CEL Shenanigans

[psylosyfer]

Hi All!

Hey everyone how it going?

I have a question. I was getting a code for "purge control solenoid"(35)

on my 91 Loyale. I took it to a shop and they told me that my ECU is bad.(charged $75)

When I got the car back I had a INSTANT ON CEL, whereas before it took a while to come on. So I connected both the white and the green test connectors, To clear it and see if 35 came back up. Well with both test connectors plugged in I get no CEL at all! And the car runs fine (always has).

Will it hurt to leave them connected? Does anyone believe that I have a bad ECU? And which color plug is which?

Thanks guy's as I cannot pass smog until I sort this out.

Ray P.

[Gloyale]

With both hooked toghther it is "clear memory mode". After a short time after startup, it should blink the CEL to indicate cleared codes. After that, unplug and see what comes back. If the CEL stays on in Clear mode, there is still a code active.

 

First without any connectors.

 

No code now, then you are cleared, CEL may or may not come back at some point.

 

If it does, look at the ECU first, while running with the CEL on.

 

If it comes on intermittently, use the white connectors to read stored codes.

 

I would not run the car long with both connected, in clear mode. Running default timing and fuel settings. Plus the CEL will still come back on if a code becomes present.

[psylosyfer]

Thank's Gloyale;

I drove to the store (3 miles) with BOTH green and white connected.

After about 1 mile and change, The CEL came back on (solid). When I got to the market It read "code 35" again, (purge control solenoid as before).

When restarting the light was out and the ECU light went back to 6 short pulses, Which seems to be "normal", About half way home the CEL came

back on, Once again Three long, Five short, (purge control solenoid), My old friend!

So I am convinced that I have a bad P.C.Solenoid.

The shop that charged me $75 to recommend a new ECU, Probably ripped me off, Or so it would seem.

Can you or anyone tell me where to find the infamous solenoid?

Do you think changing it will be an end to this ?

Thank's again Ray P.

[DaveT]

  psylosyfer said:

Can you or anyone tell me where to find the infamous solenoid?

 

 

Here's how I fix them:

http://home.comcast.net/~davidtief/solenoid.html

 

It is located to the left of the throttle body, under the snorkle. There are 2, one is the purge, the other is the EGR. The one that does not have a hose to the EGR is the purge.

[psylosyfer]

I am going to try this rght away! Many thank's!!!!

If the CEL stays off, Then I'm going to go back to the shop that advised changing the ECU for $1400. And demand a refund or I'll report them to the bureau of auto repair.

[Skip]

Nice job on the write up Dave!

 

You no doubt have posted it before and I missed it.

 

Many thanks for the contribution!!

 

I have also used Honda's unit

with great success.

(sorry I'm not the throw the resistor in and forget it type)