I have a 98 Accord with the f23a1. I ahd this engine code (1259 - vtec system malfunction) come up once, and I just had to add a little oil (it was 1 qt low) and it fixed the problem, the dealership told me to try it and that that's they only thing he has seen cause that prob. A few months later I changed my oil, and soon after I got the same code, but only after I drove for about 30 miles or so on the highway. Now, if anything the oil is above the mark by 1/8 inch or so. I thoguht maybe the oil i used that time was a bit thin, so i switched to 10w-30 (which the manual says either 5w30 or10w30 is ok) to see if it was being caused by the oil heating up and causing it to lose oil pressure. This hasn't helped and so I'm not sure what to try next. Could it be caused by having too much oil? I have higher compression pistons too if that would make any diff. Thanks for any help you gurus out there can offer.
Brad Kreger

 

so it happens when the oil level is high right? is it still throwing a code now?...... there are other parts of the vtec system which can cause it not to come on, like the solenoid(but those are strong) the solenoid filter, the solenoid seal(if you use the vtec too much).... and you were up to normal operating temp when you tried to use the vtec right? Also, if your water temp sensor (the green one) right by the bottom of the solenoid isnt working it wont engage vtec, and if the knock sensor isnt working it wont engage vtec......

 

The problem first happened when it was low on oil, and adding some fixed it. After changing my oil, the prob started occuring again, but only after i drive 20-30 miles straight. The VTEC will engage fine, it does not seem to have a problem, but of course when the engine light comes on from the code (1259) it puts ecu into limp (no balls) mode, so the vtec will not try to engage after the light is on. However, I can stop the car, reset the ecu and clear code, and then start the car and use the vtec with no problem. Though, after not too long, the code will happen again.

 

did you do the oil change yurself or did someone else do it? that motor needs a quart more than most other honda motors I think, did you check to see if it was still low?

 

check to see if you have an oil leak anywhere.

 

Yep, had the same problem... added some oil, and it works fine. Kinda ghetto that it does that before the oil light goes on... anyone know why?

 

VTEC system requires a specific amount of oil pressure to operate. If you're low on oil you may not generate enough.


Back to the main question: Sounds like it may be a solenoid or filter problem. Those solenoids have a little filter on them that can get gunked.

Do you have an oil pressure gauge?

 

i agree, check the little filter by removing the solenoid, also check for obstruction and good conections on the solenoid and switch

~boom

 

a friend of mine had the same problem...he did everything he could to troubleshoot, and they switched the ecu to an H23 ecu and the vtec engaged....so his ecu was fried