I purchased my 2002 S2k about three weeks ago, it had about 41k miles on it, and is due for an oil change within the next hundred miles. I have yet to get that changed, don't know if it could be an issue...

I was driving home today, when the check engine light turned on steadily, as I was getting home (around the corner) it almost stalled out when I stopped at a stop sign, and stalled when I was backing up into my garage. I've checked the oil level, and to the best of my knowledge there doesn't seem to be anything obviously wrong.

Once I managed to park it, I turned it off, and let it cool down for an hour, then I went back out and turned it on. It is idling very roughly, shaking the whole car, and almost stalling out when I shift to first or reverse and start releasing the clutch. It isn't like this once I get it moving beyond 20 MPH. It also seems to be reacting rather sluggishly, almost like the VTEC isn't kicking in.

Any ideas on what I can check before I take it back to the dealer? I have a three month warranty on it, so if your suggestion is to take it in to the dealer, that's okay, I expect them to cover the costs.

 

If you have warranty...it would be a no-brainer to take it to the dealer...

 

The dealerships are all evil, money-making enterprises. I'd like to have an idea of what needs to be done to it, I don't trust them to address everything effectively.

I don't like making such brainless decisions, I prefer being informed, but since electronics are my specialty, I know little about the engine, and have to ask around.

 

If it is running that poorly, it's may be quite serious. Get us the CEL code so we can help further. Right now there's not enough info to go on. It could be that you have a clogged cat or that you have dropped a valve...or several other issues...without the code we would only be guessing.

 

autozone should pull it for free

 

any updates?

 

Sounds like a sensor but could be anything and if your oil is super nasty or extremely low it could have either clogged the vtec screen/filter or your vtec runs off oil pressure thus low oil low vtec. If it is clearing up after higher rpms and is not smoking violently. I think your safe in the mechanical side of the issue. The most importent thing you need to do right now though is like they said get that cel code and get back to us. Also keep the driving to a minimal!!!!!!!

 

Thanks so much everyone. It has gone away, I'm not sure what it was, but today it started up and worked just fine... Can I still get a code off the computer? Will it store it? I'd like to know what was causing it, in case it comes back.

I'm going to have the oil changed tomorrow morning as a precaution, and I'll keep you posted if the CEL comes back.

Perhaps something was clogged and it settled overnight, I'm not sure. I did recently get back after a week in Colorado, so perhaps sitting for a week and a half caused it...