ClemsonYankee

Hello everyone.

I've searched around the forum and have found some answers but I want to give me specific details to see if anyone could help me out.

My Accord is showing a P1259 Variable Value Timing Electronic Control Bank 1. It showed this a couple weeks ago. I read that it is sometimes bad oil or wrong thickness. I changed the oil and a couple days later the engine light went away. Yeah! Well it came back today. I'm about a 4 out of 10 on the mechanic scale of usefulness. I'm open to any feedback/advice including taking it to a mechanic. Thanks for any help you can give me.

P.S. I'm also getting a code for P1456 Evap Emission Small Leak which I was told was a loose gas cap.

Shmallow

what weight/grade oil are you using?

i think it's possible a clogged VTEC solenoid screen could cause this issue. in addition, it's easy to check and virtually free to fix.

first, identify the solenoid. (...assuming 4cyl) from the front of the car looking at the engine it's on the left-most side of the engine on the back of the head, around the corner from the distributor.

next, undo the 3 or 4 M6 (10mm) bolts holding it to the head. if you need to unplug the wires to have a closer look. you'll see a formed o-ring type gasket and a wire-mesh screen.

then, clean the screen thoroughly with brake parts cleaner. check that there is no trash or obsruction in the solenoid valve before reassembly.

after everything is back together clear the CEL and drive the car a few times to see if it's fixed.

ClemsonYankee

Thank for very much Shmallow. I will try this as soon as I can and let you know the result.

holmesnmanny

You should look at the oil pan first. See if it's been dented in which can cause an oil pressure issue.

ClemsonYankee

I did everything above and the engine light is still on. I noticed that the oil cap was cracked when I was checking the oil level. I bought a new cap. Could this been the problem? Not getting a proper seal and then triggering low oil pressure? I guess I'll find out after a couple drives.

holmesnmanny

Did you look at your oil pan for dents or no ?

ClemsonYankee

I got underneath and gave it a quick look see and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I do change my oil most of the time so I probably would have noted any dents. Thank you for the advice on that.

kdm3170

the codes for the vtec switch or the solenoid, so either 1 could be ur problem. have u already done the voltage, continuity n resistance tests on both?

ClemsonYankee

kdm3170, thanks for your reply. I have not. I'm not exactly sure what that would entail. I'm about to the point that I think I should take it to someone who knows more than I do.

kdm3170

if you have a multimeter u should b able to test them no problem. ill post the instructions.

kdm3170

heres a link to download the instructions

http://www.datafilehost.com/download-7186e80e.html

the only part you could probably do is the electrical test since the pressure testing requires special crap, but it'll at least give you some place to start