The primary components within the assembly are: A three port solenoid thatactivates both of the functions listed
above; a pump which contains a switch, two check valves and a spring/diaphragm, a canister vent valve (CVV) seal
which contains a spring loaded vent seal valve.
Immediately after a cold start, between predetermined temperature thresholds limits, the three port solenoid is briefly
energized. This initializes the pump by drawing air into the pump cavity and also closes the vent seal. During non
test conditions the vent seal is held open by the pump diaphragm assembly which pushes it open at the full travel
position. The vent seal will remain closed while the pump is cycling due to the reed switch triggering of the three
port solenoid that prevents the diaphragm assembly from reaching full travel. After the brief initialization period, the
solenoid is de-energized allowing atmospheric pressure to enter the pumpcavity, thus permitting the spring to drive
the diaphragm which forces air out of the pump cavity and into the vent system. When the solenoid is energized
and de energized, the cycle is repeated creating flow in typical diaphragmpump fashion. The pump is controlled in
2 modes:
Pump Mode: The pump is cycled at a fixed rate to achieve a rapid pressure build in order to shorten the overall test
length.
Test Mode: The solenoid is energized with a fixed duration pulse. Subsequent fixed pulses occur when the dia-
phragm reaches the Switch closure point.
The spring in the pump is set so that the system will achieve an equalized pressure of about 7.5” H20. The cycle
rate of pump strokes is quite rapid as the system begins to pump up to this pressure. As the pressure increases, the
cycle rate starts to drop off. If there is no leak in the system, the pump would eventually stop pumping at the equal-
ized pressure. If there is a leak, it will continue to pump at a rate representative of the flow characteristic of the size
of the leak. From this information we can determine if the leak is larger than the required detection limit (currently
set at .040” orifice by CARB). If a leak is revealed during the leak test portion of the test, the test is terminated at
the end of the test mode and no further system checks will be performed.
After passing the leak detection phase of the test, system pressure is maintained by turning on the LDP’s solenoid
until the purge system is activated. Purge activation in effect creates a leak. The cycle rate is again interrogated and
when it increases due to the flow through the purge system, the leak check portion of the diagnostic is complete.
The canister vent valve will unseal the system after completion of the testsequence as the pump diaphragm assem-
bly moves to the full travel position.
Evaporative system functionality will be verified by using the stricter evap purge flow monitor. At an appropriate
warm idle the LDP will be energized to seal the canister vent. The purge flowwill be clocked up from some small
value in an attempt to see a shift in the02 control system. If fuel vapor, indicated by a shift in the 02 control, is
present the test is passed. If not, it is assumed that the purge system is notfunctioning in some respect. The LDP
is again turned off and the test is ended.
MISFIRE MONITOR
Excessive engine misfire results in increased catalyst temperature and causes an increase in HC emissions. Severe
misfires could cause catalyst damage. To prevent catalytic convertor damage, the PCM monitors engine misfire.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors for misfire during most engine operating conditions (positive torque)
by looking at changes in the crankshaft speed. If a misfire occurs the speedof the crankshaft will vary more than
normal.
FUEL SYSTEM MONITOR
To comply with clean air regulations, vehicles are equipped with catalytic converters. These converters reduce the
emission of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. The catalyst works best when the Air Fuel (A/F)
ratio is at or near the optimum of 14.7 to 1.
The PCM is programmed to maintain the optimum air/fuel ratio of 14.7 to 1. This is done by making short term
corrections in the fuel injector pulse width based on the O2S sensor output. The programmed memory acts as a self
calibration tool that the engine controller uses to compensate for variations in engine specifications, sensor toler-
ances and engine fatigue over the life span of the engine. By monitoring theactual fuel-air ratio with the O2S sen-
sor (short term) and multiplying that with the program long-term (adaptive) memory and comparing that to the limit,
it can be determined whether it will pass an emissions test. If a malfunction occurs such that the PCM cannot main-
tain the optimum A/F ratio, then the MIL will be illuminated.
