H22 VTEC Engagement Problem

[Eicher]

Okay, so Monday I'm picking up a '93 wagon with an H22 in it. I took it for a ride and it runs awesome, BUT, the guy has Vtec to a toggle switch (problem in itself). He explained to me that he did it because Vtec wouldn't engage before. He said he checked his pins and said everything was alright. I looked at the ECU and it's a chipped P28.

What I'm wondering is though, could it be the solenoid that's bad? I'm definitely gonna recheck all the wiring, and probably re-pin (if it's not right) and wire it up the right way as soon as I get it.

I'm just looking for maybe some suggestions as to why it wouldn't engage before.

[deevergote]

Is the ECU throwing a CEL? If so, that'd be one reason for VTEC not to engage.
How is the oil pressure?

Honestly, it sounds to me that this swap was REALLY halfassed... so you might be wise to just rip it all apart and be sure to do it all right! I'd suggest getting a P13 to get everything running properly. THEN reinstall that P28 when you can afford the time and money to properly tune it. Anyone who has VTEC hooked to a toggle switch probably doesn't have the good sense to do a proper ECU tune (and no intelligent tuner would even attempt to tune an ECU unless everything else was already running properly!)

[danbpt]

hey i was just aboout to post this i have a H22 in my 92 coupe that once was a auto and made it 5 speed !. i have the same problem and it threw the 21-22 CEL code so what i did i got a new switch the 22 CEL had went away i redid the wires to the vtec switch. now let me explain my problem

till today i still have this problem , when vtec crosses over it sounds like its two stepping and very rough throttle from 5500-8200 rpm , im not saying that i shift at 8200 rpm but it sounds like there firecrackers coming out my exhaust

now what i done to the car

new dizzy
stock p13 tuned
double platinum NGK spark plugs
NGK spark plug wires
changed oil to Mobil 1 10-30
skunk2 intake
AEM fuel rail(stock injectors)


i have rechecked all my wires and my ecu wires! no cuts anywhere or oil, moisture anywhere. so idk what else i can check i also need help with this. i also checked the oil switch for the pump above the oil filter clean wires there

[92smokeaccord]

loosing any oil or coolant?like it just gone not leakin anywhere..

[danbpt]

no leaks and i i have coolant filled up

[deevergote]

hey i was just aboout to post this i have a H22 in my 92 coupe that once was a auto and made it 5 speed !. i have the same problem and it threw the 21-22 CEL code so what i did i got a new switch the 22 CEL had went away i redid the wires to the vtec switch. now let me explain my problem

till today i still have this problem , when vtec crosses over it sounds like its two stepping and very rough throttle from 5500-8200 rpm , im not saying that i shift at 8200 rpm but it sounds like there firecrackers coming out my exhaust

now what i done to the car

new dizzy
stock p13 tuned
double platinum NGK spark plugs
NGK spark plug wires
changed oil to Mobil 1 10-30
skunk2 intake
AEM fuel rail(stock injectors)


i have rechecked all my wires and my ecu wires! no cuts anywhere or oil, moisture anywhere. so idk what else i can check i also need help with this. i also checked the oil switch for the pump above the oil filter clean wires there

So this thread is suddenly about you now?
Let's fix Eicher's problem first, shall we? It sounds like your engine is crossing over to VTEC, which means you do not have the same problem, and it's really rude for you to attempt to hijack his thread in the 3rd post.

[Eicher]

Thank you deevergote. Not trying to be an ass, but you could've made a thread just like me.

Back on subject though, I won't know anything for sure until tomorrow evening. But I do know the check engine light was on when I took it for a test drive. I can assure you though the swap wasn't half-assed, because this is the only thing that is wrong with it. Everything else was done proper, it's honestly one of the cleanest bays and motors I've seen without a wire tuck. I'm also somewhere where people do half ass things though, so that might not be saying much, haha. He also has a couple other cars that were pretty nice.

The oil pressure I'm not sure about. It seems to run fine with no problems. But I'll have to check that and let you know.

