Air Pump, air pump help Options

[x trusty x]

ok so i had my check engine light read and they said it was my air pump. does anyone know where the air pump is located?


thank youuu (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[wiseoracle]

You sure it was an air pump? Never heard of such a thing on a car. Any car to be honest.

[GlowinStratus]

my buddys s10 has an air pump.... ha you sure it wasnt the water pump?

[PharmEcis]

You sure it was an air pump? Never heard of such a thing on a car. Any car to be honest.

Air pumps are quite common on Ford's and GMs.

There is no air pump on this car. Whoever told you that was lying.

Go to autozone and have them pull your code for you.

[ViperMan]

Air pumps are an emissions control device - blows air into the exhaust stream to "thin out" the emissions. They were pains in the butt because they performed NO VALUE to the engine whatsoever, but went out all the time and had to be constantly replaced.

"Junk" I say!!!

Oh and yeah - DEFINITELY no air pump on the Strat. Here I was afraid someone was trying to figure out how to turn one into a supercharger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Jeff

[x trusty x]

Air pumps are an emissions control device - blows air into the exhaust stream to "thin out" the emissions. They were pains in the butt because they performed NO VALUE to the engine whatsoever, but went out all the time and had to be constantly replaced.

"Junk" I say!!!

Oh and yeah - DEFINITELY no air pump on the Strat. Here I was afraid someone was trying to figure out how to turn one into a supercharger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Jeff

i had the engine code read at both the dealership and a friend of mine who owns the shop. code is P0491- Bank 1. Both said i had an air pump and when they did diagnostics, thats what came up.

[theyellowdart]

He's got the sedan not a coupe...is it possible that the sedans have and air pump?

[ViperMan]

Hole-E-Shit....

He's right.

The Sedan DOES have an air pump - pulled it up here on All-Data. The air pump is located just behind the front lip of the bumper it looks like - underneath the car, between the front clip and the motor. From the picture, it almost looks like an electric turbocharger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The air pump assembly consist of a pump, mass air flow sensor (MAF), relay, bracket, and inlet filter.

The air injection system adds a controlled amount of air to the exhaust gases aiding oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust stream.

The system does not interfere with the ability of the EGR system (if used) to control nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. Turns on only during a cold start.

Air is drawn into the pump through a rubber tube that is connected to the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) and filter assembly. Airflow is measured by the MAF sensor. A voltage will be produced via the MAF sensor when air is passed through. This voltage correlates to airflow. The amount of voltage (airflow) will determine the amount of fuel that will be added to achieve the goal air/fuel ratio.

Air is then compressed by the air injector pump. It is expelled from the pump and routed into a rubber tube where it reaches the air pressure relief valve. Pressure relief holes in the relief valve will prevent excess downstream pressure. If excess downstream pressure occurs at the relief valve, it will be vented into the atmosphere.

Air is then routed through a tube, through the oneway check valves and injected into the catalytic converters (referred to as downstream).

The one-way check valves protect the hoses, air pump and injection tubes from hot exhaust gases backing up into the system. Air is allowed to flow through these valves in one direction only (towards the catalytic converters).

Downstream air flow assists the oxidation process in the catalyst, but does not interfere with EGR operation (if EGR system is used).

Wow... I've been educated.

[x trusty x]

well first off i am a she lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

but, yeah it was the air pump and i had it replaced, but not my check engine light comes on every 2 days or so and flashes when its in the 'ON' position. i have been to the mechanic 4 times since friday. it is so annoying and they dont know what wrong.

[modme_over]

invest in an obd2 scanner, less the 50$ on ebay, than you can log data with your laptop or see what is going on on the fly.

This post has been edited by modme_over: Feb 17 2009, 07:11 PM

[x trusty x]

yeah i looked at those, they dont give detailed info as much. and it didnt even know what my code was.

[ViperMan]

It didn't know what the code was?? As in it couldn't read it, or couldnt' give you a description? Was it a P1 code? (Federal mandates the P0XXX codes, but P1XXX codes are manufacturer specific...)

And sorry - I wasn't actually referring to you when I said "he," I was replying to YellowDart, but still, I didn't know you were a 'she,' so once again, I am educated. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I wish I could help you, but I have no real experience on the Sedans, and very little experience with air pumps. If you can get me a code, I can at least pinpoint a system.

Flashing MIL is bad, by the way - don't drive it if the light is flashing. You could ruin the Cat, and they ain't cheap!

