Vtec indicator light problem

peteypab · #1 11-19-2003, 08:06 AM

ok i have a 01' civic Ex, and i did the v-tec indicator light mod, i think i did everythign right. I got all the necessary stuff, i wired the led to the 330 ohm resistor (negative end) then the pisitive to a wire, then to the ECU. when at the ECU i wired the postive end to the Green wire with the yellow stripe, like everyone said, then the neg to ground. when i turn my car on (only power, no engine) the light turns on, so i know it completes a cuircut, but when i start my car, let the enguine warm up, and go for a drive to see if the light works nothing happens, the vtec engauges, but the light dosent do a damn thing? anyone have anny sugestions, or anythign that i can try, im all ears.

peteypab · #2 11-20-2003, 12:19 PM

and i seen nobody wants to give the new kid the time of day.

quick95civic · #3 11-28-2003, 07:39 PM

hey, I did the same indicator light in my civic but I have a obd1 so I am not sure exactly what wire you need to use but it sounds like you have wired into the wrong wire. I would suggest looking under the hood and find the VTEC solenoid, and see what color wire is hooked up to it, there should only be one wire. That wire should then go over to the passenger side right where the strut tower is. On the engine side of the plug find the colored wire that goes into the plug that matches the one coming out of the solenoid, I think it is the one on the top front of the plug all the way to the passenger side but dont hold me to that. Then look on the ecu side of the plug and see what wire it is that comes out of the other side of the plug opposite from the one that you traced. Go inside and find the wire that matches the one on the ecu side of the plug under the hood. That is your VTEC signal wire and that is the one that you are supposed to wire into. If you have a tester "and know how to use it" assuming you do you can check to see if you have a signal when you turn the key on, there shouldnt be any voltage. If you need any more help with the problem just let me know, glad to help

peteypab · #4 12-02-2003, 10:39 AM

Hey, someone actually sepnt the time ot help me out. THANK YOU! i figured ppl wouldent want to give the new kid any advice. But you proved me wrong. Im in Norfolk Virginia right now, but i will try doing what you said as soon as i get home. And get back to you if i need anymore help, i think your right, i just tapped into the wrong wire. Ill double check the one coming off the selenoid and trace it to the ecu. Thank you for the help, ill let you know if i have any more trouble with it. thanx. i appreciate it!

h22lude · #5 12-10-2003, 09:34 PM

i called a place that sold the indicator light it was made by doluck or somthing and they said it cost 130. could you please tell me where you got yours and where thanks

peteypab · #6 12-11-2003, 12:42 PM

i diddnt spend more than 6 bucks on mine. all you do is go to RadioShack and get a few parts and wire it your self ill post a link to the site with what you need and instructions:
http://www.hazone.com/hvlight.htm

ghost94 · #7 12-16-2003, 08:06 PM

I followed the instructions from the link works great thanks

peteypab · #8 12-17-2003, 06:40 AM

no problem man, i just wish mine worked right, but ohh well what are you gona do?

ghost94 · #9 12-17-2003, 03:32 PM

is it a wiring issue, vetc not working, is there enough oil inthe car, are you letting it warm up, are the sensors good,
I picked up the signal right next to the plug by the sensor b/c it is a swap and some wires are not clear their origin inside the car but if you wire it from the green wire w/yellow stipe to the positive side of thr led
negative side to the resistor rasistor to ground that should do it
hope it helps

ghost94 · #10 12-17-2003, 03:38 PM

sorry for all the retard questions just trying brainstorm

brimX · #11 01-01-2004, 02:09 PM

ok in the tutorial, it says the green wire with the yellow stripe is on the middle connector? i only see a green with a yellow striped wire on the last connector which is closest to the hood. maybe my ecu is upside down or somethin, but are you guys positive its the green wire with the yellow stripe. also, i think there are two of those wires, but i have to double check. i have a 94 civic ex 4d and it says vtec on the engine so im pretty sure it should have a wire.

chimchim · #12 01-05-2004, 12:20 AM

I have more questions regarding this subject. As an electrical engineer, I know about electronics but I'm a noob auto mechanic. Hazone seems to know a lot, but I'm concerned about this VTEC light thing.

First off, they say to use a 330 ohm resistor. But there are many different rated LEDs which will draw a different amount of current. Plus, by tapping the exact same wire that the ECU drives to activate the solenoid, it creates a parallel resistive load which effectively reduces the load seen by the ECU. This would mean that the ECU is then driving more current than it's normally intended too. Has anyone confirmed that this is within driving capacity of the ECU?

Better yet, does anyone have the drive strength specs of the "green wire with yellow stripe"?

I assume this is a 12v signal... is this 12v from the power supply or is the ECU actually driving this? (IE, is it just a resistive pull up to the 12v source?)

Also... how do you remove the kick panel? There seems to a plastic plug that won't come out. How do you guys remove this plug?

Kinked210 · #13 01-11-2004, 07:43 PM

when does vtec kick in on a 93 civic ex?

chimchim · #14 01-15-2004, 03:51 PM

I guess no one knows what I asked about?

BTW, at Radio Shack, they have some 12V LEDs with 630 ohm resistors built in for like $2.95. I chose green. If you go this route, you won't need to worry about soldering the resistor or matching the LED rating to the resitor size, since it's already spec'd for automotive use.

As for the plug, it's just a barbed plastic plug so PULL HARD. It will come out.

Kinked210 · #15 01-19-2004, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brimX

ok in the tutorial, it says the green wire with the yellow stripe is on the middle connector? i only see a green with a yellow striped wire on the last connector which is closest to the hood. maybe my ecu is upside down or somethin, but are you guys positive its the green wire with the yellow stripe. also, i think there are two of those wires, but i have to double check. i have a 94 civic ex 4d and it says vtec on the engine so im pretty sure it should have a wire.

exactly the same with my 93 ex.

there's two green wires w/ yellow stripes on the last plug. i just played eenie meenie miney moe to pick which one to use lol.

my only problem is, what do i do with the negative wire? where do i attach it to?

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