How to check vapor canister solenoid

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Anyone here know how to check the fuel vapor canister solenoid? Is there a certain amount of voltage to apply to see if it's doing what it's supposed to be? How do I do this?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

The PNK/BLK wire going to the CCP solenoid connector is +12 volts. The GRN/YEL wire gets a ground from the ECM to activate the solenoid. You can do a key-on, engine-off and and apply a ground to the GRN/YEL wire. The solenoid should click when this is done and again when the ground is removed.

Further testing is checking that the solenoid actually opens and closes. Before I go further, there are two different types of solenoids, and I don't know which one the TB's use. One is normally open (NO), the other being normally closed (NC). The NO one will allow air through when not powered, while the NC one won't allow air through until it is activated.

If I had to guess, I'd say the TB's use the NC solenoid.

With that, at key-on, engine-off see if air will be let through the two ports on the solenoid. Then ground the GRN/YEL wire and check again.

If you do any testing of the solenoid off the car, be aware of the polarity. Don't mix it up. Some solenoids in the vehicle have a diode in them. Reverse the polarity and it pops. I don't believe that the CCP solenoid has a diode, but not worth a chance that it does.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Very good. Thank you for your help. Though, now that I think about it, doesn't this car activate this specific solenoid for a few seconds at every new engine start up? If so, couldn't I just disconnect their hoses, put a length of hose on each end, and blow to see if I feel any resistance, then start the car and look for any changes?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

I don't believe that the solenoids are cycled at engine start up. That would cause issues.

What is likely is that the CCP (and others) are activated at key-on, engine-off, with pins A&B shorted together on the ALDL connector. Note that this will also fully close the IAC, and probably turn on the engine cooling fan.

RemoveBeforeFlight