k so here's my problem. I have a 1994 Honda Accord EX 2.2L, with an automatic transmission. About a month ago i replaced my radiator, when i was finished my check engine light came on. Everything seemed to run fine so i just figured i'd have my mechanic friend take a look at it next time i went by. I had unplugged several sensors and just figured I had caused the light to come on. Not immediately, but soon after i started having a few problems. Occasionally the car would not restart once it was running, I would disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes and it would start fine. The next thing it started doing was in between 25mph-40mph, the car would seem to not move up to the next gear. Its an automatic but the best way to describe it is, it felt like i was pushing in a clutch. I immediately thought it was the transmission, but now i am not sure, least hoping its something else. I finally got the trouble code (month later now) and it gave me trouble code 22. Variable Valve Timing pressure switch. Looking through the Haynes manual i found the area it told me to look and found that i had left off one of the sensors when i had replaced the radiator. It was wedged underneath the main hose. I connected it and the check engine light went off. I drove it up and down the access road for almost an hour going from 15mph-50mph trying to recreate the original problem. It worked fine and i thought maybe that was it. Now a week later its back to doing the same thing. Now leaving the sensor off for a month allowed dirt/oil to get around not only the sensor plug, but the fitting it plugs into as well. I Bought some electronic part cleaner which seemed to help at first, buts its still doing the same thing. No check engine light is popping up tho.

My problem is the car was running fine before i changed the radiator and accidently left the sensor off. With it fixing the problem for even a day by putting the sensor back on, and the fact it directly effects the VTEC system, I'm curious if maybe i just need to replace the pressure Timing Switch, or sensor or both. Or if it is what i fear and more likely the transmission itself and an odd set of coincidences making me hope its otherwise.

 

Hard to say without actuly seeing the problem! what ever your code says is probly right. Start with that. Do a transmition check as well if you think its ur tranny> any hard shifting while in p or N.? Transmission problems, it wont go into the next gear without excedding normal engine rpm! did you check youtube?

 

i would start by replacing the sensor and cleaning out that connector really well...then bleed the cooling system cuz u replaced the radiator...if there is air bubbles in the cooling system it may cause it to run rough and ur idle to surge...also do a trans check...does it shift within the correct rpm...is the trans fluid correct level...does it shift hard...but very difficult to diag without driving the vehicle

 

accord93rr: the engine code i had is gone. although i feel it is the root of the problem, once i connected the missing sensor the engine code cleared. Its just i left that sensor off for almost a month. No hard shifting whatsoever.

cr8ter: It shifts fine for the most part.

"Honda's system is a simple method of endowing the engine with multiple camshaft profiles optimized for low and high RPM operations."

This description of VTEC pretty much describes where i think my problem lies. Especially considering i think i had one of the main sensors unplugged for almost a month. It seems to run/shift fine, except that in between what i would call the low/high rpm range it feels like its not operating right. either my problem is 3rd gear itself or maybe the inability for it to switch ranges like the VTEC implies to me it should be doing. As far as driving, its like i said. It feels like i'm riding the clutch (it is in fact an Automatic Transmission though)not allowing the the vehicle to do anything but shoot up in rpm's. once i get over that 25mph-40mph range the car runs fine. Thank you both very much for your time and responses. I am heading out of town so i'll try to replace the sensor when i get back home.

My next question I guess is what am i replacing. When i search Variable Valve Timing switch for parts all i come up with is Oil Pressure Switch. Is this the same part I think might be my problem, or am i looking it up wrong?

Haynes Manual isn't very descriptive on this part and i can't seem to find any helpful diagrams..

 

np...fyi i am a honda tech been doing it for 11 years and know exactly how the vtec systems operate, and there are 5 different kinds all operates a little differently than one another...b4 u replace that switch which is right on the end of the solenoid check the continuity between the 2 pins in the switch if none replace it if yes then check voltage on the connector side blue and black wire to the body ground and see if there is approx. 12 volts if no check for opens in that wire if yes than measure voltage across the 2 pins in the connector if the is approx. 12 volts then u will need a honda tool to check the pressure that it is putting out if no there is an open in the brown and black wire.....there is much more diag to go through if u really want to get into it but that should do u good for a bit...haynes maual sux also use a honda manual much better

 

cr8ter: thx for the great input. I read something similar to what you posted, just not nearly as detailed. I appreciate your input. Couple of questions (probably stupid ones so sorry in advance).. Had the Check engine code not told me it was to the VTEC pressure sensor I would have never even known thats what it was.

1) There were several connectors that look identical to the one that the engine codes told me was a VTEC pressure sensor, i say that because although the code told me what it was, then disappeared once i realized I had left it off, like i said, i would have never even known thats what it was, and i still question if thats even what it is. I'm just trying to make sure i'm even messing with the right part. I'm an average mechanic at best. I'll take some pics tomorrow and try to post so maybe you can see it.

Really i guess my other stupid questions will wait til tomorrow when i can post a few pics so i understand exactly what i'm supposed to check.

Again thanks in advance for all your help

 

that sensor may not even be the problem it could be oil pressure. not getting enough oil pressure could do it and low oil could do...if everything turns out good maybe try giving it an oil change. as for the shifting problem i think that its most likely ur trans solenoids or trans pressure switches if it is a solenoid u will need a trans....although replacing the solenoid may work it will start doing the same thing again due to contamination in the valve body and honda valve bodies are very sensitive...having a bad solenoid usually is an indication that the trans have some kind of contamination

 

K. heres 4 pics of the area of my engine i'm messing with.



Last 3 are just Different angles and close-ups of the green plug i had accidently left disconnected. Like I said earlier it gave me Trouble Code 22 and told me it was the Variable Valve Timing pressure switch.







I'm heading out of town for work. I'll check any replies, but wont be trying anything til I get back.

 

thats the connector that u want to test for power and stuff also that switch that is your vtec solenoid switch