I working on a GSR Swapped 93 Hatch.

Fresh, all stock 95 GSR running Obd1 with P72.

No CEL, and vtec works when you jump the solenoid but not on its own.

Going to be cleaning the filters next, but i dont think that its that because it does work when you force activate it.

Again, No CEL, and Running a P72. (a couple of them actually)
Any ideas?

 

Its at running temp when u try it I'm assuming??

Check oil pressure, don't keep engaging it manually u may hurt something

 

Check the VTEC solenoid screen, change the oil/ filter, pull the pan to check for a clogged pick- up, make sure the dowel/ o-ring is under the center cam cap, wire the chassis for VTEC (if it's a Non- Si, I think 92-93 EH2's came pre- wired for VTEC though). Make sure you have enough oil also. I know all my suggestions sound stupid, but that's where I would start.

 

This should be in the tech section.... It's been covered hundreds of times.