bricem

I'm hoping that the collective genius of the forums can help me out on this one. About a month ago, my car (01 Civic EX sedan) starting throwing P1259 codes (have a ScanGauge so I can reset it). It hasn't affected my driving at all but I'd like to figure out what's wrong.

It doesn't come on every time I start my car but happens a couple times a week and it's normally when it's below freezing outside. Not related to VTEC engagement at all. Sometimes I'll reset it and it doesn't trip again for a day or 2, other times I'll reset it and it'll come back 30 seconds or so later. I tried cleaning out the VTEC solenoid but that doesn't seem to have done anything (didn't think it would since it doesn't seem related to VTEC usage).

So, my thoughts are that it's electrical :-( and that seems like it'll be a bitch to fix. Anything else I should try before hitting the dealership? If you need any additional info about the car, let me know and I'll update the post. Thanks in advance.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

P1259 VTEC System Malfunction

i tried cleaning mine too and it fixed it for a few months, but in the end i had to buy a whole new solenoid to fix the problem. it doesnt really affect the way the car drives, because vtec only works above 4500 rpms when you floor the gas pedal. otherwise i did notice the auto trans was not shifting as fast.

DieMaster

iTrader: (5)

check that the solonoid and the switch are working. there on the passsenger side just behind the EGR.

oh if your running a EX ecu an a D17A1 then u'll get these codes asthe hardware isint there.

bricem

Yeah, it hasn't been affecting my VTEC at all. I just reset it while I'm driving and the VTEC activates like normal if I floor it. I've got a manual so it just shifts slower if I'm lazy ;-)

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

yeah i used to do that but it would keep coming on if i went above 2800rpms. i got tired of constantly resetting the light, and i think it may affect gas mileage. just grab a new one and swap it out if you can. its not very hard to replace. also im not sure if this is the reason, but whenever i drove the car hard and long distance, the light came on all the time. i think maybe the oil is too thin and causing a problem (5w20), so now im using 5w30. i switched when i replaced the new solenoid so i cant say for sure, but maybe next time switch to thicker oil if you live in hot climate. also be sure the oil is at the top of the dipstick.

bricem

Hmm, now that you mention it, I didn't start seeing this issue until I started running 5w20 again. I was running Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 and I started seeing it a week or two after switching to Mobil1 5w20. I'm still running the 5w20 at the moment but I'll try switching back on the next oil change.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

yeah the problem is most oils will shear down after some driving, so the 5w30 prolly becomes 5w20 over time. and the 5w20 becomes even thinner.