What is the purpose of the solenoid? What does it do?

 

I know what a solenoid is, its a specially designed electromagnet. I wanted to know what the purpose of this particular solenoid is. I re-read the post, but none of them (that I could see) explains this.

 

Sorry, I didnt know what VTCS stands for. I did some researching, and I found this. Variable Timing Cam (VTC) Sprockets. This guy sounds like he has the same problem that we have, on a 1992-94 Nissan Maxima. Check this link out, sounds interesting. Hope this helps, sorry TheMAN

http://www.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/vtc/vtc.html

Here is a quote from the page:
"The 1992-1994 Maxima SE comes standard with the 3.0L V6 VE30DE engine. The problem lies with springs in the Variable Timing Cam (VTC) Sprockets. What happens is the advanced timing does NOT DISengage when the VTC are bad. So it advances timing at low RPM's. It also causes the engine to make a clattering sound that goes away after the engine warms up. Repair involves rebuilding the VTC assembly or replacing the assembly. Supposedly the new VTC assemblies are improved and will not fail, but several people have experienced VTC failure again 20-30k miles after having the assemblies rebuilt. This repair can cost from $1000 to $1400."

Does anyone have a running count of how many people have this problem?

 

is this the hose i disconect and plug the end

http://www3.sympatico.ca/malcolm.nor...e/IMG_2179.jpg

[Image removed by TheMAN due to excessive file size and resolution, image accessable via link]

 

TheMAN, so this has nothing to do with what the Protege rattle is? The description sounds EXACTLY alike.

 

To plug the open vacuum port on the solenoid, just go to any auto parts store and pick up an assortment of vacuum caps. Most places like Autozone, Advance, Crap-boys, Napa, etc have a section with miscellaneous parts in red packs branded "Help" parts. They have everything from oil drain plugs, door hinge bushings, locks, connectors and vacuum connectors. Should be less than a buck. Yank the vacuum line on the green solenoid, plug the vacuum port and rattle is gone.

 

Yep, yep this fix is the ****. Its made me sooo much more happier about my ride. The only adverse effect I have noticed is when its still cold, the throttle response seems a little laggy, but it picks right back up when you reach normal operating temp. But hey I'll trade the initial throttle lage for that irritating as hell rattle any day of the week. Besides its not like you should be racing your engine when its cold anyway.

 

Im still clueless on what this does on your car/what it wont be doing on your car if you unplug it. Is this posted somewhere, because I missed it (i dont see it anywhere )

 

Does this rattle exist on all protege models? I was going to buy a 2002 mazda protege es but am now having second thoughts... any unbias opinions out there?

PJStyles

 

I think the rattle exists on all engines which have the VTCS, which should include all the recent 2.0L engines. It is certainly not a factor for deciding whether to buy the car though. It is a minor problem which occurs only during cold starts, and an easy fix exists until Mazda comes up with an ECU reprogram which will permanently correct the problem.

I think you'll find that all of us who have the rattle are still very happy with our choice in vehicles.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Eric

 

I have a sedan and have the rattling sound. It's barely noticeable and last for about a minute. I dont think it is loud enough for people outside the car to notice. I am on a waiting list at my dealership to be called when they get the new ECU program.

 

I have the same rattling sound on my '99 ES. The 1.8L engines do not have the VTCS. I have found that 3rd Gen Protege's do not like to be between idle and 1,000rpm. I get the rattle on cold start (not as bad as the first two years, but it's still there for about 10 seconds or so) and during idle-down when the ECU holds the engine rpm's just above idle for a few seconds before settling at idle. This happens everytime the engine idles-down... so every stop light, stop sign, and parking lot.

I checked the solenoid plugs on mine. I don't have the green one on the very left (looking at the engine from the front, like in the pics). I do have a white solenoid plug in the center, though. I have come to live with it, as annoying as it is. It's annoying, yes, but it seems to be a trade-off as a lot of four cylinders are very rough at idle, which the Protege is not.

-Jerry

 

Oh man oh man, hey you know how when most people get an idea in their head a light bulb appears and goes "ding". Well my friend I think when you get an idea there are two sticks that appear over head scratching together trying to get a spark....

Anyway yes it has been discussed thoroughly in this thread. The solenoid is hookd up to that electrical sensor which communicates with the ecu. It has sumthin to do with temp readings and whether or not to actuate the solenoid. Well the solenoid is actuated by that vacuum line, when the temp as below a certain setpoint determined by the ecu. It then activates those whacky VTCS plates. If you unplug the hose and seal it off, the computer seems to be fooled into thinking everything is kosher, but the solenoid never actuates, and those damn irritating as hell plates don't rattle. At least that's whats I've gathered from this thread, someone else might be able to explain it a little better, but I think I covered the jist of the idea.

 

Why do you always have to be such a smartass! LOL You sound like you arent sure yourself, since you said "At least thats what Ive gathered...I "think" I covered the idea."

What Im trying to find is what exactly that thing does. Not spectulation and a string of threads to try to put a theory on it.

 

Heh yeah I'm just meesin with ya man. Well what is it that you want to know exactly. What the solenoid does, or what the VTCS plates do?