my passenger side and i turned the key to the start postion and the engine light just stayed on nothing happened no blinking or anything just the light stayed on and i removed the wire and the light went off. sooner or later its going to **** me off and ill just beat the fck out of it and put a d-series in(because thats all i can afford right now lol).
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 02:12 PM
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Depending on the CEL, vtec won't turn on. If it's a simple emission code, vtec usually works. If it's worse, then vtec won't turn on so you can save your engine.

VTEC turns on by oil pressure. Like Mike said, you should have enough oil. Mine also was below, and would engage. Find a vtec wiring diagram, should be one here somewhere. I do believe it's only 4 wire extra wires you need to connect.
I have an OBD2 reader, but you might be OBD1, so you'll need to do the paper clip trick.

Maybe try taking off your battery for 30 seconds, putting it back on, let the car warm up, see if you can get VTEC. before an engine light comes on.
-B
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 02:56 PM
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Google the nearest repair shop to where you live and go ask them to scan it for you. Most shops will scan/clear codes free of charge.
Old 07-Jul-2010 | 07:13 PM
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Part source scans it for free.
Old 08-Jul-2010 | 12:57 AM
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Bend the paper clip in a U shape and put it in both holes



I believe yours in the 95 civic will look like this;

Old 08-Jul-2010 | 09:22 AM
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Jdm 77, are you running the stock b16a ecu? Or is it a chipped ecu?
Old 08-Jul-2010 | 03:58 PM
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sounds to me like the wiring for the solenoid and or the ecu is f*cked
Old 08-Jul-2010 | 05:43 PM
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i agree, the wiring for the solenoid is probably wrong. check your solenoid and clean it out properly too.
Old 10-Jul-2010 | 05:01 PM
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im running a p30 ecu chipped and tuned for itr cams and mugen cam gears i have on it right now. today i just jumped in the car and was cruising and i just hit where vtec is suppose to hit and it just kicked in and it freaked me out because i wasnt expecting it lol. my cars fcked it does what it wants on its own i swear and also for a honda im not getting good gas mileage it just eats and i dont know why, anyone got any input on that?
Old 10-Jul-2010 | 07:28 PM
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vtec doesn't work until the car is at optimal working temperature to do so
at least in my car, and from what I've read elsewhere..just a thought???
Old 11-Jul-2010 | 01:03 PM
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ya i know that it has to be at optimal working temp n i drive it and wait till it gets hot n then i beat on it n nothing happens.
Old 11-Jul-2010 | 10:21 PM
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Oil pressure is your problem or you should take out your vtec solenoid and check the gasket that has a screen on it. It might be dirty and maybe you should replace the gasket. Heres a pic of what it looks like,


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