Dfred

I need your advice PLEASEEEEE. I took my accord 08 EX to my mechanic (not a honda dealership) to 1) replace the VTC actuator (had been replaced by dealers 18 -24 months prior) and 2) change the seals in engine due to oil being too low (dealer repeatedly told me my strainer plug was worn, replaced it and still kept telling me it was due to me taking it to another mech other than Honda?). Anyway, picked my car a day later and the CEL, VSA and the triagle with ! indicator comes on maybe 20 mins out from his garage. went back, hooks up his computer and says P0341 code comes up and says the Cam sensor ($100+) needs replacing.

After researching the code online + verifying at Autozone, seems to me there are many causes and I hate coincidences especially as big as this. I have never had these indicators all come up at once, and it so happens to occur just when a major job is done. I have no doubt that it's as a result of the work, but I may be wrong. I refused to buy the part and want to ensure he fixes the right thing once and for all. How do I go about ensuring this is done.

Thank you in advance.
DFO.

lazlong

Sounds like a loose wire connector. They either thought they had it connected securely and it wasn't or they broke the connector when un-connecting it and figured it would be OK.

With the ignition off, start at the cam sensor and trace the wire harness back from there while checking connections and for bad/pinched wires. If you find any loose connections, re-connect them and re-set the ECM/PCM by pulling the ECU fuse in the underhood fusebox for at least 10 seconds (this is done with the ignition off).

Dfred

Thanks lazlong, i hope it is as you described. I read it could be as much as replacing the timing chain due to over stretching.

johnsc2235

I would say they probably got the cam timing off or it slipped on the crank pulley when they did the vtc

lazlong

How does that effect the VSA?

johnsc2235

Almost any time a check engine light comes on it will shut that system down causing the light to go on. It's like a safety shutdown thing

Lost Again

Just me but a p0341...that is a "phase" issue and not a sensor issue. The sensors are working fine, what they are reading is "out of phase" issue....meaning the chain (assume 4 cyl) is done. Why, don't take this wrong, the number #1 thing that kills the chain is lack of oil.

tech8

P0341 is directly related to cam phase (camshaft phase plates are not in sync with each other). The code will appear if the chain is stretched or timing is off.

If there is a P0341, the issue should be taken care of sooner than later, as it will not get better with time. Instead, you may end up with an engine that needs replacement due to bent valve, etc.

The issue may have been cause from the low oil levels or infrequent oil changes. Old oil can cause the chain to wear quickly. As a result, the chain stretches beyond the point where the cam chain auto-tensioner can keep up. The extra chain slack causes the valve timing control (VTC) actuator and the exhaust camshaft sprocket to lag behind, and you wind up with P0341.

Dfred

Thanks all for your time and input.

So took it in to a dealership, they diagnosed and;
1) REPLACE TIMING CHAIN/GUIDES/TENSIONER/AND VTC ACTUTATOR
2)REPLACE VSA MODULATOR UNIT

You do not want to know how much they're asking. So does this add up or are they trying to stiff me as usual. Reason being was I informed the tech that part of the issue was the VTC actuator replacement so why do I need a new one and he kept insisting I needed to replace it because he didn't want me to come back with it being faulty?

Thank you

tech8

If the previous camshaft/VTC actuator was installed improperly, there is the possibility of internal damage to the VTC actuator housing, vanes, or lockpin. The Honda tech probably wants to avoid that. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

REEMB18C1

approx. how many miles on the vehicle and have you done oil changes religiously you could possible have a stretched chain or worn tensioner im a tech for Honda ive done numerous vtc actuators and double check you base timing

Dfred

Hi folks, thanks for all the input.

@tech 8 - you were right, the stupid mechanic caused the problem and refused to acknowledge the fact. Well I learnt my lesson. Only cert, techs touch my car

@REEMB18C1-about 85k miles, diligently change my oil, however on several occasions noticed the oil was low(well ahead of required oil change), even the HDL said I had to change the plug for the oil container? on 2 occasions

UPDATE!
So asked the HDL to REPLACE TIMING chain/GUIDES/TENSIONEr. I declined the VSA modulator replacement since I read somewhere that the VSA light comes on cos of the engine code.(thanks Johnsc2235) They went ahead, replaced everything but when I went to start my car the CEL was on but the VSA was off. Just drove it right back into the drop off zone, the engineer was perplexed saying they would have a second look. Anyways, got a call the next day, said the pin was stuck and could not be reset to proper location and they would need to replace the whole camshaft. Picked up my car 3 days later, and didn't I was not charged for the repair. I was very impressed becasue it was going to $1700 just for that.
So again, A BIG THANK YOU to all because I was able to save by not agreeing to having the VSA modulator replaced.

Knickers_10

Let me start by saying that I'm new to the forum (although I've browsed for DIY type stuff for the last few years - thanks!). After having company cars for awhile, I decided to buy an Accord a few years ago, and try to do what I can on my own, as I am a student. Also, it appears that this thread is old, but after reading the forum rules, I thought it best to reply in an existing thread FIRST, before creating a new one. ))

With that said, I was told something similar about the engine shutdown, and the reason I am posting now is I am having the same issues. I have a 2010 Accord (4cyl / 42K miles) and had no issues with the CEL, VSA and /!\ until about a week ago. Oddly enough I was leaving an Advance Auto and as I was pulling out the parking lot, there was a steep dip. Not all THAT bad, but bad enough that all 3 lights came on simultaneously and my car began running rough. I pulled over let it rest, and only the CEL remained once I started the car back up. The CEL finally went off after I started and drove the car a few times, but now it just won't go away. Today all 3 came back on, so I'm not sure if this is something I can ignore based on everything that's been said about this topic in the thread/forum, or if it's something that will ultimately compromise/permanently damage the functionality of the car. And help is appreciated!

Knickers_10

I was also given quite a few codes after going to an Auto Zone, so I'm not sure which are legit and which aren't.

PCM Codes: 83-13, 61-23, and 61-22
I was told all PCM codes refer to the same thing, which is Pem low voltage

P1009: 1) Check VTC strainer for blockage 2)Faulty VTCoil control solenoid or circuit 3) Faulty VTC actuator 4) Engine mechanical condition

P0341: 1) Engine mechanical condition 2) Faulty CMP sensor 3) Faulty CKP sensor 4) EPoor electrical connection

Again, when I drive it now, it doesn't seem to cause any undue stress to the engine. Still concerned though, so again... any help is appreciated and thanks in advance to all of those who have the time to help!