Not uncommon at all for S-VCM to fail. Seen it several times over the years. This is why I chose VCMTuner II for my Accord, it has a better track record long term.

With that said, usually if you contact S-VCM they will guide you through some steps to troubleshoot, and if the unit is determined to be bad they will send out a replacement, sometimes for free or at worst, you pay the cost of shipping.

 

I have had an S-VCM on my vehicle for about 50k miles without incident. It would be more miles, but my wife keeps driving my car when I'm out of town, which is almost every week these days.

I swear, my wife and daughter put more miles on my car than I do

 

The power lead that connects at the positive battery terminal corroded and separated. Hopefully, all will be well after I repair and reconnect it.

 

I always did think that the connector looked a bit flimsy. I'll keep an eye on mine. Good looking out.

 

Very early adopter of the S-VCM Controller here - I got mine in June 2018 so I've got nearly 5 full years of service on my device.

Not so much as a single hiccup in all that time. Mine has been dead reliable, though I do make a point of taking a close look at the connection at the positive battery terminal every spring. The air intake snorkel comes off, I clean the battery top and terminals and give them a little toot of Fluid Film. No corrosion problems.

 

I clean the battery top and terminals and give them a little toot of Fluid Film.

I've started doing this to all my vehicles - so many small battery leaks causing corrosion issues...

-Charlie

 

Even in the VCMTuner II install video, Brock does make a point about adding a corrosion preventative to the battery terminal. So it's definitely not a bad idea.

 

My 2010 Accord had all kinds of battery corrosion issues. It had a battery that was going on 4 years old, and every 1k when I'd bring it in for the mandatory oil fillup, even though I had just cleaned up the positive terminal at the last 1k fillup, it once again looked like someone spilled birthday cake ice cream all over it:

I don't have this issue on my Odyssey because it has the felt washers that go around the posts, unlike that Accord.

 

Hmmmmm. I've got a 2008 Odyssey with 102k on it, and I'm about to buy a VCM muzzler. Also just got a 2023 Odyssey, so I was thinking I'd have a go with the 08 for a bit and if all was well...... add one to the 23 also. Was thinking the S-VCM or the VCM Tuner II, I like how the S-VCM seems to be more plug and play, where the II has the adjustment a couple times a year.

 

The VCMTuner II is a no-adjustment device, just like the S-VCM (and has better build quality might I add). The VCMTuner I is the passive device you are thinking of.

 

Ah yes, for $140 that VCM Tuner II seems to do all the S-VCM does. Perhaps that VCM Tuner II is worth the extra scratch. A friend just had a huge repair for the second time and I believe it may be related to this, which got me thinkin..... I'm going to give a hard look at that VCM Tuner II.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the VCMTuner II. It hasn't failed to the same extent several S-VCM units have, and I have one myself on my Accord. It's been installed for 8 months and I haven't had to touch it since I installed it. It is a well-built unit. Worth the extra cost.

You might want to recommend it to your friend too, before they get scammed a third time...

 

July 2024 update.
I ordered the SVCM controller from Canada on June 25. S-VCM Controller - Disable VCM / deactivate VCM and stop ECO in Honda Acura

They charged the cc card.

As of July 31, there has been no confirmation or acknowledgment from this company. I have sent 3 emails requesting information.
They have zero info on the company tied to their website.

It's starting to smell like I was scammed.

 

New here and considering the purchase of the S-VCM for son’s Odyssey. Just curious to know if you received your controller?

 

That's weird. When I got mine, there was not much in the way of communication at all, but it just showed up in my mailbox a little over a week after ordering it.