GM boost solenoid failures? (please chime in)
 

After 1.5 years I think my GM boost solenoid is starting to fail. It first started a few weeks ago when the weather turned colder - IAT's sub 32°F. Now it's starting to get flaky even when it warms up.

Failure mode is in the open/non-energized position so it's just running on wastegate.

I have it mounted on the firewall on the coldside so it shouldn't be due to heat death, especially with vents all over the place.

How reliable have these been for other people?

I killed one testing a different EBC.


just replace it with this:
Item # 310-12VDC, Humphrey 310/410 Direct Acting Solenoids Cv=0.14 on Air, Inc.

Thanks! Just ordered it, $29.54 shipped.

I wish people would just not use the GM solenoid piece of shit,it cost roughly the same as a solenoid that's 1000x better,yet some still want to use it.

If there was some kind of writeup on how to install another solenoid other than the GM i would be down.

manual boost controller ftw

On the old MX-6 GT I ran an mbc and a solenoid (pulled from the emissions rats nest on an 84 RX-7) to get two stage boost control.

It's really nice to have more boost control to match power to the amount of traction. The current setup is an on/off switch to run wastegate or ebc. When the ebc is enabled a big knob on the dash(under the radio) controls boost from 10psi up to whatever ever I want. Recently added a push button that momentarily makes it run on wastegate to reduce wheelspin when launching.

The ball/spring mbc works great but I like having more control. Electronics are good!

Not sure why you guys are seeing so many failures with the GM BCS. Suby guys have been using it as a replacement since '05 without these problems.

Braine's BCS looks like the Grainer/ARO unit:

Pneumatics & Hydraulics > Valves > Solenoid Air Control Valves > Valve,Solenoid,1/8 In : Grainger Industrial Supply

Just cheaper. :)

Frank

I use the Grainer ARO unit personally...It's what came with the LINK. The unit I posted above is identical in every way....

It installs just as the GM solenoid would.



http://www.boostedmiata.com/MS/EBC/solenoid.jpg

The black vacuum hose comes into the valve from the turbo. (bottom port labeled EXH)

The blue hose out to the wastegate. (middle port labeled OUT)

Hook one wire to a 12v constant.

Hook the other to the MS output.

Has this been added to the archive?

Those who have had valve failures, can you chime in? Mine appears to open and close as required, but I'm not sure if its holding completely shut under boost. Thanks!