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P2646 after Head Gasket

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Old Aug 20, 2012
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P2646 after Head Gasket

I am moving this to a new post since it was getting lost in the head gasket thread I had and I want a documentation with an end result. Too many with questions, but no final answers.

I had the typical head gasket repair done, as well as the major service, done last week. I picked the car up after the mechanic drove it around a couple of times (about a block each) turning it off each time. No CEL at that time, no high rpm's. Got it out onto the freeway and there goes the CEL.

Borrowed a scanner and I pulled a P2646 code. So off to buy the expensive pressure switch tomorrow to try and repair it. (This part is WAY too expensive for what it is).

My question to you who have more knowledge than I, is there anything short of the harness not being plugged in or the switch getting damaged in the repair process that would/could/may have/Mr. Murphy crawled in motor and caused this during the head gasket repair? In my case, I am sure Mr. Murphy is there and in serious need of an a$$ beating, but time will tell. And of course I work grave shift to make this more fun to chase down the part and make repairs!

Any advice? I am going to try and find my MM and test prior, but I will send the wife on a part hunt in the mean time while I am catching some sleep. Feel free to chime in with any suggestions/info/recommendations. I put 198K on my 02 Accord with not a problem while this thing has soaked me for a trans, clutch, slave cylinder and a head gasket. All between 83k and 115k.
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Old Aug 20, 2012
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Re: P2646 after Head Gasket

Don't see a vehicle, but is it one of the ones having the pressure switch directly above (and close to) the oil filter? If so, have you been able to take a look at it? Maybe the mechanic wacked it using a filter wrench, or even his hand, and bent it or messed up the wiring. Seems like quite a coincidence for that switch to go right after the filter was changed
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Old Aug 21, 2012
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Re: P2646 after Head Gasket

Problem solved. I too believed too much of a timing issue for it to happen right after the head gasket and the sluggish performance, lower revs. I started thinking about it on the way home and came to the conclusion it had to be some issue with the VTEC solenoid.

Pulled the airbox and air cleaner to find the solenoid wiring was not connected. Dont know how it happened, if the mechanic failed to connect it or how it could have come apart, but about 25 minutes to take apart, re-assemble and clear the codes with the scanner and we have a winner.

No more problem.

Lesson learned, if you experience the same thing get a scanner and check the solenoid connection.
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Old Aug 21, 2012
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Re: P2646 after Head Gasket

removing the head involves pretty much removing and unplugging almost everything in the engine bay. im not surprised he missed that and its pretty good that nothing else was wrong.
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Old Aug 21, 2012
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Re: P2646 after Head Gasket

Agreed, good mechanic, but he does have another mechanic working for him now. He seems to be a good wrench turner. When I found the wire unplugged, both ends were tucked under another section of harness. If you did not know to look for it you wouldn't notice it unhooked. It took really getting it up to speed on the freeway to trip the code. All good in the end and he is throwing in a free oil change for the trouble and requires I bring it back after 500 miles to spend about an hour going over everything to make sure it is running right and tight.

BTW, buying an Actron scanner tomorrow to add to the tool box.
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Old Aug 21, 2012
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Re: P2646 after Head Gasket

**** happens, I sometimes check my work over 2-3 times and still miss things.
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