I have a 2002 Accord SE (automatic). I was getting on the highway today and I went to speed up to merge. As soon as the transmission went to downshift to a lower gear, and the engine sped up to approximately 4k rpm, the engine oscillated like it would if you hit the rev limiter and refused to go any higher than the 4k rpm. As soon as it did this, the check engine light came on and stayed on. I haven't had a chance to read and reset the code yet.

This car has 162,000 miles on it, and had a brand new transmission installed by the local Honda dealer at 110,000 miles under some sort of recall. Some information that might help answer this problem: The oil and filter has been regularly changed at 5,000 mile intervals with synthetic motor oil. I installed a new timing belt and serpentine belts when I bought the car at 112,000 miles. The spark plugs were replaced at 120,000 miles. I flushed and replaced the transmission fluid at 120,000 miles. It has had every regular maintenance recommend by the owner's manuel done on time since I have owned the car. The previous owner took it to the Honda dealer to have maintenance done at regular intervals. The only thing that I have done differently recently is to put Mapco (cheap) gas in it 50 miles ago. I usually fill up at Exxon or BP, but I put cheap gas in it at the last fill up. I'm due for an oil change in about 100 miles.

The transmission has always shifted a little hard at low speeds, namely when I go to park outside of my house. I park on the curb, and it shifts hard enough to jerk me forward when going from 2nd gear to 1st. Other than that, there has been no indication of slippage or any other tranny problems. I know that this series of Accord had transmission problems, and I have always babied it in order to avoid excess wear and tear. I don't know if this is a transmission problem, an ECU issue, or something else.

I have searched online and haven't been able to find any problem that sounds similar to mine, and I'm hoping that someone here has some knowledge or experience with this specific issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Without knowing the stored code any advice would be a guess.

 

I'll scan the code and post what I find.

 

Scanned and reset code.

Here was the code: P1259 Vtec system circuit fault (bank 1)

So, bad gas contributing or coincidence?

Thoughts? Ideas?

 

bump

 

VTEC oil pressure switch may be faulty. If the code stays clear the bad gas may have contributed. Next fill up add a bottle of fuel system system cleaner.

 

After thinking about this, I would check your oil level. Bad gas would normally trigger mis-fire codes or something along those lines. VTEC is operated by oil pressure, among other parameters.

 

Took your advice and checked oil level. The dip stick was bone dry. So I went ahead and changed the oil. It takes 4.5 quarts, and when I drained it there was maybe 2.5 that came out. Obviously I have an oil leak. It isn't pouring out and leaving puddles where I park at work (same spot every day) or where I park at home. It isn't burning oil either. It runs clean. The rear side of the valve cover gasket looks like it may be the culprit. Theres a lot of dirt/oil mixture on that side and the oil pan has quite a bit of the same on its gasket. This may be from the oil dripping down from up top though.

Thanks for the help. Greatly appreciated.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/diy-vtec-solenoid-distributor-o-rings-3126298/

I had the same exact issue with mine, I have yet another oil leak on top of this one. But my VTEC solenoid gaskets were leaking and leaving small (maybe softball sized areas?) puddles every single night in my garage and at my work.

 

Cool. Great guide, thanks for your help. As an update, the oil change fixed the Vtec engagement problem. It revs to the redline with no issues. I'll update after I replace the gaskets and give it a few thousand miles to make sure the leak has stopped.