During 4 Cylinder Mode

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When rocker arm oil control solenoids B (Bank 1) and A (Bank 2) are turned on by the PCM, the front and rear rocker arm oil control valves switch the oil pressure. Oil pressure then enters the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinder's secondary rocker arm from the oil passage in the rocker shaft, causing the VTEC switching piston to slide into the primary rocker arm and against the return spring. This disengages the secondary rocker arm from the primary rocker arm to stop valve activation. The No. 3 and No. 4 cylinder's rocker arms do not move, and the No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders are paused. In the other four cylinders, oil pressure from the front and rear rocker arm oil control valves lock the primary and secondary rocker arms together. The rocker arms are moved by the camshaft, and the four cylinders are active.

Fig 1: VCM System Operation (During 4 Cylinder Mode)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.