I swapped a 98 B18C1 into my 96 DX coupe. Vtec kicks in for a certain amount of time and then without notice, stops working. I get a complete rpm cutoff at 5000 rpm and I get a CEL code 22 (VTEC pressure switch). If I restart the car either at a stop light or whatever, I'll be able to hit Vtec a couple of times again (even with the check engine light on) and then it does the exact same thing as before. My rpm cuts off at 5000 rpm. It basically bogs at that speed. It does the exact same thing that any engine does when it has a rpm or speed cut off. When I hit Vtec though, I can redline it. But once I get the rpm cutoff at 5000, I have to turn the engine off and then back on to be able to hit Vtec once more.

Anyone have similar symptoms to this or might know what I can do to try and fix this odd problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Have you checked your oil level?

Think of replacing the VTEC pressure switch? h:

 

If I restart the car though it works, for a short period of time. I'll let you know what happens, I currently have bigger problems with it.

 

Could be an oil pump problem then...

 

hondas really need to come with an oil pressure guage.

Check your oil level, replace the oil filter, replace the pressure switch and if the problem persists (which I doubt it will), you may have a pump problem, as Josh mentioned.

If you're loosing oil pressure (I'm thinking of your other thread here), check all over the block and check all your lines for leaking oil. I'm thinking that "coolant" dripping onto your cat may actually be oil... just a thought. Take a close look.

 

When I wired up the Vtec pressure switch, I used an OBD1 pin, which doesn't really fit perfectly into the clip that goes into the ecu (OBD2 ecu and engine). I bought some OBD2 pins now just in case. Do you think maybe the connection is loose due to the OBD1 pin?

For the leak, I am 100% sure it's coolant. I backed up my car to see what color the puddle was and it was green and when it came in contact with the cat, it was smoking white.

 

ok.

Yeah, if the connection is loose, it could cause that problem. I'd make absolutely sure that thats the problem before I went around flogging the motor though. If it turns out you really are having low oil pressure/oil starvation problems, you're likely to destroy your motor.

Why'd you use an obd1 pin? :thinking:

 

I unfortunately didn't notice it was an OBD1 clip when I bought it at the scrap yard. Stupid mistake!

 

ahh...

 

Thanks for the support.

I'll let you know what happens.