Anyone have any tips for accessing and removing the ECT for VCM Tuner II install on a 2014 Acura RDX?
Only YouTube was for a Honda Pilot which appears to have a little more clearance.
Briefly tried to reach ECT but kept scraping my hand. Could not reach and pinch to remove.
Thanks.

 

It's a bit painful reaching in there to get it out. I pushed the part down a bit while compressing the clip on the connector and then pulled it up. Still a pain though.

 

Thanks. Will give it another try. Good to hear someone else confirm it’s difficult to reach.

 

Be sure to do the installation with the engine completely cold. If you don't...you're apt to get a CEL with your next start-up. Also...you'll probably get a nice burn for your trouble.

 

Thanks, I did see the install instructions to do it with a cold engine. However, I tried again and must have fatter hands than most. Still didn’t get it off and ended up with bloodied knuckles. Probably will let my mechanic install at next oil change (at 100k miles). Will be due for timing belt, water pump, tensioner, etc.
I am impressed to those of you that were able to install yourselves.

 

Update: Got it installed with help from my wife’s hemostats. Everything is working now. Thanks again.

 

Hi trcollins59,

I am not sure whether you installed VCM Tuner or Tuner2.

I just bought a 2014 RDX tech AWD and installed VCM tuner2 today.

I noticed exact same things as Eugene mentioned in another thread, idle rpm slightly higher and temp gauge SAME AS BEFORE.
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...-worth-990583/

I used OBD2 scanner to read ECT1 temp, it is 185F, the same as before I install the VCM tuner2. With this, I am not sure if the VCM tuner2 is actually working or not.

A little extra, I noticed the fan is on and off frequently while in parking. Like on for 5 seconds, off for 2 seconds, on for 5 seconds, off for 2 seconds ... I didn't pay attention to whether it was behaving like this (before installing the tuner2). May need to take off tuner2 to figure out.

Did you notice anything similar either to the ECT1 temp or the fan?

Thanks.

ZG

 

To answer my own questions:

1. After work, did a drive again and measured ECT1 with OBD2 scanner, now it stays at 165.2F (74C) in both driving and parking mode, just as designed. Not sure why this morning, immediately after installation, when I drove around and then measured ECT1 while parking, the reading was 185F, same as before installing Tuner2. (Comparing the photo taken on temp gauge, it is now about 1/3 tick lower than before).

2. Fan on/off very often seems to be common for Acura. If I turn off climate control completely (not even blowing air), the fan seems not doing the on/off.

Thanks.

ZG