Red plug? What the....

[lee01]

Can someone tell me what is this red 2 prong plug??

Its on the passenger side on top of the valve cover

 

[Bruce Urie]

Red plug

This red plug goes to the wastegate solenoid (#1997157) that should be located on the passenger side valve cover, front top valve cover hold down bolt. This wastegate valve is black in color with a red dot on it. Mounted with a black metal bracket, has a little foam filter on the top port with a rubber hose on the bottom port (goes to turbo)

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[lee01]

Well, car aint stock and its running fine...... I guess i'll leave it there.
Now I know what it is,

 

[TA49-WE4]

click on link for picture.

Kirban Performance - GM Factory Original WASTEGATE SOLENOID FILTERS (3) KIT PART 7091 For 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo T T-Type GNX on special at KirbanPerformance.com

You don't need it if you have an aftermarket boost control unit like you have in your sig. May however throw a malf code to the computer with it not pluged in.

 

[lee01]

click on link for picture.

Kirban Performance - GM Factory Original WASTEGATE SOLENOID FILTERS (3) KIT PART 7091 For 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo T T-Type GNX on special at KirbanPerformance.com

You don't need it if you have an aftermarket boost control unit like you have in your sig. May however throw a malf code to the computer with it not pluged in.

What kind of malf code could this sent? Would this alter regular performance of the engine.

Would it be better to have one connected?

 

[TA49-WE4]

When I installed my rjc boost control, I was told that I should leave it on the car and pluged in or it could throw a malf code.

However I did not look into what the malf code would be, or what it might do as I didn't really need to as I was just going to leave mine pluged in.

Hopefully someone else will chime in and let us know the answer.

 

[t-typex1]

I dont have mine connected, and I dont have any codes.
I believe it helps regulate your boost to an extent, when you get knock/timing retard.

 

["Turbo-T"]

I've been told if you have a Turbo Tweak chip, then you can unplug it. Otherwise it will make the Check Engine light come on.

 

[turbojd]

It will code with some chips and with other chips you will not get a code for an open wastegate solenoid, I would just tuck it out of the way if you have no problem or any code.

 

[BlackBandit]

Depending on the chip it may code. The only time it needs to be plugged in is when you are relying on the ecu for boost control. If you're running a MBC or an electronic boost controller you shouldn't need it. If you unplug it and you're relying on the ecu for boost control then your boost will go down as it is just a bleeder solenoid that prevents the boost signal from reaching the wastegate and therefore you end up with more boost.

 

["Turbo-T"]

So how does the ECM "know" when to bleed off the excess boost?

 

[TurboDave]

So how does the ECM "know" when to bleed off the excess boost?

The ECM doens't "bleed off" excess boost. The solenoid is there to run boost levels higher than the stock wastegate spring would otherwise allow on it's own without the solenoid for control.
It (the solenoid) bleeds boost away from the wastegate to hold it closed a little longer that the spring (stock about 10#) would allow.

 

[lee01]

On my my current setup the car was working fine, I have right now a handmade MBC and Turbotweak chip. I never had the Check engine light up. So I think its all good.
Plus, I will replace the MBC for a BtsC controller (just need to plug it)

 

[BlackBandit]

So how does the ECM "know" when to bleed off the excess boost?

Turbodave is correct. (as usual) Just for clarification if you meant how does the ecm know when and for how long to cycle the solenoid in an effort to control boost then the answer is that there's just a table in the chip that basically takes a couple of factors like load and such and spits out a pre-programed number for the duty cycle of the solenoid. In other words, it doesn't know what the boost is and it doesn't use feedback to control it. The chip programmer just has to guess (based on knowns and experience of course) and the solenoid will cycle the same amount at the same points in time even if you took the turbo off of the car. I hope this is clear. If not maybe someone else can say better. HTH james

 

[Bruce Urie]

Red Plug connector

Well, car aint stock and its running fine...... I guess i'll leave it there.
Now I know what it is,

So, lee01, would you be interested in selling me that red connector? Cut it off about two or three inches of the harness? Reason I'm asking is I need one just like that...mine has the top holder part broken off and I have it connected to my wastegate solenoid with a tiewrap. I understand if you want to keep it, though. Just asking. Anyone else have this red connector for sale? A spare one perhaps?

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[turbojd]

Caspers electronics might have that wastegate connector, did you try them?

 

[azbob]

Caspers has these for $8.95

 

[turbojd]

Yeah $8.95 CEI - Casper's Electronics, Inc.

 

[Bruce Urie]

Red plug connector

Yeah $8.95 CEI - Casper's Electronics, Inc.

That's EXACTLY what I've been looking for! Tubojb and asbob, thank you very much. I can't believe such great help and so fast. You are a credit to this forum, let alone the Turbo Buick community. I never thought to look at Casper's, tried to access the site but couldn't find the right combo of words for the search. I saw serveral other things I could use from there and I'm going to order today. Again, both of you, thank you. Really appreciate it.

Bruce '87 Grand National