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Pulse Air Solenoid Check

  1. Remove air cleaner to gain access to pulse air solenoid hose. Make sure that hose is properly connected. Turn ignition off for 1 minute.
  2. Start engine and feel for vacuum pulsations at end of pulse air hose. Pulsations should occur for at least 20 seconds after engine starts.
  3. If pulsations are felt as described, turn ignition "OFF" and open distributor "set timing" connector. Start engine. There should be pulse air momentarily. Pulse air should stop. If pulse air is okay, reconnect "set timing" connector and review symptoms.
  4. If pulsations were not felt in step 2), turn ignition "ON" with engine stopped and "set timing" connector connected. Disconnect pulse air solenoid harness and connect a test light between connector terminals. If light is "ON" repair short to ground in wiring harness.
  5. If light in step 4) is "OFF", ground diagnostic terminal and again note test light between connector terminals. If light is still "OFF," connect light between each connector terminal to ground and check light.
  6. If light is "OFF" on both terminals, repair open circuit in wiring harness. If light is "ON" on 1 terminal, check for open circuit from solenoid to ECM. If wiring harness is okay and ECM connectors are okay, check for faulty ECM. If light is "ON" on both terminals, check for short circuit to battery voltage and recheck circuit. Short to battery voltage could damage ECM.
  7. If light between connectors is "ON" after grounding diagnostic terminal in step 5), reconnect solenoid. With engine idling and diagnostic terminal not grounded, disconnect vacuum hose to control solenoid and test for more than 10 in. Hg. If vacuum is not present, repair vacuum source.
  8. If vacuum in step 7) is okay, turn ignition "OFF" and be sure diagnostic terminal is not grounded. Reconnect vacuum hose to solenoid and disconnect vacuum hose at pulse air valve. Connect vacuum gauge to hose. Start and idle engine, note gauge. Gauge should read 6 in. Hg for at least 6 seconds.
  9. If vacuum reading is not okay, check for plugged hose or defective solenoid or solenoid connector. If vacuum reading is okay, apply 10 in. Hg to pulse air valve with engine idling. Air pulsation should be heard or felt at the air cleaner pulse air intake hose.
  10. If air pulsation is felt, system is okay. If no pulsation is felt, problem is faulty pulse air intake hose or control valve assembly.
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