slayer2333

Hi Folks,

I just wanted to get some advice on a problems that has been occurring sporadically for the last 2-3 months on my Acura RDX 2014 Tech (133,000 KM):
- A few months ago i noticed that on rare occasions when AC is ON and the car is on idle, the car starts rambling as if it is going to shut off but then stabilizes again (maybe this is related)
-In the last few weeks the car shuts off when i was at a red light, this started as a very rare occurrence but now it is happening 1-2 times a week, specifically at idle or when just starting to accelerate after idle. (never happened on high speed so far). When it shuts off it only battery and oil lights are on, no error message .
I observed recently that sometimes when driving for some time, the oil temperature sensor goes all the way down even though i've been driving for an hour or so, then as soon as i stop at a light or switch to reverse, the car stalls. Another thing is that it usually happens when AC is ON.

Now when i think about the oil temperature sensor i immediately think about a faulty S-VCM (that i installed 7-8 months ago without issues), my logic is that maybe it is now broken and it sends erratic temperature values to the system. On the other end if it is broken it should ALWAYS send wrong temperature values, not only sometimes.

Any thoughts on this issue ? Maybe dirty or faulty spark plugs ?

egads

Remove the S-VCM and drive it for a week or two, If the symptoms go away, get ahold of the S-VCM seller for a warranty replacement.
Over at the Odyclub there is a member having issues with their S-VCM. Not the same issues, but it is allowing VCM to engage on really hot days.
The Odysseys have an ECO light that come on with VCM.

There are some other things. Like an oil leak that leaks onto the alternator. Or radiator cooling fans not working as they should. Do look at the sticky with service bulletins in it.
Could just be a loose battery connection.

samiam_68

Agree, remove the VCM bypass.

egads

And don't forget to do it when it when the engine is cold or you might (probably will) get a check engine light.
The S-VCM is supposed to shut itself off when disconnected from the battery. Perhaps there is a bad connection?
I would just remove it though, for clearer diagnoses. It will also be gone if you have to seek professional help.

thoiboi

did your S-VCM come with different resistors?

egads

The S-VCM & VCMTunerII Advanced do not have replaceable resistors or a dial. They are both fully automatic. And require a wire run to the battery.

slayer2333

Thanks for the advices folks, yesterday i did a transmission oil change (seems like it's been 45,000 km since the last change!) then drove all day (traffic + highway) and not a single issue. Before driving i also moved the S-VCM connection with the battery to a more secure position. Not a single issue during the drive, will continue for a few days and see, if it happens again i will remove the S-VCM and test it for a few weeks to see.

When i checked the S-VCM i remembered how weak the gauge is for the battery connection.

egads

At an auto parts store you can get a lead cap that goes over the battery terminal and makes the clamp tighter. Honda battery cables have little to no margin of error.
It is a VERY bad idea to use one of those replacement clamps. If the battery cable is bad, you must replace the entire cable. Once you price one, the dirt cheap battery
shims will seem like a very good idea.

As an aside, I bet you are going to need a new battery soon.

slayer2333

Update after several weeks: It is definitely the S-VCM that was causing the problem, i removed it a few weeks ago and the shut off problem went away completely.
It's been 2 years since i installed S-VCM so it is probably out of warranty, any similar/better products since then for the VCM?

Thanks for the help folks.

egads

The latest & greatest is the VCMTunerII Advanced. Like the S-VCM, it works all the time, will shut itself off and show the actual temp in an overheating situation.
It also shuts itself off if the vehicle idles for a minute I think. So a mechanic can do idle relearns and such without needing to remove it.

It is made by the same guy who made (still makes) the VCMTuner with the dial that is adjustable.