hey guys/girls just trying to pinpoint exactly whats going on with my air pump. car is bone stock and did not pass aircare. i read that i could directly hook up my air pump outlet straight to the catalytic conv. then ground the airpump so that it pumps constantly. so far i have determined that there is power going to the airpump and i haven't done a continuity check of the airpump (no voltmeter on me at the moment). so i removed the inlet hose and the outlet hose to the airpump to see if there is any air being moved around. i read that you should rev the engine above 2k rpm to get the air moving but no such luck. so far no air at all. next objective is to determine continuity and if that fails obviously i need a new pump. am i on the right track ? i am not the greatest backyard mechanic but i am trying lol. thx for your help all. ttyl

 

The air pump should be on automatically from idle to about 3000rpm.

After that, the clutch of the air pump stops the air pump from working.

You can see the clutch just by standing, looking at your engine bay to see if the air pump is working or not.

 

so fan doesn't turn; therefore pump is done. thx for the tip NJ.

 

Before you go crazy, check to see if the relay is good.

Or check to see if the air pump is getting power.

Rare occassions do you see air pump failure.

 

The air pump does not have a fan, what are you talking about?

 

Hopefully he is referring to the drive clutch.
In any event the most effective use of the air for cleaning up emissions is to direct it to the exhaust ports----thus means making sure the air pump and the Air Control Valve are working.