Rep Power: 0

bought an 03 ex auto last month, and took it on the highway for the first time. turns out i can’t accelerate past 4k in forth gear. looked around old forums and the most common problem I saw users link it to was a bad ECM causing it to go limp. but it doesn’t flash the check engine on and off like limp normally does. any ideas?

 
Rep Power: 367

is the light on or not?
so only in 4th gear? is it revving above when in other gears?
about ECU, check if the alternator bolts are loose or not

 
Rep Power: 224

My guess, fault code for VTEC which causes limp mode. Engine limited to 4k at all times.

 
Rep Power: 0

CEL lights on but only for an evap code. yes, it revs about 4k in other gears. i’ll check the alternator tonight. thank you g🫡

 
Rep Power: 0

i thought so as well, but no code for anything like that. from what i’ve gathered, when it goes into limp mode it should b bumpin the rpm at idle up n down, but it ain’t¿ idk man. imma obd it again tn n c if any new codes popped up. thank you bro🗿

 
Rep Power: 224

Limp mode would have no affect on idle. I would guarantee there is another fault code, likely related to VTEC.