Supercharger (3.8L VIN 1): Operation

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Supercharger boost pressure is regulated to prevent engine and drive train damage. When the engine is operating under high boost conditions, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) limits boost pressure to 8 psi. The PCM disables boost under the following conditions:

When Reverse gear is selected.
When the vehicle is decelerating.
When the engine coolant temperature is excessively high.
When drivetrain abuse is detected.

The PCM controls boost pressure by using the boost control solenoid. The boost control solenoid is normally an open valve. Under most conditions, the PCM commands the boost control solenoid to operate at a 100 percent duty cycle. This keeps the solenoid valve closed and allows only inlet vacuum to control the position of the bypass valve. At idle, engine vacuum is applied to the upper side of the bypass valve actuator, counteracting spring tension to hold the bypass valve open. As engine load is increased, engine vacuum is decreased, causing the spring in the bypass valve actuator to overcome the applied vacuum, closing the bypass valve and allowing the boost pressure to increase. When reduced boost pressure is desired, the PCM commands the boost control solenoid to operate at a zero percent duty cycle. This opens the solenoid valve and allows boost pressure to enter the bypass valve actuator at the lower side to counteract the spring tension, opening the bypass valve and recirculating excess boost pressure back into the supercharger inlet.