Advanced Diagnostics

Advanced Diagnostics

DTC P3497: Valve Pause System (VPS) Stuck Off Bank 2 (Engine Type: J35Z2)







4 Cylinder Mode







3 Cylinder Mode










General Description
The variable cylinder management (VCM) system activates the rocker arm oil control solenoid A (bank 1), B (bank 1), and A (bank 2) by commands from the powertrain control module (PCM), and the appropriate solenoids charges/discharges the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder pause VTEC system that pauses the intake and exhaust valves on the front and rear banks. The PCM monitors oil pressure in the hydraulic circuit of the VTEC mechanism using the front or rear rocker arm oil pressure switches downstream of the rocker arm oil control solenoids. If there is a difference between the oil pressure conditions in the hydraulic circuit that are determined by the PCM command and the oil pressure conditions that are determined by the status of the front or rear rocker arm oil pressure switches, the system is considered faulty, and a DTC is stored. If uncommanded cylinders pausing (PCM tries the cylinders to operate but any cylinders are paused) failure is detected, the MIL is ON with one drive cycle, and If a cylinder does not pause (PCM tries the cylinders to pause but cylinders continue to operate) failure is detected, the MIL is ON in two drive cycles.


Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type, OBD Status







Enable Conditions
During 6 cylinder mode Detection







Enable Conditions
During 4 cylinder mode Detection







Enable Conditions

*** : When starting the engine at an engine coolant temperature is 68 °F (20 °C).
**** : When starting the engine at an engine coolant temperature is 176 °F (80 °C).
***** : When the engine coolant temperature is 172 °F (78 °C).
****** : When the engine coolant temperature is 221 °F (105 °C).


During 3 cylinder mode Detection







Malfunction Threshold
When the PCM sends ON (open) or OFF (close) command to rocker arm oil control solenoid A (bank 2), the front rocker arm oil pressure switch detects each status in the table.







Confirmation Procedure with the HDS
Do the VCM TEST in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS.

Driving Pattern







1. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in P or N) until the radiator fan comes on.
2. Let the engine idle for at least 5 seconds.
3. Drive the vehicle at a steady speed of 68 mph (109 km/h) or more at a steady engine speed between 2,400 - 3,300 rpm for at least 5 seconds.

- Drive the vehicle in this manner only if the traffic regulations and ambient conditions allow.

Diagnosis Details

Conditions for illuminating the MIL
- Uncommanded pausing cylinders (PCM tries the cylinders to operate but any cylinders are paused): When a malfunction is detected, the MIL comes on and the DTC and the freeze frame data are stored in the PCM memory.
- Cylinders do not pause (PCM tries the cylinders to pause but any cylinders are operated): When a malfunction is detected during the first drive cycle, a Temporary DTC is stored in the PCM memory. If the malfunction recurs during the next (second) drive cycle, the MIL comes on and the DTC and the freeze frame data are stored.

Conditions for clearing the MIL
The MIL will be cleared if the malfunction does not recur during three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic runs. The MIL, the DTC, the Temporary DTC, and the freeze frame data can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear command or by disconnecting the battery.