Jeff

[x trusty x]

it doesnt flash when my car is running, it only flashed when i turn the car in the on position. i read it in the manual and it says when it flashes for 10 seconds it means that it is not ready to pass inspection or something of the sort.

it gave me a code but no description, error code is P0491, and it came up with absolutely nothing. i researched it online and said it was the secondary air injection, bank 1.

and its ok that you didnt know i was a she haha (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


aaaannnddd my check engine light went on again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) it has been to the mechanic 4 times since friday. they replaced the air pump and everything.

This post has been edited by x trusty x: Feb 18 2009, 03:22 PM

[ViperMan]

From AllData:

SYMPTOM
P0491-AIR INJECTION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

WHEN MONITORED
Engine Running. The Air Injection Pump is active for a calibrated amount of time. Once enough air flow has accumulated through the Air Injection system the test will begin.

SET CONDITION
If the PCM detects excessive air flow or not enough air flow though the Air Injection system a fault is recorded. Two Trip Fault.

POSSIBLE CAUSES


Good trip equal to zero
Visual and physical inspection of the air injection system
ASD relay output circuit
MAF sensor internal failure
MAF signal circuit shorted to ASD relay output circuit
MAF signal circuit shorted to battery voltage
MAF signal circuit open
MAF signal circuit shorted to ground
MAF signal circuit shorted to (K4) sensor ground circuit
Sensor ground circuit open
PCM

If they replaced the air pump, did they replace the mass-air-flow sensor for that system? It's possible that the pump is fine but the sensor took a sh!t...

I've got a three-page diagnostic procedure included with the above instructions, but they all involve using scan tools, jumper wires - pretty intense. And besides, they're the same list of procedures the techs should be following.

Are you taking this to a Dealership or an independent garage? I'm really thinking a dealership needs to investigate this.

Jeff

[ViperMan]

P.S. If the code is being thrown when the car ISN'T running, then you might have a signal shortage from the MAF sensor (although I think you'd be seeing a different code - one specific to that sensor.) As you'll read above, the P0491 code only throws when the engine is running, and even then, only after is sees the fault twice - that's the "Two Trip Fault" line you see above.

Jeff

[x trusty x]

thank you so much, im going to tell the mechanic tomorrow when i bring it in. im going through an independent garage. i didnt feel like spending $95 an hour for dodge to tell me there isnt anything wrong like they usually do. are the MAF sensors expensive? could you perhaps email me the 3 page procedure or give me the website where i can find it? thank you again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by x trusty x: Feb 19 2009, 12:53 PM

[ViperMan]

So instead of spending $95 once to get it fixed, you'll spend $65 what, three times?

The website I have access to is AllDataOnline - it's a repair-shop only site and requires annual membership, so no I can't give you that.

I don't know the price of a MAF sensor - it's probably specialty enough that only a dealership will be able to get it, but I'm only guessing on that.

Remember - a dealership can use their computerized equipment to test every single sensor. Their scan tools can control idle-air control motors, turnsignals, you name it. All an independent shop can do is check codes and take a guess. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but I've been a service writer at both a dealership AND an independent (was a Store Manager for Goodyear) and believe me - working at the dealership was MUCH less stressful, because there's very little guesswork.

Jeff

[x trusty x]

no since the service light keeps going on and they warranty their work, i havent paid to keep bringing it back, nor would i since they should have fixed the problem the first time lol. i think you are right about the MAF sensor only being dealer only because the air pump was dealer only. If they can't fix it this time then ill just spend the $95 for a diagnostic fee and see what happens. its such a pain. i should have went right to the dealer to begin with but i figured labor would have been far much more than the $90 i spent all together for labor.

[OkiePC]

Hole-E-Shit....

He's right.

The Sedan DOES have an air pump - pulled it up here on All-Data. The air pump is located just behind the front lip of the bumper it looks like - underneath the car, between the front clip and the motor. From the picture, it almost looks like an electric turbocharger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)



Wow... I've been educated.

THANK YOU! I have had the code P0491 for quite some time and just recently decided to do something about it. I have been scouring the web for four days (while I am supposed to be working) and you are the first person to help me identify the location of the air pump. All this time I had been expecting a belt driven pump. Haynes makes no mention of a pump, and even the code itself is not listed in their book. Autozone and others online catalogs don't list the part. Now I know where to look...finally...

So I guess its an electric pump? Whod-a-thunk-it?

Thanks again!
Paul

[revelry]

THANK YOU! I have been scouring the web for four days (while I am supposed to be working) and you are the first person to help me identify the location of the air pump.

Forums FTW... If only everyone realized the benefits of online communities, the world would be better place.
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