my accord wont start up. It ran out of fuel a few days ago. After that it began with a rough idle and would stall after accelaration. I figured the problem as a clogged filter so I purchased slick50 fuel treatment and added it to the fuel system. it fixed the problem.

2days later, the car began to rough idle on start up but cleared up. later that day the car would not start. i checked the fuel lines and they do have pressure. Also the spark plug cables are enegized. Any ideas on what could be causing the problem. Since i am out of warranty I am trying to avoid having to take it to the dealer and avoid some costly repairs.

 

This problem happened to me as well, although I don't know if this was same problem. I have talked to a few dealerships who said that this has been a major problem. It was the primary o2 sensor, it took me two of them to finally fix the problem. It would have a rough idle, and finally cut out. A CEL light also came with it. Those o2 sensors are 125 bucks a piece, so make sure that is the problem.

 

Okay I swapped out the plugs which were soaked and had lots of carbon deposits. This seamed to have fixed the problem for about 5 miles. The problem came back with a really bad idle and later would not start. I hooked up an odb 2 and got back the following codes.

p0172 system to rich
p2646 Rocker Arm Actuator System Performance or Stuck Off

Most of the thread lead me to belive that it is a MAF problem but my accord is LEV not SULEV which mean that it doesnt have one. It has an AIT any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Also if the 02 sensor is sending a P0172 message doesnt it mean that it is working?

I have a stock 2003 accord ex 2.4 vtec


Modified by edsaccord at 11:14 AM 7/31/2006

 

"Replace VTEC Oil Pressure
Switch for DTC P2646, P2647
NOTE: This article applies to ’03–05 Accord L4s,
’03–05 Elements, and ’02–05 CR-Vs.
Got a vehicle in your shop with either of these
DTCs?
• DTC P2646 (VTEC oil pressure switch circuit
low voltage)
• DTC P2647 (VTEC oil pressure switch circuit
high voltage)
Replacing the VTEC oil pressure switch (P/N
37250-PNE-G01, H/C 6737217) usually fixes the
problem. If it doesn’t, then press on with normal
troubleshooting."

 

Thanks for the info MoogoCow but I have some questions. When I look up the 2646 is comes back as "Rocker Arm Actuator System Performance or Stuck Off." Ofcourse the manual doesnt have a 2646 definition so I checked the obd 2 Manufacturers website and they have the generic code as a rocker arm. Does that mean that the code translates diferently with Hondas?

 

what you are getting is the generic code. the description i gave above is the correct description. The VTEC system involves the rocker arms so it's easy to give that as a generic description. But it is a VTEC problem.

 

Okay I ordered the part today. It will be a few days before it gets here. Any Ideas on other things I can check while I wait.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MooGoCow3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what you are getting is the generic code. the description i gave above is the correct description. The VTEC system involves the rocker arms so it's easy to give that as a generic description. But it is a VTEC problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed. I haven't seen this on an accord yet but I have seen it on several CRVs now. Enough that we stock the parts. I would guess with Honda's history of taking care of safety issues that this may become a recall if it starts happening frequently enough so save your receipt because if it becomes a recall you can apply for reimbursement if you had already paid to have the recall repair performed. I know a lot of people got money back when they had the headlight switch recall because we did quite a few of them before the recall came out.

 

Okay I pulled the oil pressure switch and swapped it for a new one and cleared the oem codes. I drove the car arround for about 15 minutes and got the following results.

The idle has improved some, but the car hicups at 2700 rpms. The Check engine light came back and the p2646 code came back also. The car runs fine under 2700 rpms but will begin to hiccup everytime I rev past 2700. Any ideas on the next step

The p0172 code is gone so I guess we are heading in the right direction.

 

DTC P0171: Fuel System Too Lean
DTC P0172: Fuel System Too Rich


NOTE:

Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information.

If some of the DTCs listed below are indicated at the same time as DTC P0171 and/or P0172, troubleshoot those DTCs first, then recheck for P0171 and/or P0172.

P0101, P0102, P0103: Mass air flow (MAF) sensor ('03-04 SULEV, LX-P models and '05-07 models)

P0107, P0108, P1128, P1129: Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor

P0133, P1172 ('05-07 models), P1157, P2195, P2238, P2252, P2A00: Air fuel ratio (A/F) sensor (Sensor 1)

P0134, P0135: Air fuel ratio (A/F) sensor (Sensor 1) heater

P0137, P0138, P0139, P2270 ('05-07 models), P2271 ('05-07 models): Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2)

P0141: Secondary HO2S (Sensor 2) heater

P2646, P2647, P2648, P2649: VTEC system

P0401, P0404, P0406, P2413: Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system

P2279: Intake air leakage ('03-04 except SULEV, LX-P models)

P0443, P0496: EVAP canister purge valve ('03-04 SULEV, LX-P models and '05-07 models)

Check the fuel pressure.


Is the fuel pressure OK? YES - '03-04 SULEV, LX-P models and '05-07 models: Go to step 2.

'03-04 except SULEV, LX-P models: Check the engine valve clearances and adjust if necessary. If the valve clearances are OK, replace the injectors, then go to step 7.

NO - If the pressure is too high, replace the fuel pressure regulator; SULEV model, Non-SULEV model, then go to step 7.

If the pressure is too low, check the fuel pump and the fuel feed line. Then go to step 7.
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.

Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure.

Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.

Test-drive under these conditions:

ECT SENSOR above 176 ºF (80 ºC)

M/T in neutral (A/T in Park or neutral)

All electric loads off

NOTE: DTC P0171 and/or P0172 may take up to 80 minutes of test driving to set. Using the HDS, monitor the long term fuel trim (LT FUEL TRIM) or the air fuel feed back average (AF FB AVE). If the long term fuel trim/air fuel feed back average stays within 0.80-1.20, there is no problem at this time.

Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS.


Is DTC P0171 or P0175 indicated? YES - Go to step 1.

NO - Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Temporary DTCs or DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting.■

 

Okay here is how it went.

I rigged a Fuel pressure gauge and began to try and conduct the idle learn procedure at 3000 rpms. As the coolant temparature was reaching normal running temparature, almost simultaneusly the fan kicked on and the car began to chug chug chug. The fuel maintaind steady at 50psi until the chug chug chug started then the needle jiggled about 3 psi in either direction I could not tell if it was dropping or climbing.


Any ideas? I will begin the v-tech trouble shoot tomorrow.

 

Okay guys,

I pulled off the vtech solenoid and cleaned out the filter. That and switching the oil pressure switch fixed the problem thanks for the help.