06 Honda Element EX-P AWD

hey guys so I’m having an issue with my 06 element. I recently purchased not too long again and the car has been great. Recently the check engine light came on so I looked up the code and found it was throwing p2646. P2646 is a common diagnostic trouble code that affects Honda made vehicles, including the Element. This code indicates that there is an issue with rocker arm oil pressure switch. The Rocker arm oil pressure switch verifies the correct oil pressure in the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) mechanism, and is often referred to as the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) switch. So after doing some research the first step was to check and change the oil. I’ve been using full synthetic 5w-20. And I only use a Honda Oil filter. After a few miles of driving the code has now come back and the vehicle doesn’t travel over 3k rpm. The next step of research told me to replace the entire oil pressure vtec switch assembly and screen, so I ordered it all from Honda and replaced the entire valve assembly which didn’t prove too difficult. After changing the oil again and driving a few more miles the light came back on with the same issue. At this point I’m not sure where to turn because when digging into further research, some comments are suggesting to seafoam the engine. Would love to hear what you guys think or if anyone has came up with the same issue. Any help is much appreciated.

 

Do you regularly change the oil? How nasty did the spool filter look when you changed the assembly? IF you noticed lots of gunk when you changed that, it's possible the lower filter/VVT are clogged. Did you buy an aftermarket assembly? The pressure switch on top, if unplugged (or not working), will cause the same symptoms and code. Seafoaming the engine could possibly dislodge gunk inside, clogging worse, or it could help it out. How bad would you say it is now? Do you have any oil leaks? Good luck!

 

thank you for responding, any help is appreciated.

Since I’ve had the car for 1 year I change the oil every 3k miles with 5w-20 synthetic oil. I’ve always used a Honda filter as well. As for the assembly I bought one oem from the dealer. It came with a new screen as well. As far as the old assembly it didn’t seem crazy dirty to me, the oil seemed normal not crazy dirty or super clean. I made she both plugs were plugged in and connected firmly. The only leak I had was the vtec assembly switch itself but is no longer leaking. Never seafoamed an engine before but could I take off and clean anything else related to this issue that would help?

 

VTEC and VTC are 2 different things all together . One (VTC variable timing camshaft) activates the advance/retard of the intake cam . VTEC ( variable timing and electronic lift control) operates the lift control actuators (little pistons in the rocker arms) on the rocker arms that open the valves, chosing the high lift high duration cam lobes as commanded by the PCM .
They are not the same thing.

P2646 is ROCKER ARM OIL PRESSURE SWITCH ( VTEC OIL PRESSURE SWITCH) LOW CIRCUIT VOLTAGE.

This will occur if the PCM commands VTEC operation an sees that the VTEC oil pressure switch voltage ( closed contacts during presence of oil pressure) is lower than battery voltage. This means near 0 or below battery voltage . The issue is either electrical or oil pressure related. This switch is on the spool valve as you did see on the new one.
There is a test procedure for this repair in the manual. I have included it below.

It sounds like you have replaced the VTEC spool valve assembly already and the oil pressure switch. If you think that there is no oil pressure at the switch or an oil pressure issue, then do step one and verify oil pressure by removing the switch and putting a gauge in place of the VTEC oil pressure switch. Assuming you don't have an HDS ( honda diagnostics scan tool) you would need to drive the car and force VTEC operation by putting the warmed up engine under load of acceleration at full throttle high rpm. Not easy to route the gauge infront of the driver to see but its possible to have a second person in the car with you.

Assuming you have oil pressure at the VTEC switch under operation, next step is to trouble shoot the wire connections between the oil pressure switch and the PCM, including the PCM connection as well, looking for poor connections. Make sure there is a solid ground between the engine block and the chassis as well. It may also indicate a faulty PCM.






The oil pressure switch is either OFF ( near 0 VOLTS AT LOW ENG SPEED, VTEC OFF) OR ON ( 12 VOLT, OR BATTERY VOLTAGE, AT HIGH ENGINE SPEED, VTEC ON ) depending on oil pressure from operation of the VTEC spool valve and solenoid.



I have purchased a scan tool that uses a laptop version HDS. This makes diagnostics easier.
Having the honda repair manual is also helpful and they are available to buy for about 40 to 50 bucks on ebay

 

just wanted to say thanks a lot for all this info it’s really appreciated