Hi,

For a while now (1.5 year, or 7K miles in my case), my MY03 25K miles, is sputtering during VTEC. The problem was mostly intermittent (happening once in a while) but lately it is happening almost every time. When I say "sputtering" I mean fuel cut-off at regular intervals right after 6,500rpm when VTEC has really engaged. So it will accelerate to 8.5K+ rpm, but it's as if the ignition is cutting off every 1/2 second and then re-engaging.
It sounds like an ignition or a fuel problem. I tried it with part throttle (kind of difficult to do in VTEC but possible) and it occured again, so it leads me to believe it's an ignition problem. I was on a long trip and watched very carefully: it never happens outside VTEC.

- Warm engine (in fact, the warmer, the worst the problem is...)
- Mobil 1 10W30 oil. I checked the level. It was low one quart, but I added a quart and the problem persists (I've done that more than once)
- I *have* got a CEL (Check Engine Light). Actually this is the third time I have gotten this; the first 2 I disabled it manually. However: the problem started happening way before the CEL came on this third time.
- The car was serviced by Billman last year (3-4k miles since then; the problem wasn't persistent enough last year so I forgot to mention it)

I have not checked the spark plugs (but the car does sputter when sitting in traffic for a long time -- except a nice rev-up clears its trhoat every time)
Also I haven't checked the ECU or anything else for that matter... Looking for ideas or a similar problem here.

Thanks!

Yiannis

 

- Post the CEL, it's coming up for a reason

- MAP sensor symptoms, please search for it

 

Sounds like a MAP sensor to me Had the same thing happen to my car, and my customers.

 

Why remove the CEL when you had a problem??? The whole point of the CEL is to tell you what the problem is...

 

Re-seat the MAP sensor connection.

 

Aha! Billman, you exist! I am your customer but I haven't heard back on my PM for an appointment. When can I come by so you can fix it?
(PM or reply here)

Thanks!

And thanks for the quick reply guys. I though I was the only one spending my weekend in front of a computer screen...

Yiannis

 

go to autozone and have them pull the code for the cel (its free) and check the cel threads for the same code. the cel isnt something to be ignored especially when your car isnt running right.

 

I agree with pulling the code.