VTEC may or may not work when the check engine light is on. It depends on why the check engine light is one. If it is on because of a problem with the VTEC system, then, no, it will not work properly.
VTEC stands for (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control ) and I have no idea how you would be able to feel it " kick in "If your engine light is on you will need to have the codes read by a scanner, then you will have a much better idea what you are looking at.
does this have a vtec engine?
check this link u will understand everything.http://wikicars.org/en/VTEC
If your unsure of why the check engine light keeps coming on, you should take it to a place like Auto Zone. They can run a test and let you know what's wrong.
P1259 refers to Vtec system malfunction.
No
Yes, Honda came out with the VTEC engine in 1989. Not all 1991s have the VTEC engine.
The ecu activates the third lobe on your camshaft (vtec) if a couple of criterias are met; sufficient oil pressure rpm 5300 vehicle speed above 30 km/h If you don't have the o2 sensor working your ecu will give an error and the engine warning light on your dashboard will light up but the vtec still works.
A 1994 Honda Prelude S would not have a VTEC engine in it (assuming it has the original engine in it). It should have the F22A1 in it which is SOHC and Non-VTEC.
Acura Integra Gsr B18C1 Vtec
The standard engine in a 1999 Civic EX is a VTEC engine. It should say VTEC on the valve cover. there is an engine code printed on the block itself if it is a sohc vtec it will read "D16Y8" on the block, plus vtec engines have something called a vtec silenoied located near the distributor. Actually the D16Y8 valve cover does not say VTEC on it.
Your car is VTEC already.