VTEC oil: solenoid-spool-valve/pressure switch assembly replaced 3x in 30k miles; P2647/2003 Honda Element | VTEC limp-driving-mode > 3krpm | https://zq3q.org/fp/p2647posttsr.1pv.os4.htm | https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1789265/

The last time the solenoid-spool-valve/pressure switch assy replaced w/cheaper non OEM part. I asked prior owner about the other 2 times – no answer.

Oil is clean, not using oil. Engine sounds fine. Little rust, I think underbody/rocker panels OK – need to verify.

Since I retired, and have a backup Corolla, I had only driven this car once or twice a week for 3 mile max trips; with perhaps 3 total longer trips in 6 months that each were less than 150mi. The P2647 light came on in the summer, then after a reset, staid off from perhaps July, until Dec 24 2025.

my long/detailed chatgpt session on my Honda Element P2647: https://chatgpt.com/share/67894272-7110-8013-8ca0-6cb52162669f

Dec 2024: My Honda dealer says I should have timing chain cover resealed, claiming oil leaks. There is some oil on engine block but no drip to pavement. Dealer wrote:

VERIFIED THE CUSTOMER’S CONCERN. PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN USING THE I-HDS TO FIND ACTIVE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S) P2647 AND THEN CLEARED ALL CODES AND RECONFIRMED ACTIVE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S). CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL AND CONDITION TO FIND THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS CORRECT. PERFORMED A SPOOL VALVE EXAMINATION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTED THE COMPONENT. PERFORMED AN ENGINE OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS IS DRIPPING. FURTHER EXAMINATION FOUND THE BANK 1 SPOOL VALVE HAS OIL DRIPPING AND IS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS.

Dealer’s repair plan:

REPLACE VTEC SPOOL VALVE 1.00 RESEAL FRONT TIMING CHAIN COVER 5.00

REPLACE PGMFI RELAY 1 AND 2 0.00

In Jan 2025, if I clear the P2647 code by disconnecting the battery, P2647 comes back on after driving 1/2 a block. The car drives fine if I stay under roughly 3000rpm, otherwise limp mode kicks in.

How do you prove the engine is ok/worth fixing ( compression check, rocker panels )? Any tips on how to proceed would be appreciated. I do not want to keep replacing this part every year.

A separate(?) issue – once every 10 days or so, the car turns over but does not seem to get any gas/won’t start. When this happens one of the relays near the glove box starts clicking in a regular rhythm, and continues clicking for about 3 minutes after I remove the key. After that clicking stops, and I try to start again it starts w/no issue. There is a green key symbol on the console that has the check engine light – I can predict the problem based on that light staying on too long after the self test ( hope I am recalling that right – in anycase there is a nice predictive pattern ). Dealer thinks this is the “PGMFI RELAY 1 AND 2” issue.

Ideas I found on https://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/problems-issues.41/ :

