Hi,

I am using the OEM nissan vacuum tank for my MEVI along with a solenoid from a nissan pulsar/ NX with a harlan rpm switch. I am sourcing my vacuum from under the front valve cover into the white nipple on the vac. tank (check valve). From there I am running a vac. line from the other nipple on the vac. tank into the solenoid. Then I have a third and final vac line running from the bottom of the solenoid to the actuator arm on the MEVI. The solenoid kind of looks like an F, the hose that goes to the actuator is on the bottom of the F the hose from the vac tank is on the upper part of the F (switched port) then the lower opening is left open to vent to the atmosphere. The only thing I can get my setup to do is open the actuator arm and keep it open. If I run the hoses any other way the arm stays closed and does not open after 5K. The light on the harlan is lighting up every time the motor is reved past 5K. I hope this makes sence and thanks for reading.

Jason

 

Keep switching hoses on the solenoid valve until it works correctly.

 

Ive tried that with no luck. Has anyone else had this problem? Im about to ditch this whole thing. If it helps the solenoid is from IanS 1st MEVI group deal.

 

Than you probably have your check valve backwards. Also is you solenoid valve working? is it wired up properly?

 

what do you mean by I have my check valve backwards? The nissan vac canister has a built in check valve. I had a NAPA vac tank before and it worked fine. I dont know what could be the problem. Thanks for your help.

 

I'm just trying to think of problems. I'm trying to remember when I installed my MEVI and I remember having that same problem but it was because of the switch being set incorrectly. The only other thing I can think of is your solenoid valve not working. Because you should have a hose from somewhere on the intake that connects to the inlet of the vacuum canister, Then the outlet of the canister should go to the solenoid valve, then another hose from the solenoid to the MEVI. It's quite simple. Thus why I can then only conclude it being your solenoid valve.

 

thats exactly how I have it.

Vac source to check valve. Then a hose on the outlet of the vac tank to switched port on solenoid. The other post is venting to the atmosphere (on the solenoid). Then the opening on the bottom of the solenoid has a hose that runs to the actuator.

Is there a way to test the solenoid?

Thanks again.

 

Well the way I'm connected to the solenoid is the top of the two parallel ports is my inlet and the bottom of the two parallel ports is the outlet. The port that is not parallel is open to atmosphere.

 

that sounds exactly like mine, I have no clue this really has me stumped. Maybe I should replace the solenoid?

 

So with this setup the MEVI is staying open?

 

yes, the only thing I can get it to do is stay open all the time.

 

Have you tried moving the bottom hose of the solenoid valve to the very bottom and leaving the bottom parallel port open to air.

 

I had the same problem, different style solenoid though, I think it was a GM part. The solenoid I'm using needs a 12V source to vent to atmosphere (butterflies closed) and allows vacuum when it's powered off (butterflies open). Through me for a loop. The butterflies are open when the car is off, but when turned on (and wired properly) the butterflies are closed.

I needed a five post relay for this to work. I used the circuit on the relay that is closed when below the set RPM (12V through the relay), and switches to an open circuit (no power) when the rpm switch is triggered. Backwards to how I'd expect the solenoid to work.

 

thanks for the replies I will take a pic of my set up and try and post it. What vac. tank are you using? Are you saying you need a relay for the solenoid? I have one for the rpm switch only.

 

Napa vacuum canister.

I have a relay between the rpm switch and the vacuum solenoid. You shouldn't run the solenoid directly off the RPM switch...too much current drawn.

12V and switched ground from RPM switch on coil side of relay. 12V and wire going to solenoid on switched side of relay.

 

Okay, so does the MEVI stay open as soon as you start up your car? Or does it stay open once you rev past 5k?

 

it stays open all the time. Im a dumb *** when it comes to wiring, so Im screwed!

 

So when the switchover point hits, does it close? If not, then something is wrong with the wiring somewhere or either the Harlan is bad.

The other thing is when I first set up mine, I had the hoses setup incorrectly on the solenoid. First thing to do is make sure the vented valve is left open and side of the solenoid that has 2 valves have hoses on them.

 

This could be totally wrong becuase i havent even installed mine (yet) but is the harlan switch adjustable like the summit? if so, could he have it adjusted wrong? does anyone have pictures to post. maybe hes a visual learner

 

The harlan is adjustable but no one here can say what is wrong. We can only say what's right, meaning how it should be hooked up.

Oh yeah, Harlan sucks.

 

this is the easiest install to get. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=347286

and as far as the harlan switch goes i can't debate it cause i have no experience but summit is the way to goes with ease

 

thanks a lot guys. I have a summit switch its just not installed. When the switchover point hits it will stay open. The light on the harlan is lighting up at 5K. Deezo, how do I know which port on the solenoid needs to vent?

 

The side with the 2 ports need to have hoses on them and the side with 1 port need to be vented. I learned this after asking questions and fudging around with mine last year. I set up Zach342's the same way 2 weeks ago on his 99.

 

Like Deezo said, the two ports on the one side are connected to the vacuum lines and the one on the bottom vents to atmosphere. The MEVI staying on all the time is becasue you have the vacuum lines wrong.

 

cool, thats a lot guys I'll try this during lunch and let you know what happens. So the bottom port is the one that vents? I have the bottom port on the solenoid connected to the actuator.

 

grr i think this is whats going on with me. The butterflies are always open inless i disconnect a vacuum line. I dont have any wiring connected to GM switch bc i dnt have the proper connector. Where did you find yours?