Rep Power: 269

So it has happened to me twice with the same cause and result, but I don't understand what happened. There is a cloverleaf entrance to the interstate that is two laned, banked, and inclined up to the overpass. With no traffic on the road the last two times I have enjoyed this ramp I have had the same problem. I get into the curve and get up to just braking the tires loose and can feel the throttle response with the sliding, great feeling! Then the engine goes into a sputter until the engine revs under 3500rpm and the check engine light comes on. What I've done both times is kill the ignition and pop the clutch to restart with no more sputter but the CEL stays on. I live about 20 miles away so drive it home to deal with the CEL tomorrow. The next morning I plan to stop to have the code read and the light goes out a couple miles down the road.

So questions are:
1. What causes the engine to sputter and throw the code? My first thought was low fuel getting to the pump therefore no gas, but the first time it happened I had just filled the tank with gas.
2. Can I have the CEL checked at the local auto parts store with the light no longer on? I thought once the light went out it was gone into oblivion.
3. Why the problem at 3500rpm? Lower would make sense if Vtec crossover is supposedly at 2500rpm.
4. Does this happen to AutoXers? I know they take corners faster than I have so this can't be an across the board problem.

Any information or help would be appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 269

Anyone have any clue what's going on?

 
Rep Power: 564

you might be low on oil?

if you have vtec and the oil is very low in the pan this can happen when you turn too sharply causing the oil to shift. If the Vtec doesn't get sufficient oil to run the ECU will shut it down and in effect cause it to become a rev-limiter.

This has happened to me twice...hehe. Took a hard turn on a ramp and suddenly my vtec wouldn't engage and I had to keep it under 4,000 rpm's..lol. Once I stopped the car and restarted it after a few minutes it was fine but I had to get oil in her fast. The CEL will reset itself.

hope this helps.

 
Rep Power: 269

That makes sense. I was thinking gas instead of oil. This month is oil change month so hopefully that will fix the problem. Thanks Pharoah!

 
Rep Power: 812

ya oil starvation when you take a corner fast and flooring the gas, vtec will not engage if the pressure is low, and you get a nice CEL light.

 
Rep Power: 564

no problem, glad I could help. If your oil change isn't for a few days you should probably dump a litre of oil in there to tide the car over otherwise it'll happen again...hehe.