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2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 So I am getting the P1259 code, but only after 20 minutes of driving on the highway... I lost 5th gear a LONG time ago and haven't been able to replace the transmission (have a spare but no time to swap them...) I have proper oil level, I have good oil pressure, I replaced oil and filter (problem started before replace), Checked wires and the solenoid and oil pressure switch, all checked out. I am unable to check the solenoid while driving though... Is it possible the solenoid is heat failing? I know my Cruise control relay is... but that is a relay and Cruise isn't necessary... The symptoms are almost identical... Cruise for 15-20 minutes then BOOP no more cruise until the car cools down... VTEC for ~20 minutes then BOOP P1259 until the car cools down... Yes, I reset it while driving... just pulled over, ran the OBDII tool, reset keep driving as soon as I hit 3300 RPM BOOP P1259 again :*( And of course P1259 puts the car in damn limp home mode (no more then 60MPH or 4000 RPM...) |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by Nakinto
(Post 4747699)
So I am getting the P1259 code. I have proper oil level, I have good oil pressure, I replaced oil and filter (problem started before replace), Checked wires and the solenoid and oil pressure switch, all checked out. Remove the Vtec solenoid and clean (or replace) the Vtec solenoid gasket screen and the solenoid itself with brake cleaner spray. Reinstall and hope for the best. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 I have good oil pressure My pressure gauge has a bunch of numbers on it, not words. LOL Do you know what the oil pressure specs are? You checked pressure on a cold engine, or what? P1259 code, but only after 20 minutes of driving on the highway 20 minutes is about when the oil is getting hot and thinning out, so......after it gets the oil hot the pressure could really be too low to keep the switch contacts (open or closed, whichever) while vtec is on. There's a special tool to adapt a pressure gauge to the vtec pressure switch port. If the oil filter is restricted there would be a large pressure difference between measuring at the idiot light switch and measuring pressure at the vtec pressure switch. If you really think the solenoid is going bad when it heats up, measure the amperage it's using while it's in operation. See if it changes dramatically just before it trips the fault code. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 That is a good suggestion Ezone. Sorry, I didn't include this in the op. I used the Honda service manual guide https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...lfunction.html Love these forums I rarely have to actually ASK any questions :) Oil pressure is at 61 PSI at the dummy light... I haven't bought the special adapter yet, but as I stated I did this before and after replacing the oil filter to rule out the filter being the cause. I see what you mean that 20 minutes the oil is thinning, not sure that should cause this I use full synthetic "high Mileage" 5-20 weight. (the recommended) I have used that since I purchased the car at 156k now at 312k (replaced engine at 186... previous owner didn't change the oil... Blew a BIG whole in #2 cylinder...) I recently had to replace the Cat, engine was having issues and when I checked the exhaust pressure... WOW at 3000 rpm the back pressure just spiked... Megalodog, I have NOT replaced or even checked that screen... I will have to get new seals and take it off again, at least it is easy to remove... I will do that in 3 days (I work weekends and the spare has a big whole in the rear brake line...) Again, Thank you guys for your help! I love it! |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Oil pressure is at 61 PSI at the dummy light but as I stated I did this before and after replacing the oil filter to rule out the filter being the cause. ============================================== From your link to the other post, they want to make sure it's got more than 57PSI at the vtec valve when hot and 3000 RPM: Step 19) Remove the VTEC oil pressure switch (A), and install the special tools as shown, then reinstall the VTEC oil pressure switch Step 27) Start the engine and check the oil pressure at 3,000 rpm Is the oil pressure above 390 kPa(4.0 kgf/cm^2, 57 psi) =============================================== not sure that should cause this I use full synthetic "high Mileage" 5-20 weight. Hmm. Q&D check might be to just fill the oil with 10w40 and see if that keeps the code away? |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by ezone
(Post 4747711)
Doesn't matter. It's still 5w20w oil. Hmm. Q&D check might be to just fill the oil with 10w40 and see if that keeps the code away? I Think I am going to be forced to have the shop check the pressure at the Solenoid (I am NOT spending $300 on an adapter... that is highway robbery! :hithead:) If the pressure comes back good while warmed up I am going to take off the solenoid and check it, if it is clean etc, I am going to just replace it ($150 on Rockauto...) Thank you guys for the suggestions |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 forced to have the shop check the pressure at the Solenoid (I am NOT spending $300 on an adapter... You'll hear "YES" over the phone, but onced you actually drop the car off it's a different story........ |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Additional Information. While driving to work today, the main freeway is closed, my drive came to a crawl... I reset my computer (P1259 hit again...) and after getting back up to 70mph it took 18 minutes for the code to re-appear... I started the timer after I hit 3200 RPM. Any insights? This seams very strange to me, unless the computer only checks every 20 minutes or so for the signal... I really don't know how the ECM and the VTEC system code works...:shrug: |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 unless the computer only checks every 20 minutes or so for the signal |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by Nakinto
