Ok the short of it is I don't know exactly what is wrong with the airpump. I know the airpump itself istn't bad though.

It wasn't working for a while and when I took it to my mechanic for an unrelated boost issue it somehow got resolved and the boost issue didn't. I talked to my mechanic and he said that he didn't touch anything to do with the airpump. I liked it working and after making it through inspection I was happy. I recently returned my car to my mechanic for an even worst boost issue (damned solenoids) and it has now once again returned to me and it isn't working.

A couple of questions. Is it save to unplug the airpump and re-plug it in while the car is running to see if it is a connection problem? I am pretty sure it has something to do with the leads going to the airpump that switch it on and off because it is right next too the vacuum chamber and has to be moved around in order to remove the UIM and such to get to the solenoids. What other suggestions do you all have on this issue? I have changed the airpump out to no avail so I know it isn't the part itself.

 

By the way in case you were wondering how I know that it isn't working it is because:

1. When it is working I draw about 30 more mmHG at idle.
2. When it is working I get small backfires when I lift off at around 2500 RPM.

ANy help would be appreciated.

 

First off, check if the air pump clutch is engaging, i.e. the center part of the pulley is moving, not just the outer portion free-wheeling. If the whole thing is turning, then the problem is not that the pulley is not physically working.

By the way...it should not be a problem to disconnect and reconnect the electrical connector for the airpump. If however the pulley is just freewheeling, it will do nothing.

If that is the case, i.e. it is just spinning, then you may want to check your air pump relay, or one of the fuses. Does your AC work? I found out that the AC fuse can blow if you accidentally short the hot side of the air pump electrical connector to ground so they must both be connected through that fuse. If your AC compressor stopped working too, its definitely that 15A fuse.

jds