Help... Clutch change and now NO VTEC! - Honda Prelude Forum

krazyshane · 01-19-2005, 08:13 PM

Okay... well i recently had the clutch assmebly replaced, the flywheel resurfaced, and my master cylinder replaced. The repair went well, and although costly, my car is driving once again. However, since the repair (today), my car no longer will go into VTEC. I no longer feel the kick of VTEC @ 5200 rpms, and the fuel is cutting off at 6,500 rpms. It's acting as if vtec isnt there... much like it will when the engine is too cold. I need to check my oil i just though about that, but what else could cause this problem... It went into the shop, came out, and now vtec wont work

Oh how i've missed my car.

Shane

ryuryu · 01-19-2005, 08:28 PM

you probably took out a sensor coupler out by mistake and forgot to put it back in. I can't tell you exactly where it is, but check all the couplers and make sure they are tightly snug with each other.

I did this once with another Honda.

Prelude1897 · 01-19-2005, 08:38 PM

Sounds like something isn't hooked up like "ryuryu" mentioned

krazyshane · 01-19-2005, 09:14 PM

Well, first of all, i didnt do the clutch work, AAMCO did. Second of all, i checked my oil and it was too low. So i go down to wal-mart, and it takes a full quart, and then is where it should be. On the way home, i try to hit vtec again, and nothing. However, this time i get a check engine light. It threw code 22 which is a VTEC system malfuction. DURR Anyways, it says that one of the possible causes of this could be the ECM. I know that they had the battery unplugged for a while, because i had to put in my radio security code. My dad tells me that, the ECM needs 100 miles to "reset" itself, and that it may fix my problem

Here are some other causes:

VTEC Solenoid Valve
Open or Short in VTEC Solenoid Valve circuit
VTEC Pressure Switch
Open or Short in VTEC Pressure Switch Circuit
ECM

Any advice anyone?

krazyshane · 01-19-2005, 09:30 PM

Also, although this is a smaller problem, they had the car lifted and had the wheels off at aamco. Now, i get shock knock in the front right. This is totally new. If i turn hard enough, or hit a bump i hear a clank kinda. I know it's suspension related... anyone?

Thanks
Shane

PRelude787 · 01-19-2005, 09:46 PM

First thing I would do is reset the ECU to see what happens then go from their.

When I did my clutch/flywheel I got a CEL after installing everything and the car ran like ****. Turned out to be this little gold cap that goes inside the VSS. Cost me $2 to get from Honda and fixed the problem......but it felt as if my car was going to fall apart then blow up.

As for the "shock knock"......they more than likely had to remove the front right shock assembly, lower control arm, and radius rod and had to remove the axle as well. Somewhere along the way they must have not tightened or forgot to install something. I would take it back to them and have them recheck it.

Revi-Ra · 01-20-2005, 04:18 AM

If they just removed the tranny, the only disconnections should of been your VSS Sensor, shift lever, back-up switch conenctor, starter cables, few vaccum hoses and your tranny ground cable. Theres a few other things but they should of not touched the VTEC solenoid. They problably damaged it or lossen a wire. I know after i did my clutch change i had no problems, the car pulled like a mule. Check your tranny ground cable and the VTEC solenoid unit and all its wires and connections. Make sure nothing is damaged.

jc836 · 01-20-2005, 05:05 AM

The front suspension has a tendency to have an issue witht he Anchor bolts-if it is taken apart. They MUST be torqued correctly. It is not hard to do as you can see both of them on the right front upper arm . They run thru the tower horizontally. Make sure the shock upper mounts are torqued to 28ft lbs too. I agree that you should check the torque on all of the suspension bolts that were undone.

krazyshane · 01-21-2005, 12:14 PM

Well... on the way home from school yesterday, the clutch started slipping too. Even in 5th gear, so it needs to be adjusted. I was a little pissed, and went in there, and gave him a list of problem... The VTEC, the Clutch, and the Shocks... he wrote it all down, and i talked to the technician himself some too. Hope they get it working.

Shane

marcucci · 01-21-2005, 08:04 PM

Start documenting things. It sounds like they totally boned the job. I would recommend paying Honda to check everything out and then take that list back to AAMCO and show them. They should pay for the checkup and fix everything. If they don't, tell them you'll go to the BBB on them.

On the suspension, check all the bolts for tightness. Make sure they torqued the lug nuts and axle nut properly on the passenger side.

On VTEC, make sure the VTEC sol and pressure sensor are connected properly. These are next to the distributor, two connectors, one green and one gray.

If they botched this up, chances are the car may be dangerous to drive. I would get it resolved ASAP, and make sure it's done right.

Philosopher JR · 01-21-2005, 08:35 PM

Yeah get the official word from honda.
Now you know where to NOT take your car.

krazyshane · 01-22-2005, 04:53 PM

I know what you guys are saying but i'm tight on cash.... this repair costs me a lot, and pretty much bankrupted me...

marcucci · 01-22-2005, 06:10 PM

Then go back to AAMCO and be prepared for them to f**k it up some more.

I would go back and ask to talk to the manager. Nothing so far has been good and that's probably the only person that can possibly make it right at this point.

hyper89si · 01-23-2005, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazyshane

Well, first of all, i didnt do the clutch work, AAMCO did.

well that explains it. if you are going to pay SOMEONE ELSE to work on YOUR car, at least go to a honda specialist. you may pay a little more but at least you'll have that piece of mind. my advice is to learn and do your own repairs. nobody cares about your car like you.

krazyshane · 01-24-2005, 09:27 AM

Well... good news from AAMCO.

They got the clutch adjusted, so that's not a problem.. i also have a year warantee on that, so if it goes bad, i can get them to fix it.

They got the VTEC fixed... it was just an unplugged sensor.

They found the clunking on the passenger shock to be a strut bushing, and they have one on order from honda. Will be there tomorrow morning, and shortly after, i can have the car back.

My only cost for this second wave of repairs is $88 for the bushing

ill let you guys know how the car actually turns out when i get it.

Shane

marcucci · 01-24-2005, 09:48 AM

Sounds like they left something out. The struts don't have "bushings." There are some rubber isolator pieces, but unless they forgot something on the reinstallation they are not wear items. I would argue that one, but at this point you might want to count your blessings.

You should get the alignment checked after the R&R on the suspension like that.

krazyshane · 01-26-2005, 01:47 AM

Well, i got my car back and everything is great :bigthumbs: All works well, and the knocking sound is gone. It was apparently a bushing/connect on the end of my swaybar? Well it's fixed so i'm happy. great to have VTEC back.

WEEEEEE