I just got through putting in an LSVTEC engine in a 1993 Integra GS. I am using a '95 GSR head and ECU. I have wired the vtec signal to pin A4. VTEC pressure switch is wired to D6, KS is D3. I do not have the secondary butterflies connected, since the stock manifold has been replaced with a skunk2 manifold. I swapped out the vtec oil pressure switch, and VTEC solenoid.
I have tested continuity between pin A4 and the vtec solenoid, and even went as far as bypassing the ECU output and using a momentary pushbutton to activate the VTEC solenoid with +12v. I tapped the switch with the car off, to listen for the solenoid engaging, and I heard it click.
I swapped out the VTEC solenoid anyway, and still nothing. I pulled off the bracket the solenoid mounts to and checked the screens to make sure they weren't stopped up. They were perfectly clean. I also pulled the valve cover off, and pulled the 3rd cam cap off to make sure the little O-ring was there. Everything seems to be where it is supposed to be. The head receives oil from a -4AN line teed off from the oil pressure sensor on the back of the block. The oil feed is connected to the fitting on the back of the head close to the distributor. I am out of ideas, and this is bugging the heck out of me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Were all of the oil orifices installed in the head?

 

I don't know, I didnt build the engine, I am just trying to get it to work. I was hoping for a simple solution. The oil line is a -3AN line, which seems small. I was thinking it may be restricting oil flow. I am going to rig up an oil pressure gauge teed off at the fitting going into the head and see what I've got there. Does anyone else have an idea of what it could be?

 

bump^^

 

4 an is to small we use a 6an in our ls vtec kit you should try a bigger line if you need a fitting for the head or a oil feed or oil feed line let me know

 

Having a similar problem and have tried same things to fix it with no results, in addition I have swapped oil pans and oil pick-ups. I'm also throwing code 22 vtec oil pres becuase I am only getting about 40-50 psi at the head at 5,000 rpms, which is short of the 60psi vtec needs to engage. I'm using -4an line mounted to the same points as described by LSVTEC96HB. Any other opinions about solutions?

 

pmd

 

Make sure all of the parameters that VTEC is looking for are working.

Vehicle Speed, Coolant Temp, RPM, Oil Pressure

 

the problem would have to be oil pressure if I am sending 12v directly to the solenoid and it still doesnt engage. I also thought there may be a clogged oil passage somewhere. Where should I look?

 

i had a familiar problem with my car, code 22 vtec pressure and vtec didnt seem to kick in hard enough, i noticed that some times the oil light would come on, in initial start up only for like 2 or 3 secs, then few weeks later i threw a rod then i come to find out the oil pump on my coupe when out on me, so i would recomend to check your oil pressure

 

I am going threw the same problem now..i was using a 4an line off the pressure sensor.no matter what i did i could not get vtec to engage..even with 12v like you are..i hear it click but it will not kick vtec in..i am throwing no codes at all..i just bought a golden eagle 6an kit that runs off my oil filter and i will see if that fixes it..i was thinking my plug in the head oil port was to long and blocking a oil passage but i am getting oil to the sel.makes no sence to me ether..my oil pressure is where is should be and gets to 80 psi + at times..ITR oil pump and still no vtec..i will let you know if the 6an kit works..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSVTEC96HB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the problem would have to be oil pressure if I am sending 12v directly to the solenoid and it still doesnt engage. I also thought there may be a clogged oil passage somewhere. Where should I look?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm having the same problem on my GSR rally car, stock motor... VTEC worked fine for a long time. Now it doesn't. I throws code 22.

I've done everything in the service manual except hook up oil pressure gauge to test port. Tried different ecu, replaced sensor switch and entire vtec solenoid. Hooked up to Honda's OBD2 diagnostic computer went for a test spin, vtec oil pressure, temp, rpm, were all good. Repeat, VTEC oil pressure switch was green.

Eventually said screw it and ran 12v to the solenoid at idle... It clicks, but doesn't actually engage VTEC. It does on another car we tried, just to make sure method was sound.

So has to be oil pressure related or mechanical. Was going to rebuild motor anyway--but I'm concerned could disasemble whole thing, put it back together and still have the problem.

What should I be looking for? I was going to take a good look at the rockers, someone mentioned checking out the oil pump, will probably just replace it. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

 

WTF? hooked up oil pressure gauge and only reads 8psi regardless of rpm. I tried a second gauge to be sure. I then panicked and pulled valve cover off expecting to see galled camshafts and no oil. Contrary to what I expected, everything was nice and oily. I have not driven the car more than 1/2 mile at a time, probably 5 miles total(since the engine was installed). I swapped out the tiny -3AN line for a more substantial -6AN but it didnt change the oil pressure. I have the oil pressure gauge connected at the fitting in the front of the head right next to the header. Is this a legitimate source of oil pressure? What could be causing the oil pressure to be so low? HELP!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSVTEC96HB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I have the oil pressure gauge connected at the fitting in the front of the head right next to the header. Is this a legitimate source of oil pressure? What could be causing the oil pressure to be so low? HELP!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

On the left by the VTEC solenoid?

 

The fitting in the front of the head is to show you how much oil pressure there is when vtec is turned on. Go off the back of the back of the head.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rtype16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The fitting in the front of the head is to show you how much oil pressure there is when vtec is turned on. Go off the back of the back of the head.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, that is what I thought...

Good test would be (and it describes it in the Helms) hooking up the oil pressure gauge to the front port, ingage vtec and see what it reads.

 

I think the front port is used to measure the pressure at the head regardless of vtec engaging. If you look at the oil flow, that port receives the same flow of oil as the solenoid. The Helms says to use that port to test oil pressure at 3,000 rpms, which would prove that it shouldnt matter whether or not vtec is engaging. When I measured pressure there, I got around 30-40psi at 3,000 when it should've been closer to 50psi. At 5,000rpms, it wasn't getting the 60psi required to engage vtec, which is why i'm throwing code 22.

I'm waiting to hear whether or not the 6an line fixes your problem LSVTECHB96 because I was planning on getting the GE kit to replace my 3an line also on the suggestion of Golden Eagle. Hope it works because I'm at my wits end.

 

OK GUYS, GOOD NEWS !!!!! well where should i start.....First off..i went and bought a new vtec sel..Put it on and still nothing..so i tried to just put 12v on it and nothing at 1500 rpm..well, I held the throttle open to about 3k and hit it with 12v and it engaged into vtec..I almost had a hart attack its been so long trying to get vtec to kick in !! I figured then it has to be my ecu..I have a stock jdm pwo unchipped ecu(chiping next week).I am not throwing any codes at all.Oil presssure is at 50-80 most of the time . NOW this is what i dont get.My ecu would not let it engage..I had a jdm spoon sports ef/da ,plug and play vtec controller sitting and i hooked it up..It works perfect with the vtec controller.Why would it only work with that...That makes no dam sence...Any ways that worked for me..thought i would try to help out with your problems..

 

i think its because you need some type of device to trigger it at a certain rpms try using an rpms switch thats probably going to work

 

bump for an answer to whether or not people using 3an or 4an line and switched to 6an line had their problem fixed. I ordered the GE oil line kit w/ sandwich plate, but just tryin to get some more evidence that this will fix my problem.

 

 

the -6AN line fixed the problem. The shop that built the motor used a -3AN line that looked like a leftover brake line. I also put in a chipped P28 ECU. It's all good finally.

 

good to hear! my GE adapter kit was ordered a few days ago thru Intec Racing, got a great deal from them.

 

let me know if it takes care of the problem