2002 Honda Civic MIL/Airbag Dash Light Lit

AMCNGUY

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
70,000 MILES

Hi, My Daughter's Civic MIL/Airbag Light lit up @ a month ago. I plugged my scanner in, & got a P1259 code-"VTEC Malfunction".
We took the car over 4000 Rpm. It runs fine, w/no sputtering at all.
I don't remember if the MIL lit up close to an oil change, or not. My son-in law did the oil change, w/5-30 Castrol, & a Fram Extra guard filter.
Reading on the internet, someone said that you "Have" to use an OEM Honda filter. I'm just trying to eliminate the simple possibilities first, before I dive into the VTEC System.
Also, Is that P1259 code Shared with any other function? Thanks in Advance!

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi amcnguy,

The MIL and AirBag should be separate issues.

Normally if the V-TEC code is recorded, the probable cause is electrical. Check the v-TEC solenoid for loose wire connections.

This is a iVtec? If yes, you most probably won't get any spluttering if the vtec is not working, only thing you would notice is the vehicle becomes sluggish and runds out of breath as the rpm increases.

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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 7:26 AM

AMCNGUY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi, Thanks for your reply. I am still wondering if an "improper oil filter" for this VTEC 2002 Civic, could have created the issue. My Daughter now tells me that the indicator light came on, & stayed on, approx 500 miles after an oil change. And Oil level is not low.
Correction: son-in-law used 5-20w Castrol semi-synthetic oil, w/Fram"tough guard" filter. Could the existing Fram filter be leaking pressure past its internal bypass valve? And, possibly not producing enough "pressure" at the V-Tec pressure switch?

I'm just trying to look for easiest possible solutions first. Thanks!

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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 8:23 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi amcnguy,

It is possible for the filter to be the cause however 5w20 seems out of specs.

Why not get an oil and filter change and see if it solves the problem.

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Thursday, June 12th, 2008 AT 8:56 AM