Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

[Thomas F.]

I am having trouble locating a replacement Purge Solenoid for my 84 Corvette. Can I use one from a later model? If so which one will work? The device seems very simple. It has two wires and I assume an electrical magnet coil to operate the valve. Any assistance will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

Thomas------


The 1984 Corvette purge valve solenoid, GM #1997629, is long-since GM-discontinued and difficult to find. It was unique to 1984 Corvettes and was not used on other model year Corvettes. I know of no aftermarket replacement. There's one on eBay right now but it's kind of expensive. Things that are hard to find usually are.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-GM-Fuel-Vaper-Canister-Purge-Solenoid-1984-Corvette-/251723740600?hash=item3a9be775b8&vxp=mtr

[Thomas F.]

Re: Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

Thanks Joe for your reply. Do you think I could use one from a later model Corvette? I realize it would not be correct for the 84 and I would have to improvise to attach it. Are these things that much different from each other? If so how would they be different? Sorry If I am asking too many questions I am just trying to learn about this stuff so I can keep my car on the road. I saw the one on ebay and made an offer. Maybe I will get lucky.

[Joe L.]

Re: Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

Thanks Joe for your reply. Do you think I could use one from a later model Corvette? I realize it would not be correct for the 84 and I would have to improvise to attach it. Are these things that much different from each other? If so how would they be different? Sorry If I am asking too many questions I am just trying to learn about this stuff so I can keep my car on the road. I saw the one on ebay and made an offer. Maybe I will get lucky.

Thomas------


I really couldn't say whether a later one would function properly. For some reason, GM used different solenoids over several years. I figure they must have had some good reason for it. All of the 1984-1990 solenoids are now GM discontinued and, as far as I know, not available in the aftermarket.

[Edward J.]

Re: Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

Tom, If the solenoid its self is still good electrically, sometimes you can spray some WD40 of 3n1 oil to free up the plunger inside the vacuum ports, just spray some WD in the ports and let soak in and give the housing a few light taps, these plungers are generally spring loaded internally and can get sticky due to moisture through the sponge filter on the end. anything is worth a try.

[Thomas F.]

Re: Evaporative Cannister Purge Solenoid

Thanks Edward and Joe for the info. I cannot get any reading when I test the solenoid for resistance and the solenoid will not hold a vacuum when I test it and I am getting current at the connector. I assume the solenoid is purging the canister all the time. I am not sure if this is having any effect on engine performance or not, but I am having a problem when I start up the car when the engine is still warm. The engine stalls and sometimes dies a few times before it settles down and runs correctly. Engine runs fine when started up cold. I have this theory that just maybe when I shut off the engine after it has been driven and is at normal operating temperature vapors are collecting in the canister and then when I start it up a little later while it is still warm this bad solenoid is allowing the canister to purge causing a flooding effect to the engine. As I understand the canister should not purge while the system is operating in the open loop mode. Any thoughts on this?