P3400 and P3497 codes with very low oil

2008 HONDA ACCORD
182,000 MILES • 3.5L • AUTOMATIC
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JGONZO2398
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My check engine light came on yesterday and I scanned the car and got codes P3400 and P3497. The car has been driving normally and I haven’t noticed any unusual noises or other symptoms.

I checked the oil today before starting the car and there was no oil registering on the dipstick. I wiped it, reinserted it and checked both sides and it was still dry. My last oil change was on 6/17/26 at 178,195 miles and the car currently has 182,049 miles, so it has been about 3,850 miles.

The last time I had the oil changed, the shop also told me the oil was low. They checked for an external leak but said they couldn’t find anything obvious and thought the engine might be consuming oil. That visit was after I had a misfire on cylinder 3. They found oil in the spark plug well, replaced all six spark plugs and the cylinder 3 ignition coil, and changed the oil.

I haven’t noticed any oil spots where I park or obvious smoke from the exhaust. I also haven’t started the car since finding the dipstick dry.

Could the oil being this low cause both P3400 and P3497 to come on? Also, since this is the second time the oil has been found low, what should I be looking at as far as where the oil is going? I have replaced both valve cover gaskets at the beginning of this year which were leaking and I haven't noticed a leak since
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Sep 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
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MECHTRIX
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Ok this only applies if you have the v6 engime honda used a variable engine management The codes youre seeing are a warning that the vps ( valve paus system) its stuck closed and yes" .. running it out of oil would cause things to get stuck and ruin the engine most times.. but all you can do right now is fill it back up with new oil and hopfully it starts and runs if it does id let it run for a few mins turn it off let it sit for 30 mins then start it back up and somtime those parts that are stuck can come un stuck and still be ok somtimes...and always keep a really good eye on all the fluids just in case ...good luck hope this helps
Sep 4, 2026 at 7:43 PM
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MECHTRIX
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A side knote disregard all of the above if you have the 4 cylinder engine in that case it won't apply ...good luck
Sep 4, 2026 at 7:45 PM
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MECHTRIX
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In the heading i didnt see wheather it was a 4 or 6 cyl eng But if you do have the 4 cylinder engine please let us know and well help you out best of luck.
Sep 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
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MECHTRIX
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If the code you meantioned are correct then you would have the 6v version in your honda good luck
Sep 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
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JGONZO2398
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Thanks for the response. It is the 3.5L V6. I went ahead and added oil today (full synthetic 5W-20) and it ended up taking about 2 quarts to bring the level back up to the full mark on the dipstick. After that I started the car, let it idle for a few minutes, shut it off and let it sit for about 15 minutes. I checked the oil again afterward and it was still at the full mark. The engine started and ran normally with no unusual noises and I never had an oil pressure warning light, including before I discovered the oil was low. I then cleared the P3400 and P3497 codes and the CEL is currently off. I’m going to drive it normally and keep an eye on whether either code comes back. I’m also going to start checking the oil much more frequently since it took about 2 quarts to bring it back to full after only about 3,850 miles since the last oil change. If the codes stay gone now that the oil is full, would you say the low oil was most likely what caused both codes? And if they come back with the oil still full, what would you recommend checking next?
Sep 4, 2026 at 10:18 PM
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MECHTRIX
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Yes indeed ...that would be the number one problem but im just relieved it started back up ...heres a tip " if it acually starts and idles normally without unusual excessive sounds its or shaking overheating ect.then its probably gonna ok ..the reason why is idling is acually the hardest thing for the engine to do so if it does it well .. ok then its probably gonna be ok for now just gotta be on top of all the fluids basically engine oil trsnsmission and eng coolant if those are always kept full and clean you can get many years of enjoyment out of most any car no matter how old or high mls whatever ..the great thing is checking it only takes a min and its free ...good luck hope this helps .
Sep 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
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