pvuchetich

My Honda elements (2003 and 2006) have both suddenly (last couple days) started to stutter badly on accelleration at times, not all times. I have an obd reader and the check eng light code is p2646, something with the fuel system. Other than bring it into the dealer, does anyone know what to do? Filters? Bad gas?

Thoughts?

Paul

Frozen E

If both your cars started doing this around the same time, I'd be very suspicious. Did you fill them both up at the same gas station? If so, Id say you got bad gas. Go to the gas station and ask them if they've had any reports of people getting bad gas from them. They SHOULD fess up if they have.

HondaPartsHero

Its a VTEC code.
Description: The VTEC system activates the VTEC solenoid valve from the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) and it charges/discharges the hydraulic circuit of the VTEC mechanism that switches valve timing between Low and High. The ECM/PCM monitors oil pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the VTEC mechanism using the VTEC oil pressure switch downstream of the VTEC solenoid valve. If there is a difference between the oil pressure condition in the hydraulic circuit that is determined by the ECM/PCM command and the oil pressure condition that is determined by the status of the VTEC oil pressure switch, the system is considered faulty and a DTC is stored.

First check your oil levels in both cars. If they're good clean the screen inside your solenoid located here:



#5


It's also recommended to change your oil at the same time.

Worst case you'll need to replace it:




http://www.elementownersclub.com/for...ighlight=P2646

pvuchetich

Hey there, HondaPartsHero. Thanks for the detailed information. Can't wait to have a few minutes to start checking things out. I hope that I'm lucky enough/dumb enough that my oil levels are both low. Wouldn't that be a kick. You mention that, worst case, I'd have to replace the VTEC Oil Pressure Switch. I'm looking forward to some quick troubleshooting come morning. I'm working factory night shifts for next 6 months.

Thanks for taking the time to catch my post and answer.

No disrespect/dishonoring to "Frozen E"s response. I'm very happy to get ideas to help troubleshoot. BTW, gas problems were my first thought too; do you think there could be a problem there?

HondaPartsHero

I mean the easiest thing to do would be clear the codes and see if the come back but checking the oil level wouldn't hurt.

Frozen E

None taken. HondaPartsHero actually went and looked up the code, so he's got a few up on me.

I'd just think that it would be a hell of a coincidence to have the VTEC circuit/system go out on both cars at the same time. If that's actually what happened to you, and I were you, I'd go buy some lottery tickets.

HondaPartsHero

Yeah it does seem kinda random but does seem like a common issue among the k24's just by searching about it. I'm really curious to see what you find so please post your results.

pvuchetich

I hate to admit to poor maintenance. Both cars were at "min" on the oil level and hadn't been changed in a year. Dirty oil, too. I live on a dirt road. Before making any changes, I drove them both early in the morning and they both hesitated badly on acceleration. Added oil to both and drove them again. The 2006 accelerated normally, and the check engine light went off. The 2003 still hesitated. Changed the oil on the 2003, light went out, acceleration was normal! Went ahead and changed the oil on the 2006 then, too. Cleared the codes, started them up, both test drove perfectly. My fingers are crossed but I believe they're both ok. I'll have to have my mechanic (me) take better care of his nice cars.

Thanks for the help guys! I'm armed now for when the VTEC solenoid or VTEC Oil pressure switch needs work. BTW, I bought a 22mm thin walled deep socket to get ready.

Paul

HondaPartsHero

If it gives you any more issues I'd just check the screen and clean it if needs be before buying any parts. Good job though!

pvuchetich

Thanks, guys. At least I'm fully back in service. If it recurrs, (and it might) I will check for the screens.
Paul

jasoncarpenter1

i need help........ can not figure out why i keep going into limp mode.
when i first bought my 2004 element (used april 2011 159,000 miles) it would go into limp mode all the time. after going on EOC. was told to change oil and filter and clean screen. that worked for a little while 6-8 weeks. the mil light would come on and it would go into limp mode again. did this about 8 times. as long as i did'nt go on the freeway and drive 75-80 i was good. but everytime i wanted to pass someone or speed up. as soon as i slowed down below 60 you guessed it limp mode. was told it was either v-tech or oil pressure switch. i finally when to honda dealership bought and installed complete assembly. am still going into limp mode and getting 2646 code..........am i missing somthing????? any help will be appreciated........

jasoncarpenter1

update........i started all over. took everything off. i noticed a lose wire. i think oil pressure sensor below v-tech assembly. fixed it. so far so good..........

jasoncarpenter1

drove it today. not on freeway but i did go about 60 mph............almost can't wait for it to drive with out going into limp mode........ am going to do a back flip..............

jasoncarpenter1

drove to work this mourning and about 20 minutes into it...........yes limp mode.........pulled p2646 code after work again.......this is getting old. i cleaned the what i think is the oil pressure sensor below the v-tech assembly. if that dont work will buy a new one tomorrow.........
could it be something else.??????????

jasoncarpenter1

as you can see, i bought and installed the factory honda v-tech assembly.
i attempted to install an auto zone oil pressure switch. but after taking out the old one it was clear that the dura last one had a bigger threaded end. so after taking back to them and double checking everything, i was refunded my money and bought the right one from honda.......






so after installing everything new and of course new oil and filter. yes as soon as i get up to freeway speed then slow down............engine light and "LIMP MODE"..............