[danbpt]

hope you figure out whats wrong with your car, cause im still having trouble

[deevergote]

Thank you deevergote. Not trying to be an ass, but you could've made a thread just like me.

Back on subject though, I won't know anything for sure until tomorrow evening. But I do know the check engine light was on when I took it for a test drive. I can assure you though the swap wasn't half-assed, because this is the only thing that is wrong with it. Everything else was done proper, it's honestly one of the cleanest bays and motors I've seen without a wire tuck. I'm also somewhere where people do half ass things though, so that might not be saying much, haha. He also has a couple other cars that were pretty nice.

The oil pressure I'm not sure about. It seems to run fine with no problems. But I'll have to check that and let you know.

Hooking VTEC to a switch IS halfassing!

The best thing to do, really, would be to start working backwards... follow a swap thread, going backwards through his work, making sure everything is done right.
The FIRST thing to do is get a P13. Troubleshooting with an unknown chipped ECU can be very difficult. Remove that variable, and you'll have a much easier time of things.

hope you figure out whats wrong with your car, cause im still having trouble

At this point, nobody cares.

[Eicher]

Yeah, I just looked on craigslist and I found someone close to me selling one for $30. So I'll do that. And yeah, I know the trigger is halfassed, haha. I was just talking about everything else. I put an LS in my EG hatch, and was just going from that. I'm new to VTEC motors, so that's what I'm not completely sure about with what could be wrong.

[Eicher]

Well, my check ended up not clearing yet so I'm gonna have to wait a couple more days 'til I can pick it up. I'll keep ya posted whenever I get it and let you know what's up.

[Eicher]

There's actually a couple things I found out about this wagon. For one, it's Chris Bolins old wagon that he made 600+ whp with and the videos on YouTube if you type 93 accord wagon and it's the beige/tan one. And the second is that it's not an H22, it's a G23 that Chris built. If you don't know who Chris is, he was featured in Import Tuner with his G23 vs a K24. I'm pretty sure it's not the same motor though. Just some food for thought. Im gonna check the Vtec wiring tomorrow though.

[HappyGilmore]

There's actually a couple things I found out about this wagon. For one, it's Chris Bolins old wagon that he made 600+ whp with and the videos on YouTube if you type 93 accord wagon and it's the beige/tan one. And the second is that it's not an H22, it's a G23 that Chris built. If you don't know who Chris is, he was featured in Import Tuner with his G23 vs a K24. I'm pretty sure it's not the same motor though. Just some food for thought. Im gonna check the Vtec wiring tomorrow though.

I pray that you have it properly done too. I would be very wary of that swap since they can be hit or miss sometimes esp if the bottom half isn't bored to 87 mm (size of the h22 bore) from 85 (F22A bottom). I would deff ask a few more questions about that swap if you can just to make sure you aren't getting a lemon.

[Eicher]

Yeah, I'm gonna try and figure everything out about it. I'm gonna try and get ahold of Chris on HT, and see what he says. The guy that sold me it said it has K20 pistons and some headwork. But he also told me it was an H22. So I don't think he has any clue about the motor. So now I got a lot of work on my hands.

But for $2350, with no running problems besides VTEC, I think it was a good deal.

[QUOTE=HappyGilmore;3100908esp if the bottom half isn't bored to 87 mm (size of the h22 bore) from 85 (F22A bottom)[/QUOTE]

Well, it's the F23 bottom end. So it's 86mm right? SHOULD it be bored if it isn't already or is it okay? I thought the 87 would be for K24 pistons?

[deevergote]

K24s are 87mm, yes. However, unless the block has been sleeved, you have an overbored open-deck block. Hopefully it was sleeved if 600hp was pushed out of it. If not, then it's probably about shot.

Buying someone else's project is always a bad idea.


Also, please don't say "G23". The G series engines have 5 cylinders. They are not a mix of H and F parts. I know that's what the idiots on other forums and magazines like to call them, but that's simply because they're ignorant of the fact that the G series actually does exist.