Canister Purge Solenoid: Testing and Inspection

Purge Control Solenoid Circuit:

To test the Purge Control Solenoid Valve, located on the engine compartment firewall, proceed as follows.

COMPONENT TEST
1. Mark and then disconnect the vacuum hoses (black, red striped) from the solenoid valve.
2. Disconnect the harness connector from the solenoid valve.

Purge Control Solenoid Valve Inspection (Leaks):

3. Connect a hand vacuum pump to the nipple the red striped hose was removed from.

Fig. 1 Purge Control Solenoid Valve Inspection (Operation):

4. Verify that vacuum holds corresponding to Fig. 1.

Purge Control Solenoid Valve Inspection (Coil Resistance):

5. Measure the solenoid coil resistance and verify that it is between 36 and 44 Ohms at 20 degrees C or 68 degrees F.


HARNESS TEST
1. Disconnect the solenoid connector and turn the key to the ON position.
2. Using a Voltmeter, measure Voltage between the harness connector terminal 2 and ground.

Voltage:
System Voltage.

3. Turn the key to the OFF position and disconnect the ECU connector.
4. Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between the ECU harness connector terminal 62 and the solenoid harness connector terminal 1.

Continuity:
Should exist.

5. Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between the solenoid harness connector terminal 1 and ground.

Continuity:
Should not exist.

If any of the previous tests produce unsatisfactory results, the harness will need to be repaired or replaced. Once repairs have been completed, road test the vehicle to confirm that the repair has corrected the problem.

If the same problem reoccurs, it is possible that there is an intermittent failure of the component or the ECU. Check for looseness at all harness junctions and test for an intermittent failure.