RE: The VVT device must be Voodoo.....

[Rex McInvale <Rex.McInvale@domain.elided>]

Charles,
Tests confirm my solenoid is not working.  12V will not actuate it.  I was,
however, able to test the mechanical function of the device my manually
pushing the pin in.  It dropped the RPM's and almost stalled the engine, I
assume by advancing the intake timing and dumping too much fuel into the
cylinders.  I also verified the wiring to the solenoid with a test light.
The light comes on at higher RPM's.
Now, where can I either get a new one of have mine rebuilt/serviced?
Any help is, as always, much appreciated.
Rex

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Slayman [mailto:Charles.Slayman@domain.elided]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 3:16 PM
To: Rex.McInvale@domain.elided
Subject: Re: The VVT device must be Voodoo.....


Rex,
	The easiest way to check out the mechanical part of the VVT is to 
disconnect the wires to the solenoid and apply 12V directly to the solenoid
from 
the battery.  You sould hear the soleniod click as it engages the little
drive 
pin that goes through the valve cover.  This advances the intake cam and
should 
cause the idle to drop a few hundred rpm.  If the idle rpms don't drop, the
cam 
is not getting advanced.  This could be caused by two things:
	1)  The electric soleniod is not working.  Remove the solenoid from
the 
valve cover and apply 12V.  You should see the pin move.  If it doesn't, the

solenoid is bad.  If it does, then
	2)  The mechanical advance mechanism on the cam is bad.  It's
getting 
pushed by the solenoid, but it's not advancing the cam timing.
	
	Now, once you've diagnosed the solenoid and mechanical advance 
mechanisms (and fixed anything that is broken), there is one final check -
the 
ECU actuation of the VVT.  At idle, the VVT should be off (ie 0V to the 
solenoid).  Increase the rpm and the ECU should send a 12V signal to the 
solenoid (I forget the exact value, something like 2500 or 3500 rpm).  You
can 
check this with a voltmeter, or just watch the pin on the solenoid (you can
run 
the engine with it off the valve cover).
	
Cheers,
Charlie
'89 Spider

	
>From: Rex McInvale <Rex.McInvale@domain.elided>
>To: "'alfa-digest@domain.elided'" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
>Subject: The VVT device must be Voodoo.....
>Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 09:11:33 -0500
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>
>Hi all,
>The VVT device must be part of some mystical centuries old culture such as
>Voodoo or the Druids because I can't find squat about it.
>A TSB on my CarDisc discusses failure of the VVT device as a possible cause
>for an intermittent erratic idle (my problem).  Other than a one page
>description of how to spray WD40 into the inspection hole, it gives no
>information about the device or it's function.  I'm familiar with that
basic
>concept of adjusting the valve timing at idle, but that's as deep as my
>understanding runs.
>Does anyone have a source for further information about this elusive
>creature to share with me before I crack it open and peek inside?
>Many thanks,
>Rex McInvale
>'90 Spider
>Macon, GA USA
>
>--
>to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
>or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided