So my engine just got rebuilt and I've been driving it for about a month with no problems until yesterday afternoon. I took her into vtec and it seemed to hesitate and then engine light came on. Code 22. vtec system. I checked the oil, the pressure switch and wiring all read good. So I started looking at the vtec solenoid. Checked Ok except for the wiring. I'm getting a constant 12volt reading to the solenoid with the ignition on. I always thought that the 12v was sent through the wire via the ecu only during vtec operation. Is this constant 12v normal?

 

Thats correct there is NO 12v Constant to the Vtec solenoid only until vtec operation. The vtec solenoid Grounds itself.

This is what I would do. Disconnect the vtec solenoid power wire. You can either turn the car on and off OR connect a dummy wire to the solenoid and tap the other end on positive to hear if the solinoid is clicking over and not stuck open.

Whats wierd is that there is a constant 12v... Try to use one of your buddies ecu's just to see if at startup there is no power signal to solenoid.

 

Ok I just got back in from my troubleshooting. I disconnected the the vtec wire from the ecu plug and then turned the ignition on to check if the wire was shorted to another. NO 12v reading. I then reconnected the wire, no 12v reading. So I started the car and still no 12v reading. I took the car out for a test and it ran and popped vtec perfectly. I forgot to mention that I had reset the ecu earlier and the engine light came on 30 seconds into idle, same code. So I don't think that unplugging the ecu is what fixed the problem. Hopefully it will not return. (phantom bugs!!).

 

I freaking hate phantom bugs!!!!!!!!

 

Ok so I broke down and took the car to the dealer because I woke up this morning and the light was on again. I unpluged the computer to reset it and the engine light was gone. Well after speaking to the so called Acura technician I am really confused. His input is that the ecu runs a check on the solenoid every time the the key is turned from off to the A/C position. If the solenoid does not engage (stuck) then the ecu will give the engine light and the constant 12v to the solenoid. What really confused me is when I asked him if this means I should replace the vtec solenoid, he said he is not sure because he could not duplicate the problem. I left the dealership confused but happy because the tech was itr fan and decided to look at it without charging me a dime while I watched him use the handheld computer to figure out there are no codes (well for the moment anyways). Usually they are grumpy about customers watching them and charge a arm and a leg just for laying eyes on your car.

 

can you use a paper clip or jumper to bypass the vtec on a 3.0 98 acura cl, i have heard both was and didnt want to make the shifting prob worse by frying ecu or ?? thanks ahead of time