Hello fellow S2K owners!

I browsed the common problems section of this forum and have searched not only here but on plenty other Honda forums as I imagined a similar issue with VTEC is possible on any type of vehicle that comes equipped with.
I had a little over night dissapearance of VTEC in my '05 AP2. At first I had a check engine light (CEL henceforth) and I went straight to the shop I used to work at to get diagnostics knocked out of the way. The code (Which I can't remember now) urged me to check the catalytic converter (That I remember). After doing a search on Google and seeing people having similar codes and no VTEC I went ahead and did what most of them recommended be done; clear the code and see if it pops up again. After clearing the code it never turned back on, but I still had no VTEC (As a matter of fact, it's quite the opposite; when I hit the RPM where VTEC should engage the car feels like it bogs out a bit).
I then went ahead and did a way earlier than needed oil change. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and that's what I stuck it out with. Still no VTEC.
I thought maybe something was up with an o2 sensor although no codes popped up for 'em. I checked and they were in place and seemed fine.
Now surely there are people that will want to tell me to start knocking things out one by one, but I don't really have the money to spend on replacing parts that aren't even bad. What I'm asking for here is for help narrowing down the list of things that it could be. I checked all the plugs and wires on the VTEC solenoid and all that good stuff. The gray plug, the one beneath it, the clips... you name it I checked it.
Now, with no CEL and no VTEC, has anyone had a similar issue that could maybe point me in the direction of what to do next?
And to save your time and mine, I understand that driving it to Honda and having them figure it out and fix it is a solution. I'd rather not do that, but if in the end I cannot figure it out I suppose I'll be left with no choice.
I appreciate your input ahead of time, and thanks for reading my post

 

Came on all of a sudden, obvious check would be the connector to the vtec, as you look at car from front it is on the left side sticking out of the engine, a silver thing with a plastic wire connector. without that being connected you don't get vetc.

 

Yes those wires and connectors have been checked and are all in place. I'll post pictures.

 

pull your ECU fuse and put it back in after a couple of minutes...the computer may need to be reset for whatever reason

 

I've unplugged the battery for several minutes. I assume this would reset the ECU without having to unplug the fuse. If it makes a difference then I'll try unplugging just the fuse to the ECU. A local friend explained how to test my solenoid by connecting it straight to the power and listen for a click. I'll have to give that a shot on my next day off.

 

i'm sure you know that vtec engagement happens under a set of circumstances that have to be met aside from rpm (throttle position, oil pressure, engine/coolant temperature)

i don't know if you've done this because you haven't mentioned it on your posts, and it might be dumb of me to assume that you haven't checked it out, but i would suggest to check your oil level, make sure your car is fully warmed up, and check for slack on your throttle cable.

 

The one thing I haven't checked from that list is for slack on my throttle cable. I'm going to check that out Wednesday morning, thank you very much for the tip, it's greatly appreciated.

 

I am also having similar issues.

A shop just recently swapped a newer engine and transmission into my s2k.

I have no VTEC, and it seems to bog out as well.

There is also an issue of my whole car's electrical system clicking on and off at higher RPMs.
Its as if it wants to stall for a few seconds, then stops clicking and goes back to normal.
Maybe a loose ground or power wire connection somewhere?

Another issue that Im having is my speedometer is fluctuating at the wrong speeds. Ex - I may be going 100 kmh, but the speedometer on my cluster may show a random number from 10-100 .. At lower speeds (<60 kmh) it usually shows the correct speed. But at highway, its always showing lower than the actual speed.

My car is an 01 s2k F20C. The new engine is also an F20C AP1.

Im bringing it back to the shop tomorrow to have them diagnose it as well. They still have my old engine/trans from the swap.

Any suggestions on sensors/relays/etc they may need to swap from my old engine to the new one?
The old engine ran 100% till it blew.

Also, the new engine/trans already came with everything:
Complete Head and block
Wiring Harness and ECU
6 Speed Manual Transmission
Exhaust Manifold
Intake manifold
A/C Compressor
Clutch
Flywheel
Downpipe
Injectors
Alternator
Distributor

*EDIT*: The shop found a ground cable that came lose by my speed sensor. Everything, Speedometer & VTEC, is now working 100%.

 

the honey comb in the cat might have come lose and is clogging up the air flow. which might explain why you are experiencing the boggness or w/e

 

I have the same exact issue as you did. I brought to the shop and had them replace the VSS and thought the vehicle would work but it didn't. My question is were you showing 0 mph when you would drive? I'm still showing 0 where ever I go and my VTECH is still not engaging and it boggs down which causes it to goninto lymph mode. I'm thinking I need a new dash.