Rb25det vtc not advancing (ecu masters)

Hey everyone,

I’m troubleshooting the VTC system on my RB25DET Series 2 (ECU Master EMU Black), and I’m stuck. The VTC solenoid activates, but the cam angle doesn’t move in ECU Master. I’ve done a lot of testing, and I’m wondering if my VTC gear (intake cam gear) is stuck or clogged.

🔹 What I've Tested So Far

✅ Oil Pressure is Strong → 38 PSI at idle, 100+ PSI at high RPM✅ VTC Solenoid Clicks When Activated → Confirmed via ECU output test & manual 12V power✅ Manually Applied 12V to VTC While Engine Was Running → Engine tone changed slightly, but no cam movement✅ Checked Oil Flow at VTC Solenoid Hole → Oil is reaching the solenoid, so the passage is open✅ Revved to 3,000+ RPM While Activating VTC → Still no cam angle change✅ ECU Reads Cam Angle Correctly After Adjusting Offset to 723°✅ CAS Timing Verified & Trigger Angle Set Correctly (Locked at 15°, verified with timing light)

🔹 What’s Still Not Working?

The ECU commands VTC, but Cam Angle Actual never changes in Live Data.Manually powering the solenoid at idle makes a slight noise change, but the cam doesn’t advance.Even at high RPM (3,000+), the cam still doesn’t move.Solenoid clicks, oil is flowing, but no timing movement.

🔹 My Best Guess – VTC Gear is Sticking or Clogged?

Since the solenoid works and oil is reaching the gear, I suspect the VTC gear (intake cam gear) is stuck, clogged with sludge, or internally worn out.

I’m planning to remove the VTC gear and inspect it, but before I do:

1️⃣ Does this sound like a classic stuck VTC gear issue?2️⃣ Has anyone seen an RB25DET VTC fail this way?3️⃣ Before pulling the gear, is there anything else I should check?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

🔹 Additional Info & Setup:

Engine: RB25DET Series 2 e85ECU: ECU Master EMU BlackVTC Output: AUX 2, 33 Hz (Tried 200 Hz as well)Oil Pressure: 38 PSI at idle, 100+ PSI at high RPMCAS Timing Verified (Trigger Offset 723°, Ignition Timing Locked to 10° & Verified with Timing Light)VTC Activation RPM: ~1,500-5,500 RPM

Can you explain how you think the VTC system on your engine works, and what you expect to happen.

RB25 VTC is switched with no position feedback, the cam actuator has two discrete positions.

Switching the cam actuator moves the cam to the advanced position.

In an EMU Black this would be configured as VTEC. Even though mechanically they are quite different the ECU operation is all the same.

I originally thought that the cam angle and target angle were supposed to change dynamically based on the values I had populated in the cam angle target table.

However, after reviewing the setup and additional information, I now understand that rb25det s2 is a simple ON/OFF system with no position feedback. I’m still learning thanks for the feedback only way to learn