Question: Air Pump

[John Robinson]

A couple of days ago I started to hear a high pitched noise like a dry shaft running at high speed. Took the air pump off and just as I suspected the motor was seized tight. I have checked with Cardone directly and they don't have one or Advance auto or Oreilleys etc. Can someone tell if it is possible for a elelctric motor repair shop to rewind the motor on this air pump? If not were would you suggest I try next to locate a replacement?

 

[93Rubie]

If not locally see if you can get one from the MANY corvette parts sources ie. Corvette Central, Ecklers, etc...etc...

Check a motor repair shop in your area is a good idea, might be cheaper?

Me I would leave it off, unless you are intent on keeping it stock. In my opinion if it doesn't make the car go faster, stop better or hug a corner. I don't need it.

 

[John Robinson]

Your next step

If not locally see if you can get one from the MANY corvette parts sources ie. Corvette Central, Ecklers, etc...etc...

Check a motor repair shop in your area is a good idea, might be cheaper?

Me I would leave it off, unless you are intent on keeping it stock. In my opinion if it doesn't make the car go faster, stop better or hug a corner. I don't need it.

How do I satisfy the ecm to accept that it is not there? One of the things I found out in the FSM is that with it not working correctly it is making the 02 sensor think it is running lean so i get a code 64.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Is there a way to open up the pump(nuts & bolts)? Or is it sealed? If you can, I would call a motor repair shop & see if they can help ya.

 

[John Robinson]

Is there a way to open up the pump(nuts & bolts)? Or is it sealed? If you can, I would call a motor repair shop & see if they can help ya.

Yes I have had it apart. When I took the armature out there were some broken wires so I put it back together. At the time I thought about soldering the broken wires to the side of the armature wires next to them or splicing some wire onto them and trying to find were the broken end was to attach the splice too. I was unsure what would happen if I did.

 

[Kenny]

When I was at funfest I asked Chris Petris (he was presenting several forums on maintainance) about this as mine is locked up. I was told that the pump only operates for the first 2 min. only at engine start up and then is turns off. This was to reduce start up emmissions and get the o2 sensors hot quicker. His advice was to forget about it.
Hope this helps
Ken

 

[vetteoz]

One of the things I found out in the FSM is that with it not working correctly it is making the 02 sensor think it is running lean so i get a code 64.

It only runs at specified times ( startup ) to inject air to cleanup rich exh and raise temp of exh to get the cat working.
I don't recall any feedback to ECM on '93's to say whether it is working or not which means you should be able to do what the TPI owners do with the engine driven pump and just disconnect / delete it

In any case the air dumps into both exh manifolds so you would get a rich cond indicated on both O2 sensors

 

[toptechx6]

Someone on another forum had a question about the air pump a couple of days ago and I noticed it is available from Rock Auto, about $180. I agree with vettoz that disconnecting it should cause no codes or problems. Its function is to help heat up the cats quicker, it only operates for a couple of minutes on start up.

 

[John Robinson]

I rechecked the motor to day on the air pump and repaired a broken wire on the armature. That gave me continuaty through the windings but the motor still does not work when I start the car up. Since I live in a state without an emissions testing requirement I think I will just let it go. On tuesday I put a new O2 sensor in. The car is back to getting 17 to 18 MPH in town from 10 and 11 before I replaced the sensor. I have made a few wot runs to the century mark and am not getting the code 64 any more.

 

[93Rubie]

Nice to see you solved that one. Even without the air pump your car is still way cleaner than any carburetor vehicle. Clean enough.