vtec doesn't engage- fluctuation in idle
 

Just finished swapping a d16y8 into my 97 civic dx. I added a vtec solenoid wire, oil pressure wire, and knock sensor wire. I cannot hear any change in exhaust tone or feel any power surge. The only thing that I haven't done yet is connect the 2nd O2 sensor as they are different on the two cars and the primary on my car has stripped threads. Are the two sensors different? Also, would the secondary being unhooked cause vtec to not engage? One strange but possibly unrelated sidenote is that my speedometer is acting weird since the swap- it's like it stops working for a few seconds. Anyways any help is appreciated.
Oops- also the car idles strange, it goes up and down every two seconds-possibly the O2 sensor.
Thanks,
Samuel


[Modified by samuelneely, 1:20 AM 12/9/2002]

Re: vtec doesn't engage- fluctuation in idle (samuelneely)
 

idle going up and down has nothing to do with the o2 sensor
i think your probably throwing a code other than the secondary 02 sensor, if your not
here, run through this.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=164863

Re: vtec doesn't engage- fluctuation in idle (samuelneely)
 

did you swap the whole motor or just the y8 head? or intake manifold? problem could be a vacuum leak...

Re: vtec doesn't engage- fluctuation in idle (samuelneely)
 

check ur oil pressure.

Re: vtec doesn't engage- fluctuation in idle (MikeMAN)
 

That's what I'm thinkin too, do you have enough oil, is your pump still good, is your oil pan dented.... Any of these reasons can cause inadequate flow the the VTEC pressure sensor which will cause your VTEC to either not kick or fluctuate...