1999 Honda VTEC System Testing

How to test a VTEC system on a 1999 Honda Accord. Using either a scan tool or multimeter. Also how to identify switch input and output solenoid design using a wiring diagram.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• VTEC pressure sensor testing
• VTEC solenoid testing
• P1259
• trouble
• code
• honda accord
• honda civic
• how
• to
• testing VTEC
• operation

[zachattack42289]

maybe i misunderstood you when you were explaining the switch to voltage you said when the switch is closed you would get 0 volts showing then when you did the actual test when you energized it it showed actual voltage so i gues my question is how to you get voltage on same polarity when switch is open there is no ground and the way you showed it on the board you would never show voltage on meter

[ScannerDanner]

@zachattack42289 With no oil pressure the VTEC switch is closed which pulls the signal voltage to ground. When the VTEC solenoid is energized, the oil pressure opens the switch and signal voltage goes high (12 in this case). Don't get the solenoid and switch mixed up. When the solenoid is "on", the VTEC switch is open (12v signal). When the solenoid is "off", the VTEC switch is closed (0v signal). Hopefully I cleared that up, let me know

[jlawrodgers]

Hi, I have a question about my vtec operation, that maybe you can answer , about my 1998 Honda Accord EX V6.

I havent owned the car very long, but when I hit the throttle to kick in the Vtec, it stalls..

I have to go thru all of these checks but the first thing i noticed is that my voltage is over 15 volts . do you think that that could be too much voltage for the solenoid ?

thanks for any help.

[ScannerDanner]

@jlawrodgers Over 15 volts is not good at about 15.5 volts you will start to cook the battery. What is voltage at the battery at 1500-2000RPM in park?

Does is stall like someone shut the key off or does it bog and then stall?

[jlawrodgers]

@ScannerDanner The Voltage at idle is 15.04 .at about 1500-2000 ,it actually drops to 14.78 .

as far as the vtec problem,when I hit the throttle , it bogs down,and then stalls, then comes back to "life" when I back off the throttle.

besides that ,it runs just fine.

thanks ,again for your input

[ScannerDanner]

@jlawrodgers Ok, system voltage sounds good. You need to shift your focus away from the V-Tech system and check your fuel pressure and exhaust backpressure. It sounds like you may be either starving for fuel or you have a restricted exhaust. Of course it could be other things too, but I would start there. BTW both of these testing methods are in my book. Fuel pressure should not drop under load (when you hit the throttle) and exhaust backpressure should = no more than 2psi@3000rpm

[phine009]

hello i have honda civic 1999 ex and i want to know when i start my car it feels like my exhaust is backfireing and my solenoid is leaking.

[contagiousFX]

WOW! This is an excellent video. Very informative!

[jlawrodgers]

@ScannerDanner

I had to pull the intake to fix an egr blockage problem and since then, it has been running good..

thanks for the replys and help !

[hp11208]

im getting the same code p1259 on a 2001 honda civic ex