Engine will not go above 5000 RPM.

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edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
My older Accord will not go above 5000 RPM lately. It's almost as if a rev limiter is engaged.
I rarely go above 5000 RPM but sometimes, when you need to get on the highway, you need it.

I think it redlines at 6 or 7000.

I read online that a dirty air filter will sometimes cause this because the engine is lacking airflow, so the ECU limits the RPM so you don't blow your engine.
I haven't changed my air filter in at least 3 years.

I will get a new air filter tonight, but I thought I would ask opinions on here in case I should try anything else while at the car parts store.
 
PlasmaBomb

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
81
Hell you could even take the old dirty air filter out and run it with none for a very brief* period and see if it makes a difference.

* air filters stop crap getting in your engine and ruining it... go for a drive and warm the car up, then pull the filter. See if it pulls past 5k, if it does buy a new filter and fit it. If it doesn't buy a new filter and fit it.

Disclaimer: AT-garage and PlasmaBomb not responsible for any damage caused...
 
exdeath

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Check if there are any problems logged in the computer and have someone inspect real time engine signals on a scanner for normal values. Sometimes they can go into a limp mode or fallback table with reduced performance and lowered max RPM when problems are detected, namely with key sensors like MAF or MAP sensor. If it seems like a rev limiter, than it is most definately deliberate.

Vacuum gauge test can quickly determine if restricted airflow is an issue. You'd have to have an extremely dirty filter for it to win against the vacuum the engine is able to create. So much that you would have an extremely hard time starting and idling.
 
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evident

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
12,097
711
126
trying too hard to get the vtec to kick in? like others said clean the air filter and maybe even the throttle body if it has one. at the most, get a tuneup
 
PlasmaBomb

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
81
imported_exdeath said:
Check if there are any problems logged in the computer and have someone inspect real time engine signals on a scanner for normal values. Sometimes they can go into a limp mode or fallback table with reduced performance and lowered max RPM when problems are detected, namely with key sensors like MAF or MAP sensor. If it seems like a rev limiter, than it is most definately deliberate.

Vacuum gauge test can quickly determine if restricted airflow is an issue. You'd have to have an extremely dirty filter for it to win against the vacuum the engine is able to create. So much that you would have an extremely hard time starting and idling.
Click to expand...

Limp home mode should trigger the check engine light... (as should a dead MAF or MAP)

Could be the fuel filter too as others have said (which should also trigger a check engine light).
 
boomerang

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Winter is coming. You may pull that air filter out to find that mice have nested in there. They filled my father's air cleaner housing up with dog food once. The car would start and die.
 
exdeath

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
PlasmaBomb said:
Limp home mode should trigger the check engine light... (as should a dead MAF or MAP)

Could be the fuel filter too as others have said (which should also trigger a check engine light).
Click to expand...

Should. Many things can prevent the lamp from lighting, or delay it from lighting right away.

But not much can deliberately prevent an engine that otherwise appears normal to rev beyond a specific point.
 
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jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
My '86 MR2 had a similar issue - would bog at high RPM and fall flat on its face. I did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil and fuel filter -- problem solved. Unfortunately for you, I did them all at once so I can't tell you which one fixed it. :p
 
boomerang

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
JDub02 said:
remove the wood block from behind the gas pedal. :p
Click to expand...
I had a '67 Dodge Dart with the slant six that was a real dog. One day I had a friend mash the gas pedal and the throttle was only opening about 1/3 of the way. This was back in the day of adjustable throttle cables, so I adjusted it to open fully and it was like dropping a second engine in there.
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
My redline is ~6250.

I had AutoZone do the OBDII check and it came up P1253: VTEC system malfunction.

After searching for that... it seems that a low oil level, bad oil pressure switch, plugged fuel system, etc can cause it.
The AutoZone guy wouldn't clear the code for me though.

I replaced my air filter, but haven't gotten it up to 5000 rpm yet.
I'll test it tomorrow.
I bet it's the fuel filter...

I'll keep everyone up to date, because I know how much you care :)
 
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jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
edro said:
My redline is ~6250.

I had AutoZone do the OBDII check and it came up P1253: VTEC system malfunction.

After searching for that... it seems that a low oil level, bad oil pressure switch, plugged fuel system, etc can cause it.
The AutoZone guy wouldn't clear the code for me though.

I replaced my air filter, but haven't gotten it up to 5000 rpm yet.
I'll test it tomorrow.
I bet it's the fuel filter...

I'll keep everyone up to date, because I know how much you care :)
Click to expand...

jlee said:
My '86 MR2 had a similar issue - would bog at high RPM and fall flat on its face. I did plugs/wires/cap/rotor/coil and fuel filter solved. Unfortunately for you, I did them all at once so I can't tell you which one fixed it. :p
Click to expand...

That may be worth a shot, then. :)
 
N

Nessism

Golden Member
Dec 2, 1999
1,619
1
81
edro said:
My redline is ~6250.

I had AutoZone do the OBDII check and it came up P1253: VTEC system malfunction.

After searching for that... it seems that a low oil level, bad oil pressure switch, plugged fuel system, etc can cause it.
The AutoZone guy wouldn't clear the code for me though.

I replaced my air filter, but haven't gotten it up to 5000 rpm yet.
I'll test it tomorrow.
I bet it's the fuel filter...

I'll keep everyone up to date, because I know how much you care :)
Click to expand...


Are you keeping up with the oil changes? How often and how many miles between? Sounds like the oil may be as old as that air filter, and now the valve train is sludged up.
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
I know my S2000 limits redline based on engine temeperature. It will cut fuel if it isn't warm enough to be safe to switch to the hot cam settings. I've never run it hard when its cold, but I've read enough threads by 16 year olds wanting to know whey their car won't "veetech" straight out of the driveway on the way to school to be aware of the feature. I would assume Honda does the same thing with all their VTEC motors, but again I've never ran my cars hard when cold so I can't verify it.

Anyway, if your car is warm when you're trying this, you might have a messed up sensor somewhere.
 
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edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
I found the problem.

Last night, I decided to take the VTEC solenoid valve off to visually inspect it.
While disconnecting the connector, the wire pulled out of the connector easily.
I decided to remove the connectors and solder the wires together.
I covered the splice with heat shrink tubing.

It works great now!
I was able to clear the check engine light with my code reader.
VTEC works again!
 
V

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Still change the fuel filter and also the PCV valve. Take care of it now and not worry for at least another 30k or so.
 
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