RAM 3500 Truck 4WD L6-5.9L DSL Turbo VIN C (2002)
Leak Detection Pump: Description and Operation
The Leak Detection Pump (LDP) is used only with certain emission packages
The LDP is a device used to detect a leak in the evaporative system.
The pump contains a 3 port solenoid, a pump that contains a switch, a spring loaded canister vent valve seal, 2 check valves and a spring/diaphragm.
Immediately after a cold start, engine temperature between 400F and 860F, the 3 port solenoid is briefly energized. This initializes the pump by drawing
air into the pump cavity and also closes the vent seal. During non-test test conditions, the vent seal is held open by the pump diaphragm assembly which
pushes it open at the full travel position. The vent seal will remain closed while the pump is cycling. This is due to the operation of the 3 port solenoid
which prevents the diaphragm assembly from reaching full travel. After the brief initialization period, the solenoid is de-energized, allowing atmospheric
pressure to enter the pump cavity. This permits the spring to drive the diaphragm which forces air out of the pump cavity and into the vent system. When
the solenoid is energized and de-energized, the cycle is repeated creating flow in typical diaphragm pump fashion. The pump is controlled in 2 modes:
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Pump Mode: The pump is cycled at a fixed rate to achieve a rapid pressure build in order to shorten the overall test time.
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Test Mode: The solenoid is energized with a fixed duration pulse. Subsequent fixed pulses occur when the diaphragm reaches the switch closure
point.
The spring in the pump is set so that the system will achieve an equalized pressure of about 7.5 inches of water.
When the pump starts, the cycle rate is quite high. As the system becomes pressurized pump rate drops. If there is no leak the pump will quit. If there is a
leak, the test is terminated at the end of the test mode.
If there is no leak, the purge monitor is run. If the cycle rate increases due to the flow through the purge system, the test is passed and the diagnostic is
complete.
The canister vent valve will unseal the system after completion of the test sequence as the pump diaphragm assembly moves to the full travel position.
