[willyfixit]

On my 2010 EX-L, the check engine light came on. Foxwell reader said 87-2 fault. Where do I find what that means?
I cleared it, now to see if it returns. I've been messing with the adjustment dial of the VCMtuner, that has been on since 3/9/20. Trying to determine what is causing the temp gauge to rapidly drop to cold then returning to normal. I've replaced the thermostat with Honda OEM, still does it. I'm beginning to think the VCMtuner may be at fault. What say you?

 

[WiiMaster]

From what I found in some online searching, 87-2 appears to be equivalent to P0128: a thermostat code. This code is common when the resistance value is too high on a VCM disable device or when the thermostat is having an issue.

So it looks like your temp gauge issue is related.

What say you?

Remove it and test.

 

[billdenny45]

From what I found in some online searching, 87-2 appears to be equivalent to P0128: a thermostat code. This code is common when the resistance value is too high on a VCM disable device or when the thermostat is having an issue.

So it looks like your temp gauge issue is related.

Remove it and test.

That’s my next test, remove muzzle. I just hate to see the “eco” light on.

 

[thscott]

That’s my next test, remove muzzle. I just hate to see the “eco” light on.

?
It would only be for a few minutes. Then you put it back in.

 

[willyfixit]

?
It would only be for a few minutes. Then you put it back in.

The thing is, I drove it 200 miles Friday and everything was normal. Stopped 3 times, normal. The wife drove it the next day and bam! CEL.... testing in progress...

 

[kernel]

Hmm.... "..the next day and bam!" Adjust the wife?

 

[willyfixit]

The thing is, I drove it 200 miles Friday and everything was normal. Stopped 3 times, normal. The wife drove it the next day and bam! CEL.... testing in progress...

And the issue continues.... 3 months later.. I didn't have a problem with the VCMTUNER removed (except for the ECO light coming on) for a week as suggested but didn't have a problem with it reinstalled for 3 months either. I replaced the ETC1 sensor last week with OEM part because the gauge still varies a lot, I readjusted the tuner a bit until I saw a steady temp of 160-162 on my Foxwell at ETC1. The gauge is steady now. It's been driven a couple hundred miles now. Yesterday while I was out of town, the wifey had the CEL come on while driving. Outside temps about 70. Got home this evening and checked the code = 87-2 as before. Cleared the code and a test ride with Foxwell reading live temperature at ETC1 shows 160-162. I think in this cat and mouse game, the mouse is winning.

 

[celicool]

Error code P0128 indicates that your engine coolant temperature is below the thermostat regulating temperature. This means that your Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has recognized that your engine is running cooler than it's supposed to. (Google definition not mine).

This is the code you would eventually get when you run your muzzler with high resistor. In this case your VcmTuner did.

Unplug your muzzler.
Do a PCM reset. Hopefully, your foxwell comes with Honda software.
Shut the engine off and wait for your engine to get cold.
Plug your Vcmtuner back in and hope that you won't have to deal with it for another 5-6 years. You can only fool the PCM for so long.

Hence, run your muzzler at 82 ohms not 120 ohms.

 

[willyfixit]

On my 2010 EX-L, the check engine light came on. Foxwell reader said 87-2 fault. Where do I find what that means?
I cleared it, now to see if it returns. I've been messing with the adjustment dial of the VCMtuner, that has been on since 3/9/20. Trying to determine what is causing the temp gauge to rapidly drop to cold then returning to normal. I've replaced the thermostat with Honda OEM, still does it. I'm beginning to think the VCMtuner may be at fault. What say you?

OK. Here is the findings; I had replaced the thermostat and ETC1 sensor with no change in symptoms. I sent the tuner to VCMTUNER with the permission of Brock Eastman (owner). They found the adjustment plug had a cold solder joint (bad) causing increased resistance intermittently. They replaced the plug and returned the harness to me at no cost. This took one week turnaround. It's working like it should now. Keep in mind this product had one year warranty. I bought it 3 years ago! What great customer service. I can't say enough good things about this company.

 

[jjarokeroc]

Thank you for updating the thread with a resolution to these symptoms. I also have the VCMTUNER II installed. Others that observe this DTC code now have another troubleshooting option.

A cold solder joint doesn't make me feel "good things" about this company, though. I also used to get cold solder joints, but I was a teenager learning how to solder using a radio shack kit. A cold-solder joint is not acceptable from anyone selling a commercial product. That type of failure makes me angry about a product that I installed in my car.

 

[WiiMaster]

A cold solder joint doesn't make me feel "good things" about this company, though. I also used to get cold solder joints, but I was a teenager learning how to solder using a radio shack kit. A cold-solder joint is not acceptable from anyone selling a commercial product. That type of failure makes me angry about a product that I installed in my car.

An issue like this is pretty uncommon. Only seen the VCMTuner II have a couple failures in years, and they've been good about providing support when it happens. OP's unit was a VCMTuner I, not II.

The S-VCM on the other hand....

Manufacturing defects happen.

 

[willyfixit]

Thank you for updating the thread with a resolution to these symptoms. I also have the VCMTUNER II installed. Others that observe this DTC code now have another troubleshooting option.

A cold solder joint doesn't make me feel "good things" about this company, though. I also used to get cold solder joints, but I was a teenager learning how to solder using a radio shack kit. A cold-solder joint is not acceptable from anyone selling a commercial product. That type of failure makes me angry about a product that I installed in my car.

I have the VCMTUNER II installed on my Touring and on my sons 2015 EX-L. No issues what so ever with either of them. As WiiMaster said this was the older VCMTUNER I.