2000 ULEV-VTEC 2.3L 137,000 miles

Last week my wife and daughters were traveling and the Honda's CEL came on. They had it checked and it was in the 1253-59 range. They didn't write it down but they were told it said VTEK System Malfunction. It was cleared, they tightened the gas cap because my wife says that normally fixes it. Nice to know now these things have shown up in the past... They had no more trouble.

They just got home but it had come on again shortly before that and they told me it's idling rough. I checked and it was PO303 #3 misfire. I cleared it and started it up and it did indeed idle rough and the CEL flashed after 30 seconds or so. The code now is 1399 which I have no reference in my book for.

Any ideas where to begin other than checking plugs/wires etc? The VTEC System Malfunction is vague and the other I simply don't know about.

Thanks.

 

I think P1399 is a random misfire.

Does your car have a distributor or coil packs?

When was the last time you changed the spark plugs? What brand did you use?

 

It's got a distributor. I guess I'll try a general tune-up on it. My Stratus is very particular about plugs- what brand do you recommend for these engines?

 

The NGK or Denso spark plugs are recommended by Honda. The specific plug should be listed in your owner's manual, or on a sticker either under the hood or in the door jamb. You can pick up the NGK plugs for your accord at most parts stores.

 

don't worry about the VTEC malfunction code. it is very RARE that those go out. I had a similar problem on my 01 accord. except mine happend at the very end of my drive from alabama to louisiana. I got to LA and my car all of a sudden lost power and could BARELY climb a small hill!!! I rented a truck and trailer and towed it back myself to alabama. It ended up being an o2 sensor that needed to be replaced. While I was in LA, i took it to a honda dealership and they said that the VTEC solenoid had gone out. Called my local mechanic and he said that it was rare that they went out. Well long story short. My repair went from $2000 to $600 in 8 hours. I would take it to a mechanic that you trust and get the compression tested, all o2 sensors, if they can test them. I wouldn't change the distributor right off the bat. I would start with plugs and wires. Check the plugs and make sure that they aren't "milky" looking. If they are, check the back of your oil cap and if it is "milky" also, then you have a blown head gasket. Good luck on the repairs and hope its fixed!!!

 

I've got a thread-in compression tester but it's on a hose. No attachment for the deep plug wells. I'm really busy with work right now so it may be heading to the shop. Thanks for the reply.