ECM not sending power to cold air pump. Workaround
03-08-2010, 03:42 AM
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ECM not sending power to cold air pump. Workaround
Hey guys, got a bit of technical (and possibly silly) question... and THANK you in advance for your opinions. =) I'm very grateful.
Here's the problem:
The CEL came on for my S2K about 5 months ago, took it into the shop as anyone who loves their S2K would, and they told me it was the solenoid bypass valve. Got it replaced.
A few days later, another CEL. Same code. Switched the solenoid bypass valve with a fresh one.
A few days later, another CEL. I took it to the Stealership and let them run a smoke test on it. Nothing. No leaks anywhere. They tightened a few hoses and clamps, and I left.
A few days later, another CEL. Took it back to the Stealership, another smoke test, nothing. They said "Replace the ECU, $1300". Left.
A few days later, another CEL.
So after a little more personal investigation, we found that the cold air pump isn't working correctly. It doesn't seem to turn on, however, if I hook power up directly, voila! Looks like the diagnosis isn't that the whole ECU is bad, just that its not sending power to the cold air pump.
I'm guessing this would just make the mixture a bit more rich than normal, because my car drives fine, although with a bit of power reduction, which is heartbreaking. Its like a gazelle with a wounded hind leg.
However, I am getting engaged very soon, and rings are not cheap. I also just bought a house, and those are not cheap either. I don't have an extra $1300 I can throw around at the moment.
A friend of mine who owns a car shop says it should be a simple workaround to run power to the cold air pump and install a switch in the cockpit to turn it on manually.
Is this a valid workaround? If no, is there anything else you can think of?
Again, I'm grateful for the help. Thanks. =)
Here's the problem:
The CEL came on for my S2K about 5 months ago, took it into the shop as anyone who loves their S2K would, and they told me it was the solenoid bypass valve. Got it replaced.
A few days later, another CEL. Same code. Switched the solenoid bypass valve with a fresh one.
A few days later, another CEL. I took it to the Stealership and let them run a smoke test on it. Nothing. No leaks anywhere. They tightened a few hoses and clamps, and I left.
A few days later, another CEL. Took it back to the Stealership, another smoke test, nothing. They said "Replace the ECU, $1300". Left.
A few days later, another CEL.
So after a little more personal investigation, we found that the cold air pump isn't working correctly. It doesn't seem to turn on, however, if I hook power up directly, voila! Looks like the diagnosis isn't that the whole ECU is bad, just that its not sending power to the cold air pump.
I'm guessing this would just make the mixture a bit more rich than normal, because my car drives fine, although with a bit of power reduction, which is heartbreaking. Its like a gazelle with a wounded hind leg.
However, I am getting engaged very soon, and rings are not cheap. I also just bought a house, and those are not cheap either. I don't have an extra $1300 I can throw around at the moment.
A friend of mine who owns a car shop says it should be a simple workaround to run power to the cold air pump and install a switch in the cockpit to turn it on manually.
Is this a valid workaround? If no, is there anything else you can think of?
Again, I'm grateful for the help. Thanks. =)
03-08-2010, 09:50 AM
#2
I have an 06, so no air pump, and my Helm Manual is not at work. I would look this up if I had it, and tell you for sure.
I would imagine that the air pump is not directly fed electricity via the ECU, but that the ECU controls a relay that feeds the air pump. Maybe that relay is bad, or has a short?
The friend that owns a car shop, you might pose this to him, and see if he can locate the relay. It may be as simple as tracing the power lines up from the pump.
I would imagine that the air pump is not directly fed electricity via the ECU, but that the ECU controls a relay that feeds the air pump. Maybe that relay is bad, or has a short?
The friend that owns a car shop, you might pose this to him, and see if he can locate the relay. It may be as simple as tracing the power lines up from the pump.
03-08-2010, 01:09 PM
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there's a solenoid that feeds power to the air pump...the air pump is known to go bad, which then causes the solenoid to go bad due to overloading. there's a tsb for this. go search for it.
03-13-2010, 04:51 AM
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Thanks for the responses. They are much appreciated.
I've been searching for that tsb you mentioned turbo_slug, and I cant seem to find it. Searching for "solenoid" and "air pump" turns up nothing. I'm very interested to see the tsb you were talking about... do you have a link?
I've been searching for that tsb you mentioned turbo_slug, and I cant seem to find it. Searching for "solenoid" and "air pump" turns up nothing. I'm very interested to see the tsb you were talking about... do you have a link?
03-14-2010, 03:28 AM
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03-14-2010, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by EmuSteve,Mar 8 2010, 06:42 AM
...
... is there anything else you can think of?
...
... is there anything else you can think of?
...
03-18-2010, 05:26 AM
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I'm grateful for the knowledge shared here. Thanks for the reply's.
I'll be heading down to the stealership with this tsb to see if this fixes the issue. Ill keep everyone posted.
I'll be heading down to the stealership with this tsb to see if this fixes the issue. Ill keep everyone posted.
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