well I guess you can add me to the list of people whos actuators dont work . Mine doesnt move. I had my wife rev it up past 4500 RPMS and it didnt budge. Hard to believe I have been driving it around for 6-8 months . I will take it in tomorrow.
the last 7 characters of my vin are A010353 so I guess this is 10353 off the assembly line. Is that early enough in the series to have this problem ?

 

i do checks for the actuotor once a month..

 

I will once it is fixed. I have been putting it off thinking the car cant possibly be too much faster so nothing can be wrong. Maybe I was wrong. I went out twice and each time had my wife rev the engine up 3 times past 4500 RPMs and nothin moved. This sucks.

 

My S/N is 009493 and I haven’t had this problem once.
I check it regularly after reading of all the problems that people are having.

(Mental note) *** Check it again this weekend ***

Shawn S

 

Can't you just tell by driving it past 4000 or so RPM that the engine changes noise and the VTEC kicks in?

I guess it's hard to tell if from day one it never happened, but if yours was good in the first place (not you thholr), then you should be able to tell as soon as you gun it whether it went bad, right?

 

The “VTEC” and the actuator surge are two entirely different things.

The secondary intake doesn’t sound that noticeable from the “cockpit” even with a CAI.

Shawn S

 

Funny, but with changing temperatures and other conditions that impact performance, it can get very hard to notice. A 40-degree drop in temperature will give you a 6% increase in HP!!

So, the only SURE way to check is the "SHAWN" technique -- you need to get under the hood and look or feel the actuator moving. (I use the Braille method...)

I'm in the check it once-a-month category... (Mine is still working)

 

well I havent tried the braille method, but visually there is nomovement to 4500RPM . I guess it is kinda hard to tell if it is working period since it pulls real well nyway . who knows, I will pring out the page and tell him to check the shit and I will take out another Cl-S and compare if he gives me shit. If he still argues, I will call wayne and let him tell the guy how to check and fix it .
Funny that there isnt even a service bulletin out on it .

 

I disagree - the 2nd intake is VERY noticable to me! Both in power and sound! The growl definitely gets louder at abour 4900 rpm or so.

Of course, I usually have my radio off just to hear it...

 

ahhhhhhhh, that sweet VTEC sound...Is there anything else like it?> :p

 

If I’m not mistaken, that is the VTEC sound you are hearing.
Mine sounds like a screaming BANSHEE at 5,000 as well.

The secondary intake opens at an earlier RPM......NO ????
Someone that has grease under their fingernails please clarify this.

Shawn S

 

The secondary intake opens at 3800 rpm
The VTECH high profile cams shifts at 4800 rpm.

With my Injen CAI, in cold days/nights (Temperature less than 50-60) I can hear the first shift at 3800 rpm.

Regardless of temprature, I can hear the second shoft at 4800.

To be sure shut off the audio, drop the windows and have a run at a cold night

 

My actuator clicks at around 3800 I guess, is that what it supposed to do? I figured that if at least it moved, clicked, then at least it works. Someone clarify this for me please? Thanks

 

Shawn you are probably right, sorry, I thought the VTEC was at the same time approximately as the actuator, hey what do I know?...I just checked mine (using the golf club to press the gas) and mine is working...whew!

 

There's actually another way to check the actuator behind the wheel, by sound alone.

1. Rev to 4200 rpm, actuator should rotate at 3800 rpm. It is possible to hear the actuator click, but only under the hood so that doesn't help you when you're solo.

2. Once you hit 4200 rpm, immediately let off of the throttle and you hear a slight "phsssssh" much like a mini blow-off valve as the tach falls just below 3800. That, my friends, is the sound of rushing air as the butterfly is closing back up. So, if you can hear that, your actuator is doing it's job of opening the butterfly.

P.S. I have NOTHING scientific to back this up, but I am making an educated hypothesis (regarding the sound) based on my past experience of with two failed actuators and periodic checks of my third one with and w/out a second party.

[ 07-20-2001: Message edited by: droideka ]

 

What a dumbass! Sorry! :o

[ 07-20-2001: Message edited by: droideka ]

 

Look on the bright side: If you were happy with your car's performance before you found out about the actuator, just think how you'll feel once its fixed!

 

For us newer owners of CL type S's, could someone please tell us where this actuator is found?

 

I can't believe you said that...

Hint -- "can you say VTEC?"

 

It is just about 1/2 way between the two fenders near the firewall of the engine compartment. You will see a throttle "type" cable running from it to the passenger side of the engine.

It is about the size of a fist -- you will know when you have found it.

Note -- if you do the testing on it, please try and check for movement/operation (by feel, touch, or "the click method") by running from 3800- to 4200 RPM. Some actuators (like mine) don't really "click" or move until about 4100 RPM (at least according to my tach).

[ 07-20-2001: Message edited by: EricL ]