P3497

Symptoms

• Illuminated Check Engine Light
• poor engine performance
• especially during acceleration
• excessive fuel consumption
• vibrations or irregular engine operation.

Probable causes

• 1) Low engine oil level or pressure - because the system uses engine oil as hydraulic fluid
• a low level starves the spool valve and triggers the code. 2) Dirty engine oil or oil not meeting specification
• restricted oil passages. 3) Faulty cylinder deactivation control solenoid / VVT solenoid. 4) Defective oil pressure sensor/switch (false readings documented on certain 2008-2012 Honda V6 vehicles). 5) Stuck pressure relief valve causing elevated oil pressure (noted on 2013 Honda Pilot). 6) Open or shorted cylinder deactivation circuits
• damaged wiring or poor connections. 7) PCM software needing an update (some 2011 Honda models) or PCM failure. 8) Engine mechanical condition.

Diagnostic steps

1) Check engine oil level and condition first; top up or change with oil meeting the manufacturer's specification. 2) Scan for companion codes (oil pressure, VVT, misfire) and record freeze frame data. 3) Inspect the wiring and connectors of the bank 2 cylinder deactivation solenoids and oil pressure sensors/switches for opens, shorts, and corrosion. 4) Test the oil pressure sensor/switch for false readings and verify actual oil pressure. 5) Test the cylinder deactivation control solenoid(s) on bank 2. 6) On Honda applications, check the applicable service bulletins (13-055, 13-031, 11-033) covering pressure relief valve, oil pressure switch, and software update repairs, and check for available PCM software updates. 7) If oil supply, sensors, solenoids, and wiring all test good, evaluate engine mechanical condition and finally the PCM. Diagnostic procedures vary by make and model - consult the vehicle-specific repair manual.