EGR Solenoid Testing

[Snort]

I have a 89 2.3L that I'm trying to troubleshoot. This motor has a EGR solenoid on the passenger side of the engine compartment, fed by a red vacuum line from the motor, and a green vacuum line which feeds the EGR valve diaphragm. It has a single wire connector with red and black wires.

Pulling vacuum on the red line does not build any negative pressure, and I can hear what sounds like a reed valve fluttering inside the solenoid. Applying 12V to the red and black terminals gives a little spark but no movement or noise inside as I would expect a solenoid to make.

Does anyone know how to properly test these?

Thanks!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

On the egr there is a valve position sensor with three wires and the solenoid that applys vacuum to the egr. Did you check your egr to see if it is opening. While the engine is running at an idle apply manifold vacuum to the egr and the engine should stall. On the solenoid the red wire should be battery voltage and the dark green is the negative controlled by the computer. It sounds like the solenoid valve is plugged and the computer is looking for a signal from the egr position sensor. If your not geeting any vacuum pressure out of the solenoid when you give it engine throttle its probably plugged. Maybe pull the connector off of the solenoid and run two jumper wire to it one from a good ground and the other battery posative. energize the solenoid and apply air pressure to the fittings to try and clear the blockage and denergize the solenoid and see if it closes. You can probably go to the bone yard and get another solenoid for cheap not sure how hard it is to get new. spray some WD-40 in both sides of the solenoid vacuum fittings and see if it loosens up?

 

[Snort]

OK, that's making sense the way you described it. I like the WD40 and air pressure approach to try to free it up. Yes, the EGR valve is new and it does open and close with vacuum (not from solenoid yet though, obviously).

 

[kimcrwbr1]

There should be battery power at the solenoid with the key on and the computer controls the ground. If it is clicking the computer is trying to open the egr and the position sensor tell the computer it is opening. As the engine is running it uses all the inputs throttle position, engine temp, air charge, MAP, O2 and egr position. Be sure and reset the computer once you get it working and it will set new values after a few complete warm up cycles. To test the solenoid you should feel vacuum pressure on the egr vacuum line when you give the engine throttle. The round thing on the solenoid is the filter for the egr bleed off the valve will click until the egr valve reaches position and stay energized to hold the egr open. You should be able to blow air from the egr valve out the filter with the solenoid deenergized the filter pulls in filtered air to release the egr valve. I`m not sure if you can pull the cap off the filter on the solenoit to clean it or put new filter media in but it is important to filter the air going into the egr bleed.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-OEM-EG...Parts_Accessories&hash=item519fc19835&vxp=mtr I believe this one will fit the part number tells me 1976 you can caal to see if its correct.

 

[Snort]

All helpful comments. Thank you very much.