vtec solenoid = shotgun bullet

 

"I think I have a bad solenoid after reading MANY MANY post about problems with vtec.... after 5500rpm... it may or may not come on.... depending on how it feels that day and if it doesn't come on ... it feel like the engine just quits at about 7000rpm.... any help would be appreciated!!!"

Pick up a "HAYNES MANUAL", a Ohm meter (Multimeter), look up VTEC Solenoid and check the OHM's. As for your engine quitting at 7K, its called a Rev Limiter.:rockon:

 

well.. thanks for that insight but the rev limiter shouldn't be coming on until 8000rpm though.....

 

if you had oil in your system you might have VTEC, yo
everyone always says... oh my VTEC solenoid is bad, yo!

no. its not. it sounds like you are having oil consumption issues
due to failing components, therefore causing loss of oil when driven hard. also, this condition and not knowing this condition exists causes one to NOT check the oil. if the oil level is under 1.5qt, it in most cases will not light the VTEC solenoid. this may not be accompanied by a CEL /22 for VTEC system failure. if the solenoid is not working, it is not because it is broken, it is only a hydrolic cylinder bore with a spring that pressurizes the rocker system that locks the VTEC pistons in place. I would check the oil before making any assumptions. and yes, you can run power to the solenoid and it will click if good. they very rarely ever go bad... they need only to be cleaned out and reused. the screens in them can get clogged up with crap if your motor is full of bearing particles or dirt/rocks that creep into the engine through the intake