Bypass solenoid valve

Hi,

I just was told that my bypass solenoid valve was bad and needed to be
replaced. First of all, what is it and what does it do? The
mechanic's accent was so thick that I could barely understand what he
was saying. I know it is part of the EVAP but I am not sure of its
function.

Please help!

j.

 

Year? Make? Model?

Is this a Honda?

 

Don't wanna tell me what year and model? Oh well.

The EVAP system regularly applies vacuum to the vapor purge tank to clean
it out. This vacuum must not be allowed to pull new vapors from the gas
tank during this operation, so there is a "vacuum cut solenoid valve" to
block vacuum from reaching the gas tank.
When the EVAP system does its "self test", it needs to be able to apply
vacuum to the tank to check for leaks, so it has to override the "vacuum
cut solenoid valve". The bypassing is done by the "bypass solenoid valve".

If the bypass was bad, the ECM probably saw the wrong voltage values from
other sensors in the system, and it then knew to turn on your Check Engine
light with an error code.

 

Greetings,

Thank you for the thorough response. By the way, It's a '99 Accord
Coupe, 4cyl. I didn't realize that this part would perform different
functions in different cars, which is why I neglected to provide the
model and year.

How often does the EVAP system do a self test?

When you say, "it needs to be able to apply vacuum to the tank..." Are
you talking about the vapor purge tank or gas tank? I would assume the
gas tank since it overrides the vacuum valve, which prevents access to
it.

Also...the vapor purge tank. How are there "extra" vapors where they
need their own tank?

Thanks again!

Jessica

 

Performs the same function in all vehicles with that type of EVAP. But...

It's *always* a good idea when posting questions to state year, model, trim
level, transmission and presence or absence of A/C. Engine controls differ
given the above. This way some of us can look to see if there are known
problems, gotchas, or TSBs involving your ride.

Don't know for sure, but I think it's at least once per trip.

There aren't any "extra" vapors. All fuel tank vapors end up in the
charcoal canister that is called the "purge tank". This is the entire
purpose of the EVAP system.

It's just that when the EVAP system attempts to drain the purge tank of its
existing vapors, it makes no sense to allow new vapors into the purge tank
at the same time. That would be a bit like pulling the plug on your
bathroom sink while turning the tap on at the same time.

 

Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it.

I checked out your website and was fascinated with all the FAQs! I,
too, have a buzz at certain RPMs (typically when I'm at a low speed in
2nd or 3rd) in the rear of my car. I wonder if I have the Honda
"A-pipe" rattle?

My friend said something about Honda offering a "buzz" kit to fix the
problem but I never looked into it because it didn't seem all that
problematic.

Thanks again!

Jessica

 

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Don't know specifically, but most cars have restrictions on when the test is
to be attempted. Quantity of fuel between X and X; Temperature between X and
X and engine cold or the first start in the day. Often when dealing with the
evap system you may have a driver that never meets the requirements so the
test never gets performed.

--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

I was wondering about that. Obviously the test would have to be performed
under certain conditions, and if those condtions were never met, the test
would never be performed. I guess another example would be the cat
efficiency test (P0420 error).