Q about testing vtec solenoid..

[cdpfxz]

hey guys & girls, just a quick question regarding the vtec solenoid, i just used a test light to check if the vtec solenoid was working, and put it in the 2 spots shown and it didnt light up at all.. i was doing it in neutral, and i understand that vtec should still kick in in neutral shouldnt it?

secondly, i disconnected the connector to the solenoid and put the light into that side and it didnt light up either so does that mean that the solenoid might be stuffed? or could it be the wiring to the solenoid?

(all these tests were done revving to 7000)

any help would be greatly appreciated (and yes i have searched!)..... thanks in advance!

nic

[EuroDude]

From what Ive read, VTEC doesnt activate in Neutral.

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showpos...1&postcount=27

[ProECU]

LOL, you actually need to be moving, vtec wont kick in without the ECU registering speed.

[pg_vtec]

vtec wont engage in neutral...

try putting it in first..

[cdpfxz]

so in other words i have to hook up a light, then run that through to the cabin? is that the only way i can test it?

nic

[EuroDude]

Well you could jack up the front wheels and drive it in gear with the bonnet open, but you better not do that, it could be very dangerous.

Just get a long wire and rig it around the bonnet through the driver window and blue-tac it down. Or get a VTEC indicator installed yo!

[cdpfxz]

ha yeh, the first idea doesnt sound too good.... might be exciting though! :lol:

yeh i might just hook a light up to it tomoro and run that, if i hooked it up to the vtec wire off the ecu, it wouldnt light up if the solenoid was stuffed would it? like it'd do the same thing hey?

sorry for all my questions, im new to vtec as ive been a turbo boy for the last few years! and cant find answers to these searching.. thanks for all ur help

nic

[iamhappy46]

Hey nic,
Will give you a hand tomorrow at Willowbank if you have any problems...

I had a VTEC LED on my Gf's Civic. I can show you which wire you need to cut on the ECU and then rig up a LED or bulb so you know when VTEC is on...

[EuroDude]

But a vtec light wouldn't tell if the solenoid if working or not would it? The light would only tell you if the ECU is sending power to the solenoid. (correct me if i'm wrong).

I would imagine an ECU code will tell you if there is anything wrong with VTEC.

[iamhappy46]

To quickly test if the VTEC solenoid is working, apply a 12V feed directly to the solenoid wire(with the ECU side connector disconnected) and you will hear a clicking sound to confim it works.

[cdpfxz]

hey! yeh that'd be good if u can help me out! i might try hookin up a power line to the solenoid tomoro, thats a good idea! cos i did think about wat euro dude is saying about the power going to the solenoid but doesnt mean its working!

nic

[ECU-MAN]

But a vtec light wouldn't tell if the solenoid if working or not would it? The light would only tell you if the ECU is sending power to the solenoid. (correct me if i'm wrong).

I would imagine an ECU code will tell you if there is anything wrong with VTEC.

yes your right, that only test to see if the ECU is giving the Solenoid power.
its best to take it from the solenoid to ensure your wiring to the solenoid is ok.

To quickly test if the VTEC solenoid is working, apply a 12V feed directly to the solenoid wire(with the ECU side connector disconnected) and you will hear a clicking sound to confim it works.

that to is an awsome Idea/test, but you have to rev the car to 1500 rpm as the oil pressure at idle is not enough to engage VTEC,
downside with this though it dosnt test each individual cylinder. You have to do a VTEC bleed test on each cylinder to ensure the VTEC piston is locking all 3 rockers together.