So I've been working on my truck, and my mechanic, Jay, slapped the code reader on the car because I was getting a CEL... Both the left and right intake runners are stuck shut. I can feel the air motors on the back of the intake, and both rubber poppets are sound, and when disconnected, the butterflies move with the tip of a finger, so I was just wondering if anyone knew what trigger opens those.

I know I have tore up Catverters. All four of them rattle to beat all. The truck has almost no power above 3300rpm, so I'll believe the On Board Diagnostics when it says the runners are stuck. But I can't figure out why.

Any Ideas?

~Cerberus

 

There were two different versions of the IMRC setup.
Early ones were vaccum operated, the later ones were electric.
If yours is vacuum: an electrical signal provided by the computer operates the solenoid that switches the vacuum on to open the runners at approx 3000 rpm.
Sounds like you might have a vacuum line off or leaking, as stuck shut is the no vacuum position.

Here's a reference to an old thread that might be of some help:
See the very last post.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...runner+control

edit to add: I searched some more and found another thread that might be of some help. (except this was for runners stuck open)

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...runner+control

 

Hrmmm... Where is this solenoid for which you speak?? I rebuild solenoids for a water lab, and if THAT is the case, then I'm in the green... I figured they were operated on exhaust backpressure like my Mazda RX-7... But if they're actually electronically controlled... HRM....

 

Mounted on the back of the upper intake manifold - or so I'm told.
I never had problems with mine so I never had to dig too deeply into it - just know about it from reading in the Haynes book and talking to guys here.

I'd try the rubber line hooked direct to the IMRC controlers and see if you can open them by sucking on the rubber hose.
At least then you'd know if you should start looking at electrical or steer towards a vacuum problem.

I'm guessing the signal is getting to the solenoid and the solenoid is working, but a vacuum line or leak is causing the problem.
But that is JUST a guess.

 

Yeah, I checked all of those components when I did my lower intake manifold gasket. Made sure the air motors were functioning correctly, that none of the parts were physically jammed. That's why I asked what feeds them. I'll pull the solenoid itself tomorrow, and put it on my solenoid bench at work. If I can't get it to pop, It's not like I don't have a cabinet full of air solenoids - one of 'em has got to be 12V...

It's good to be an engineer.

~Dr. Frankenstien.
Member - Home Depot Speed Shop
Member - 2002 Challenge
Member - Redneck Yard of the Week