Frozen E

Oil pump maybe going out? Or a clogged oil intake screen? But if your screen is clogged, then you've got bigger issues. The gunk on the screen had to come from somewhere inside your engine. Maybe find a way to hook up an oil pressure gauge and see what the engine is doing.

BTW, I have an Autometer electronic oil pressure gauge for sale.

jasoncarpenter1

now thats another avenue to explore. once in limp mode, after about five starts the engine light goes off and the E drives fine until i go about 70 m.p.h. then slow down. so it seems that only when i maintain a higher speed and higher r.p.m. then slow down the sensors or something are not getting oil pressure. so i will definitely look into this........thanks......

jasoncarpenter1

will i did attemp to remove oil pan but that would of took more time then i had. i still have to drive this thing in limp mode to work. i did see a lot of sludge. should i try motor flush?

Frozen E

Couldn't hurt.

jasoncarpenter1

so i did motor flush then took off oil pan and clean everything......will see on monday if i fixed it.............

jasoncarpenter1

still going into limp mode, what do you guys think about a bad ECM ? have been told a few times it might be. can get one on e-bay from 50.00-150.00 bucks........

JooolesM

Hi Jason i'm having the same problem now ... was wondering, did you ever get the problem solved and, if so, how? thanks! julie.

jasoncarpenter1

no i have not. i just have been living with it driving it. i have tried everything. i even took it to Penske Honda in Ontario Ca. they said they fixed..... i asked them if anyone drove it on the freeway. he said no but it was fixed. the very first time i got up to freeway speed then slow down the engine lights comes on and limp mode ensues. the helpful Honda guy told me to bring it back and they will look into it more. i explained to him everything i've done prior to bringing it in. So not really sure they know how to fix it with out charging me to do a process of elimination, that i all ready have done.
my next thing to do is either get a new ecm/cpu. or have mine reprogammed. i read somewhere mine might be faulty. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS I HAVE NOT TRIED? i am open to checking or fixing or replacing almost anything.
Thanks some guy with cronic limp mode..........

BravoCharlie

Hi Jason -

I think I'm in the same situation with a 2005 CRV with ~85k which throws a P2646 code w/ limp mode after I drive 65 mph+ for more than 15 minutes (I found if I keep it at 60 mph, no problems). I just bought this vehicle so I'm hoping it's not a lemon.

So far I've replaced the pressure switch and oil solenoid (which was leaking a bit). I've taken it to the Honda Dealer. At first they noticed the oil filter had little to no oil in it so they thought this was it, but it didn't fix the problem so they're stumped, saying I probably need a new engine since they can hear some 'low end engine noise'. I can hear a little bit of noise but it goes away once the engine warms up (I've been told CRV's can tend to be noisy). Before I go this route I want to exhaust all options.

I was trouble shooting on my own and found I can duplicate the symptoms if if disconnect the wire to the pressure switch while the engine is running, so I started thinking it might be a short circuit (a guy at autozone said this can occur once the wires warm up to a certain point). Have you tried replacing the wiring harness that connects to the oil solenoid?

Here's why I'm thinking a faulty wiring harness...

Once the car goes into limp mode while driving 65+, if I pull over and restart the car, limp mode will go away but it comes back in a few minutes when the engine warms up again.

Thinking this problem has something to do with overheating, I opened the hood but kept it attached to the safety latch. I drove it this way a little (safe or not) going 70 mph and found it took a little bit longer before limp mode started. I then jammed some paper in the hood to on the side of the pressure switch to maximize how open it is (still connected to safety latch) and I was able to drive for 20 minutes at 72 mph without going into limp mode. This makes me think the extra air flow helped cool things off and prevented a short circuit.

I did finally hit limp mode, but only when I reduced speed to 65 mph; I think I heard the engine fan kick in right before limp mode started.

I'm going to have take my car back to the Honda Dealer and request them to replace the wiring harness. Will let you know if this works or not but I'm curious if this is something you've tried.

kouajones

Lack of oil changes and low oil level can and will cause a stretch timing chain to the point where the vehicle will not even stay running or will misfire horribly. The repair will lead to a new timing chain, tensioner and maybe chain guides. I suggest you start changing your oil on time. I've seen alot of tsx(2.4l) and rsx(2.0l) k-series engine with stretched chain before with poor oil change records.