sh!ft

USDM Vtec Solenoids have green pressure switch sensors. It tells the ecu that there is 55psi of oil pressure before it will allow vtec to engage. If you have ever run low on oil and noticed vtec doesn't kick in, this sensor is why.


A JDM Vtec Solenoid does not have a pressure switch.


A USDM ecu will look for this sensor and JDM ecu will not.
(For those that don't know a USDM ecu is rectangle where a JDM ecu is square)

I just recently put a swap in and was throwing a code 22 for Vtec. I had one plug that wasn't plugged in. I knew it was for the green pressure switch on the vtec solenoid. Since I had a JDM motor with a JDM Vtec Solenoid I knew the CEL was due to me having a USDM ecu running a JDM motor.

I did some researching and found a diagram to jump wires to trick the USDM ecu into seeing the switch


But this is for a obd1 engine harness. My obd2 harness at the ecu looked different and did not match the diagram. I could have found a wiring diagram for my harness and found the two wires I needed to jump. But I found a easier way and did not want to run back into the house to get a diagram.

If you have a obd1 engine harness use the diagram above or you can do it my way.

So this is what I did.
(Please refer back to the pictures you can see the wire colors for the vtec solenoid plug and the two wires for the pressure sensor)

I went to the engine bay unplugged the vtec solenoid plug and grabbed the pressure sensor plug.
The solenoid plug has a green/yellow wire coming off of it.
The pressure switch has a blue/yellow(believe it has a yellow strip) and a black wire.

I took a piece of 18gauge wire. Stripped back the insulation on the green/yellow wire coming off of the solenoid plug. Then I stripped back the blue wire coming off of the pressure switch. Took my extra piece of wire and jumped the green/yellow wire to the blue wire. Soldered it together, tapped it up. Turn the car on and no check engine light.

Cliff notes:
1) Unhook battery
2) Unhook vtec solenoid plug
3) Grab the pressure sensor plug
4) Strip back wire on green/yellow wire on vtec solenoid plug
5) Strip back wire on blue wire on pressure sensor plug
6) Connect another piece of wire between the two you stripped back
7) Solder
8) Tape
9) Connect battery, turn on car.

This method tricks the usdm ecu into seeing the pressure sensor being activated. Vtec works like normal.

This is actually what you would be doing if you were jumping the two wires near the ecu connection. Instead my method does it in the engine bay. Same concept, different location.

If I ever have to change the solenoid because mine went bad and I find a vtec solenoid with a green pressure switch. I still don't have to undo my wiring to make the usdm solenoid work. Because the wires are connected with the extra wire will always send a signal to my USDM ecu that tells it the pressure switch is being activated.

If you have a JDM ecu, you have no worries.





-this was found on clubcivic.com

dephtone

"A JDM Vtec Solenoid does not have a pressure switch."

I am curious how true this statement is because I have seen countless JDM b16's with a pressure switch, hell mine has a pressure switch hooked up and everything.

Not saying you are wrong, just curious if someone doesn't have a pressure switch.

sh!ft

from my understanding the computers controlled them all electronically, so a real authentic solenoid does not come with one, but then again theres really no difference

beansandrice

WOW

tnez

All I'm going to say is that BOTH JDM and USDM ECU's are rectangular...

Thanks for taking the time to write this up though.

sh!ft

didnt write it, copy n paste method, my approach on this topic would be so well written that you would be able to close your eyes and visually look at what i was writing about

sirtef9

iTrader: (4)

MIne had one and still does!