02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

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Jul 23, 2018 | 03:57 PM

Rwbaum

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From: Kansas City, MO

02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

This will be lengthy but provide detail. Before I start, just so you know I was a V-22 Osprey Mechanic in the Marines for 9 years, so I know my way around tools and avionics. So the car had a slight oil leak since at least a year ago, nothing major that couldn’t be topped off regularly. It was 1 week ago I noticed the oil leak had progressed to a state of 1/2 quart every other day. After some visual diagnostics, the VTEC solenoid and Distro Mount appeared to be culprits and required gasket change, at minimum. At that time, I was 1k overdue on oil change. So I got a new VTEC solenoid (b/c I wasn’t sure if the old one worked or not) and replaced, being careful to make sure all steps were completed correctly. After reinstalling the air intake, EGR Valve and reconnecting coolant housing, I topped the oil off and bled the air out of the coolant system. Oh, and I changed the O-ring on the Distro (marked before removal and reinstalled in exact same orientation and direction. Test drive started fine. Shifts were normal (as they were before changing parts) and no indications on dash. It was at ~4K RPM the car popped CEL and limited at 4K until backing off throttle and allowing car to shift gears. O’Reilly pulled P1259 and P0705/0706. Decided to change my oil. Completely drained system, changed filter, etc. Disconnected negative terminal, reset, off I went on test drive 2. Drive started fine, hit a decent stretch of empty road and shifted down to 1 at complete stop. Acceleration was prompt and exceeded 4K to bear redline before moving to 2. Acceleration was prompt and exceeded 4K again. This repeated for D3. In D4 I was coasting at 55, then braked to 40 to open throttle. At this point with near full throttle input the downshift popped the CEL and the car limited at 4K and behaved in the same manner as the first pass. It should be noted that before any of these repairs were done, the D4 light on the dash has not been illuminated while in D4 for quite some time. None of these issues were present before changing the VTEC solenoid.
Assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Recap: Current codes p1259 and p0705/0706 Changed VTEC solenoid assembly. Changed distro Mount o-ring Bled air from coolant system. Changed oil and oil filter Ran car through all gears with VTEC coming in through 1/2/D3.

Jul 26, 2018 | 07:23 AM

Kevs02Accord

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From: Beavercreek, OH

Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

I don't know if the two sets of codes are related to each other, but it certainly seems the 705/706 codes would limit your rpm range, have you looked into those first? New VTEC, as in oem, aftermarket, junkyard, etc..? Did you check wiring to the solenoid?

Jul 26, 2018 | 08:33 AM

Rwbaum

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From: Kansas City, MO

Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

It’s original VTEC. Just replaced the solenoid. Changed the oil, filter etc. I have not checked wiring to the solenoid, I really don’t think that is an issue, as the VTEC works in 1,2 and D3. When shifted to D4, the position light on dash does not illuminate, and this is when the codes pop after I reach 3800-4000 rpm, sake rpm range for 1,2 and D3 where the VTEC kicks in and it runs to redline. From what I have gathered and researched, when teaching a certain RPM, the PCM pings the trans for position and then communicated with the solenoid to activate. Should the PCM be unable to determine the position of the trans, say due to position sensing (TRS Switch?) then it will throw codes for VTEC and the trans position. Seeing as the D4 light not coming on which predates changing the VTEC solenoid, I’m leaning toward the TRS switch being the culprit causing both. Does this sound like the right path?

Sep 3, 2019 | 12:26 PM

Jonathan Styles

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Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rwbaum

I'm sorry to bring this thread back up, but I would really like to know what you found for this - or it got repaired. I have had the same exact issue after doing timing and head gaskets on a 2.3 VTEC. I cannot find out what the problem is. I was not getting the trans sensor code or VTEC code before the work was done. Shifting into third the VTEC code triggers and I get a 705/706 code as well. However, all of my gears display properly on the dash. So, any insight you could provide would be absolutely invaluable.

Thank you!

Sep 3, 2019 | 05:01 PM

Rwbaum

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From: Kansas City, MO

Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

So I ended up figuring this one out myself. In an automatic with VTEC such as mine, the transmission position sensor provides gear indication to the dash. The actual light bulbs are an integral part of the circuit the PCM reads for activation of VTEC. I swapped the position 1 light with the burned out D4 for troubleshooting and PROBLEM SOLVED. I then changed the small bulb for 1 later and I haven’t had a repeat issue since then. A mechanic or Honda might tell you, based on what you said, that you need to look into the transmission position sensor. If you already have indication and position illumination, I would say that sensor is doing its job. Does this code throw as soon as you shift to 3rd or when you reach the RPM required for VTEC activation. If you did something with timing, your PCM may not be detecting the proper RPM range required for VTEC activation and throwing the codes. Have you went beyond 3rd gear and tried 4th, 5th? If so and they work as expected, I would lean to a timing/PCM communication problem. If they don’t work past 3rd and VTEC doesn’t activate, I would lean more toward the PCM being suspect. These are just my thoughts based on the extensive research I did when I encountered this problem. Let me know what else you find out and I’ll try and provide more insight if I have any. Best of luck.

Sep 3, 2019 | 05:09 PM

Jonathan Styles

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Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

Thanks for the in-depth reply. Unfortunately, once the CEL kicks on (going into 3rd), there is no testing after this. It's pretty much in a "limp home" state and once it hits 4k RPM it hits an imaginary rev-limiter and RPMs start getting dropped.

There is a long delay shifting gears VS. RPMs and going into third is when the VTEC and Shift Indicator codes kick on. I'm just as well off driving a Radio Flyer at this point.

My timing is dead on, so I'm not sure why my PCM would not be detecting the correct RPMs. I did have to replace the knock sensor after replacing the head gasket due to damage I inflicted during removal. However, that is the only physical problem I seem to have had. Any ideas how I could rule out the PCM? Kind of baffles me, as I said none of these conditions existed before replacing the head gasket and replacing the timing belt / water pump.

Could off-timing cause this scenario? If possible, I'll tear it down and verifying my timing marks again.

Sep 7, 2019 | 03:30 PM

Jonathan Styles

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Re: 02 Accord SE 2.3L Codes P1259 AND P0705/0706

So, after looking at things for a while I found that I was getting 0 Ohms at the VTEC oil pressure switch. Luckily, I am getting 12v from the harness. I went ahead and ordered a new switch and installed it today. However, instead of driving a bit and triggering, I am not getting the P1259 code AS SOON as I start running the car. This is the only light getting triggered. What should I start looking at next? I'm just lost now.

Thanks!