• check engine oil pressure while running is least 50 psi @ 3000 RPM (vtec oil pressure switch trigger pressure) | clarify
• consider, replacing the connector ( B11/VTPSW “pig tail” connector ? ) for the oil-pressure-sensor/switch.
• before replacing /VTEC oil: solenoid-spool-valve/pressure switch assy/, clean contacts on both sockets w/tiny wire brush, and contact cleaner, esp the pressure switch. Apply dialectric crease on the socket male pins.
  • Wonderful related video!: @PineHollowAutoDiagnostics 29m https://youtu.be/lbRB-BoFVmY | VTEC!…Honda Limp-Home (+ Pressure Transducer… Bad4me: the car had both P2647/0v and P2647. Mine only has P2647/12v
    • chatgpt says “you can remove the oil pressure switch from the VTEC solenoid-spool-valve assembly to expose the port for attaching an oil pressure gauge or transducer for troubleshooting. This port directly measures oil pressure supplied to the VTEC system and is ideal for testing purposes.”
• Replace VTEC oil: solenoid-spool-valve/pressure switch assy with OEM part. Apply dialectric grease on both pressure switch socket connections. Apparently only 1mA of current drops the entire 12v to zero, so any crusty junk in that socket/connector could short the switch – mis signaling low pressure to ECM. For easier access, better visual inspection: consider removing front passenger wheel when replacing VTEC oil: solenoid-spool-valve/pressure switch assy | make sense?
• replace main oil pressure switch on engine block near oil filter | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOGqdtQ_EYk How to Replace Oil Pressure Switch
  • @cajunaccla https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/oil-pressure-switch-replacement.161991/
  • Honda 37250-PNE-G01 Switch Assembly, Valve Timing Oil Pressure | 2003 Element | 2002-2016 Honda 37250PNEG01
• check, repair or replace as needed the various ground jumpers/connections: engine block; battery negative; body ground
• under the top valve cover: check that vtec rocker assemblies are still in one piece, i.e. no rollers, rockers, pins, or springs out of place ?
• remove power steering pump, to allow you to replace small oil screen-filter.
• inspect/replace small oil screen-filter, under power steering pump ( you have to remove that).
• change oil even if “not time” | what oil? Is synthetic oil worth it? | my conclusion: nope, just use normal hjigh quality/high milage oil
  • IMP: start being choosy/careful to select good quality oil filter w/each oil change | I have no idea/no shopping experience – help!
• for each fuse: remove and clean fuse contacts ( on fuses and on the socket )
• oil flush? I have no experience w/that. Is it safe to do? | my conclusion: not worth the risk
• my dealer said – remove and reseal the timing chain cover, claiming they detected leaks – but no oil drips to pavement??

• maybe unrelated, but consider replacing the (has exactly 1 electrical plug/jack) VVT Solenoid

• @Chop_E https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1740301/ “start changing the oil every 1k or so and tossing in some additives each time for the next 5k”

helpful vids or problem threads | Honda Element VTEC limp mode

• our post, i.e. this post https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1789265/

• 2023 @clintsearcy3252 7m https://youtu.be/Yyd8FuseCps?si=WTwvMFZYqUy2RsLT | Honda Element K24 VTEC screen | oil screen inspect/replace ( below pr steer pump )
• 2022 @clintsearcy3252 17m https://youtu.be/-XUBtR5Z2J4 | Honda Element VTEC issues…(part 2) | B11/VTPSW connector clip/solder/replace

• 2022 @clintsearcy3252 12m https://youtu.be/-1pJUWcD5O4?si=sXkSWC7plInSErXx | Honda Element VTEC issues…(part 3) | DYI clean/rebuild VTEC assy

• http://xklwu-2.xen.prgmr.com/imag/vtec==www.elementownersclub.com,,posts,,1731681/schematic.jpg | B11/VTPSW pressure switch node shown
• @ajchien https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/p2646-wiring-and-oil-pressure-revisited-is-the-factory-service-manual-wrong.168910 | long/worthwhile, starts w/diagram & schematic
  • https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1731681
• https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1710409/ | good post worth reading in full | also replaces VVT Solenoid; oil flush; screen below pwr steer pump
• https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/vtec-pressure-switch-bypass-p2646-p2647.173623/?post_id=1772083#post-1772083 | good concepts discussed, not an ideal soln
• https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/823505/ | electrical: clean fuses/fuse sockets
• https://youtu.be/FPUgpNhHCNw?t=123 | covers can be resealed w/o removing engine; but not oil pan | oil pan must be removed then engine must be removed – required for timing chain overhall

• https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/p2647-problem-found-and-solved-also-p2646.168758/ | P2647 Problem Found and Solved (also P2646)

• @UncleBuck https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1789924/ | dreaded P2647 code – replaced VTEC spool valve & screen under pwr steer pump. no joy…

Fixed it by putting in 5W-30 full synthetic, of all things. I guess my oil pressure isn’t exactly what it used to be.

• @Xangryth https://www.elementownersclub.com/posts/1746264/ | P2647 Code Will Not Go Away

These Vtec problems are due to ever increasing age and lower engine oil pressure- switch to 10w/30w oil and see what happens- If Honda had installed a real oil pressure read out gauge, people could see that it’s low oil pressure that is tripping the Vtec code. I assume your engine doesn’t have oil passage sludge.