Emissions DODGE RAM 1500 1998 2.G Service Manual

NATURAL VAC LEAK
DETECTION ASSY
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with NGC engine control mod-
ules use an NVLD pump and system.Vehicles
equipped with JTEC engine control modules use an
LDP (leak detection pump). Refer to Leak Detection
Pump (LDP) for additional information.
The NVLD pump is located in the same area as the
leak detection pump. Refer to NVLD Removal /
Installation for additional information.
OPERATION
Vehicles equipped with NGC engine control mod-
ules use an NVLD pump and system.Vehicles
equipped with JTEC engine control modules use a
leak detection pump. Refer to Leak Detection Pump
(LDP) for additional information.
The Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) sys-
tem is the next generation evaporative leak detection
system that will first be used on vehicles equipped
with the Next Generation Controller (NGC). This
new system replaces the leak detection pump as the
method of evaporative system leak detection. This isto detect a leak equivalent to a 0.0209(0.5 mm) hole.
This system has the capability to detect holes of this
size very dependably.
The basic leak detection theory employed with
NVLD is the9Gas Law9. This is to say that the pres-
sure in a sealed vessel will change if the temperature
of the gas in the vessel changes. The vessel will only
see this effect if it is indeed sealed. Even small leaks
will allow the pressure in the vessel to come to equi-
librium with the ambient pressure. In addition to the
detection of very small leaks, this system has the
capability of detecting medium as well as large evap-
orative system leaks.
A vent valve seals the canister vent during engine
off conditions. If the vapor system has a leak of less
than the failure threshold, the evaporative system
will be pulled into a vacuum, either due to the cool
down from operating temperature or diurnal ambient
temperature cycling. The diurnal effect is considered
one of the primary contributors to the leak determi-
nation by this diagnostic. When the vacuum in the
system exceeds about 19H2O (0.25 KPA), a vacuum
switch closes. The switch closure sends a signal to
the NGC. The NGC, via appropriate logic strategies,
utilizes the switch signal, or lack thereof, to make a
determination of whether a leak is present.
Fig. 24 EVAP CANISTERS - REMOVAL / INSTALLATION
1 - CANISTER MOUNTING NUTS
2 - CONNECTING HOSE
3 - UPPER SUPPORT BRACKET4 - LOWER SUPPORT BRACKET
5 - OUTER CANISTER
6 - INNER CANISTER
DREVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS 25 - 23
VAPOR CANISTER (Continued)

The NVLD device is designed with a normally open
vacuum switch, a normally closed solenoid, and a
seal, which is actuated by both the solenoid and a
diaphragm. The NVLD is located on the atmospheric
vent side of the canister. The NVLD assembly may
be mounted on top of the canister outlet, or in-line
between the canister and atmospheric vent filter. The
normally open vacuum switch will close with about 19
H2O (0.25 KPA) vacuum in the evaporative system.
The diaphragm actuates the switch. This is above the
opening point of the fuel inlet check valve in the fill
tube so cap off leaks can be detected. Submerged fill
systems must have recirculation lines that do not
have the in-line normally closed check valve that pro-
tects the system from failed nozzle liquid ingestion,
in order to detect cap off conditions.
The normally closed valve in the NVLD is intended
to maintain the seal on the evaporative system dur-
ing the engine off condition. If vacuum in the evapo-
rative system exceeds 39to 69H2O (0.75 to 1.5 KPA),
the valve will be pulled off the seat, opening the seal.
This will protect the system from excessive vacuum
as well as allowing sufficient purge flow in the event
that the solenoid was to become inoperative.
The solenoid actuates the valve to unseal the can-
ister vent while the engine is running. It also will be
used to close the vent during the medium and large
leak tests and during the purge flow check. This sole-
noid requires initial 1.5 amps of current to pull the
valve open but after 100 ms. will be duty cycled down
to an average of about 150 mA for the remainder of
the drive cycle.
Another feature in the device is a diaphragm that
will open the seal in the NVLD with pressure in the
evaporative system. The device will9blow off9at
about 0.59H2O (0.12 KPA) pressure to permit the
venting of vapors during refueling. An added benefit
to this is that it will also allow the tank to9breathe9
during increasing temperatures, thus limiting the
pressure in the tank to this low level. This is benefi-
cial because the induced vacuum during a subse-
quent declining temperature will achieve the switch
closed (pass threshold) sooner than if the tank had to
decay from a built up pressure.
The device itself has 3 wires: Switch sense, sole-
noid driver and ground. It also includes a resistor to
protect the switch from a short to battery or a short
to ground. The NGC utilizes a high-side driver to
energize and duty-cycle the solenoid.REMOVAL
The NVLD pump and filter are attached to the
front of the EVAP canister mounting bracket (Fig.
25). This is located near the front of the fuel tank.
The pump and filter are replaced (serviced) as one
unit.
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Carefully remove pump hose clamp and hose at
filter.
(3) Carefully remove other vapor/vacuum hose at
pump.
(4) Disconnect 3±way electrical connector at pump.
(5) The NVLD pump snaps onto the EVAP canister
mounting bracket. Press on release tab (Fig. 26)
while sliding pump from bracket.
Fig. 25 NVLD PUMP LOCATION
1 - EVAP CANISTER MOUNTING BRACKET
2 - NVLD PUMP
3 - FILTER
25 - 24 EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONSDR
NATURAL VAC LEAK DETECTION ASSY (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install NVLD pump to EVAP canister mount-
ing bracket (snaps on).
(2) Install NVLD filter and bolt to EVAP canister
mounting bracket. Refer to Torque Specifications.
(3) Carefully install vapor/vacuum lines to NVLD
pump, and install hose to filter.The vapor/vacuum
lines and hoses must be firmly connected.
Check the vapor/vacuum lines at the NVLD
pump, filter and EVAP canister purge solenoid
for damage or leaks. If a leak is present, a Diag-
nostic Trouble Code (DTC) may be set.
(4) Connect 3±way electrical connector to pump.
Fig. 26 REMOVE / INSTALL NVLD PUMP
1 - NVLD PUMP
2 - RELEASE TAB
DREVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS 25 - 25
NATURAL VAC LEAK DETECTION ASSY (Continued)