(Post 4747740)
I really don't know how the ECM and the VTEC system code works...:shrug: When the car has enough oil pressure to activate that switch the computer is happy. When the computer activates the vtec selenoid it expects that oil pressure to drop to stay happy. When the computer de-activates vtec it expects that oil pressure sensor to trigger back. Its all about the expected state of oil pressure at that sensor vs the reported. Seems when air gets pulled into the oil pump usually due to low oil levels, there is still a “window” where there is enough pressure to keep the idiot light off, but not be enough to power the vtec. Toss in loss of oil pressure when engine is hot, with wear and tear opening up gaps lowering oil pressure and of course clogs and failures of the selenoid and pressure switch and you have a afternoon of diagnosing to,do. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 So talked to my mechanic and two local dealerships. None of them have the equipment to do the oil pressure check for this... On the way to work though, in 90+ temps P1259 didn't trip until almost 40 minutes into the drive... I wonder if there could be a piece of metal in the line or an air bubble? If tonight the code isn't thrown for longer then I am going to leave it this weekend (I have M-Tu off) and see what comes from it through next week. I will still be ordering a new Solenoid (Honda gives weird names to things... says this isn't a solenoid...) and if the issue resolves itself I will have a spare part in a bag with my other spare parts... (MAP, TPS, Complete Head, 'newer' injectors etc) Thank you guys for the assistance and the knowledge. MUCH APPRECIATED! |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 If your rpms are not high enough for,vtec to be switching on and your getting the error then it’s likely a oil pressure / sensing issue not the vtec actuator. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by Slumpertcivic
(Post 4747769)
If your rpms are not high enough for,vtec to be switching on and your getting the error then it’s likely a oil pressure / sensing issue not the vtec actuator. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Certainly possible the actuator is overheating from being constantly on and randomly failing. I would pull one off a junkyard car before buying third party. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by Slumpertcivic
(Post 4747793)
Certainly possible the actuator is overheating from being constantly on and randomly failing. I would pull one off a junkyard car before buying third party. Any idea of other years that might have the same Vtec solenoid? |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Oh they get sent to the boneyard here. your local might crush them right away lol Yea the time element makes it sound like it could be a bad winding in the solenoid. I thought I mentioned using an ammeter to monitor current, but that's not all that easy lol 01-05 civic with vtec all use the same for sure FWIW the pcm does not monitor the solenoid current so it can't tell directly if it is in control, the pcm only monitors the vtec pressure switch and uses that info to judge if the system worked |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Ezone, you did mention it (not sure if it was here or elsewhere) I just am not sure how I am going to go about DOING that you know? it isn't like these plugs are... interchangeable or easily found... I have no clamp on ampeter so I would have to put it in-line (I am certain it shouldn't be more then an amp... I COULD cut the line I guess and then shrink rap it back when I am done... |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by Nakinto
(Post 4747844)
Ezone, you did mention it (not sure if it was here or elsewhere) I just am not sure how I am going to go about DOING that you know? it isn't like these plugs are... interchangeable or easily found... I have no clamp on ampeter so I would have to put it in-line (I am certain it shouldn't be more then an amp... I COULD cut the line I guess and then shrink rap it back when I am done... Other than cost involved, it's probably much easier to bolt on another unit and see if it works. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Well, Ezone, It is definitely a failing coil... The heat shrink/cut idea gave me a better one... Heat shrink a wire to the plug and put the meter in between the two sections :) needless to say... 13 minutes into use (Vtec system) the meter spiked to 12 amps... and I pulled the plug on the meter... It appears the Vtec solenoid is shorting out as it heats up... FUN TIMES :( Again, thank you guys for all the help! It is has been much appreciated. |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259 Hey guys, I’m late in this conversation but, I have the same problem, after 20-25 minutes my car drop p1259 and the car won’t pass 4K rpm, your problem was the vtec selenoid or a bad coil? Thanks! |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by JonathanPR
(Post 4783669)
Hey guys, I’m late in this conversation but, I have the same problem, after 20-25 minutes my car drop p1259 and the car won’t pass 4K rpm, your problem was the vtec selenoid or a bad coil? Thanks! |
Re: 2003 Honda Civic Intermittent P1259
Originally Posted by JonathanPR
(Post 4783669)
Hey guys, I’m late in this conversation but, I have the same problem, after 20-25 minutes my car drop p1259 and the car won’t pass 4K rpm, your problem was the vtec selenoid or a bad coil? Thanks! Now, it was the Coil in the solenoid. The entire solenoid had to be replaced |
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