Variocam Solenoid testing with 12V question....

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

I remember reading somewhere cant remember where but to test if your solenoid is working is to put 12v power to it. Does anyone know which is the power on the actual solenoid? From looking at the wire one is Red with blue stripe and other is gray and red stripe on it. Any feedback on the wiring or which wire Im putting the power to would be great.

Motors currently out of the car so no way of testing that way. Its a 98 5 Chain

Thanks in advance

So if the wiring diagram is correct your looking at bank 1
The Red with Blue stripe goes to ground.
The Gray with Red goes to the DME/ECU

I have read that a simple 9volt like used in a smoke alarm will work also.
If the solenoid works you should hear it click when powered.

Hope this helps

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by blue62

So if the wiring diagram is correct your looking at bank 1
The Red with Blue stripe goes to ground.
The Gray with Red goes to the DME/ECU

I have read that a simple 9volt like used in a smoke alarm will work also.
If the solenoid works you should hear it click when powered.

Hope this helps

That’s exactly what I needed to know thank you kind sir! You are correct that is for bank 1. I’ll try it with a 9v tomorrow. You wouldn’t happen to know bank 2 wiring would you? Don’t have the color on me at the moment.

Thanks again.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

That’s exactly what I needed to know thank you kind sir! You are correct that is for bank 1. I’ll try it with a 9v tomorrow. You wouldn’t happen to know bank 2 wiring would you? Don’t have the color on me at the moment.

Thanks again.

On bank 2 the Red with blue stripe is ground same as bank 1.
The other wire runs back to the DME/ECU.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by blue62

... I have read that a simple 9volt like used in a smoke alarm will work also.
If the solenoid works you should hear it click when powered.

Hope this helps

I tried with a 9V and got nothing... with 12V worked.