hello everybody, the CEL went on in my 2005 EX-L 2.4 and when I checked it with an OBD2 reader it gave me a P1009 VTC Advanced Malfunction code, I have looked this code up and it could me a lot of things. I checked my oil level and it's fine, and it's also clean as the dealership I purchased the car from a couple of weeks ago changed it. The car runs and drives good, no stalling or jerking or shaking of any kind, even when it's idling. Should I clear the code and see if it comes back?, or should I take it in to a Honda dealership to have it looked at and fixed?, would I risk doing major damage to the motor if I wait a few days before bringing it in?, any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance, cheers!!

 

Beware. I have seen this before where the dealership takes a car on trade and either a code was cleared before the trade or the dealer had cleared them. Start by taking it back and see what they can do for you. The problem is that you won't know if it just happened or had come on in the past.

 

Agree w/ Turtlehead. This is likely a pre-existing fault that was masked during sale.

There is a screen that can be cleaned which may or may not resolve the code. You will need shop manual to remove PS pump and auto-tensioner to access the screen. Again seller should address the problem if a repair is necessary.

Are you experiencing a cold engine rattle at startup? Later models w/ this engine had this problem.

good luck

 

thanks for the reply's, I took the car to a honda dealer today, looks like it's either a clogged screen and/or a faulty vtc actuator, so when all is said and done it will cost me about $500. But what I really want to know is is it possible to mask this issue for 10 days?, because when I bought the car to when the light went on it was 10 days, and when I reset the code the light came back on within 24 hours, thanks again for the responses

 

Fault may be intermittent and returns w/ irregular interval. It may be a recent fault, but timing of sale is very suspicious.

good luck

 

I also feel this is very suspicious.

 

Yes, I do believe that it's suspicious, but what I want to know is if this can be masked to last 10 days worth of driving totaling 400 kilometers before the light, that was reset would come back on?, I don't understand what you mean by timing of sale Texas, are you saying that it can be masked for that long?, once again, thanks for the responses

 

I don't think anyone can say for certain whether the problem could or could not be masked for 10 days. If problem is always present the answer is no, however if problem is intermittent, the answer is yes.

good luck

 

I got my car back today from the dealer, turns out it was the VTC oil control valve, cost me $665 when all was said and done, thanks again for all the help, information and suggestions, cheers!!!