Check Engine Light code P1259 - '00 accord ex 5spd

[00accordex]

I began to smell gas or oil in my car, so I went to Autozone and they couldn't turn off my engine light. They gave me error codes & possible causes for the problem.

P1259 - vtec system malfunction

Probable cause:
aa1: Open or short circuit condition
aa2: Vtec solenoid valve fault
aa3: Vtec pressure switch fault
aa4: blocked oil passage

I have about 140K miles and I change my oil every 3-5K, but try to do it closer to every 3k miles.

Based on the smell, I'm definitely leaking oil & burning through it too fast, but I don't know how serious that is in terms of repairs.

Any advice on how to fix this and what I'm looking at in terms of cost?

Pictures & directions like you're telling a child how to do it would be helpful. Sorry, I'm a newbie at this stuff.

Thanks!

[somick]

VTEC solenoid is located at the back of the engine on the passenger side. Try to clean it. There should be some kind of filter. It might be clogged.

Good luck,

Sam

[00accordex]

Thanks Sam.

I read on another post that if I stay in first gear and accelerate to 5500 rpm's it might help blow out or "unclog" the solenoid screen. The post said the clog may cause the vtec not to kick in & something about an the open/closed circuit....

I did it, but couldn't tell a difference and then I went into the passenger side fuse box and pulled out the backup fuse for the clock to turn off the check engine light temporarily.

Not a fix by any means, but my mechanic is on vacation. I still smell gas/oil and am now hearing a grinding noise when shifting into/out of 1st - 3rd gears.

I'll post cause/solution once I get it fixed.