VVIS. Not working. Why?

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 03 Dec 2012, 21:35

My daughter got our 93' GLT and was noting that it seemed low on power in 1st and 2nd gear. I too have noticed this and just thought that this is how a 5 cylinder is. So after reading up on the VVIS system, I checked to see if the only visible moving part moves. Well it doesn't. So where does one start chasing this issue? I am just wondering if pulling the radiator and fan is going to be my best choice in order to get to the actuator and related parts.

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 Dec 2012, 21:38

Broken vacuum line to the VVIS solenoid is where I'd start.

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 03 Dec 2012, 21:41

You wouldn't happen to know where I might look would you?

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 Dec 2012, 21:46

If you scroll about halfway down this page, I believe bigdaddylee uses quite a few of the stock VVIS vacuum hookups (at the intake manifold/vacuum tree) in his retrofit of the VVIS system.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =5&t=30281

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 03 Dec 2012, 21:54

The thread you posted is where I started to understand the VVIS system. Unfortunately this write up is for a retro fit and it looks like he is only using the stock actuator. I just can't seem to find the solenoid. I looked in the Haynes manual but found nothing on the VVIS. Thanks for your time, jblackburn.

Post by **precopster** » 04 Dec 2012, 01:44

I have a VVIS intake manifold from an Australian 850 GLT '96 (guess we may have missed out on the kidney shaped ports until the V70 was released in the year after)

I shot a little video that may help:

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 04 Dec 2012, 18:13

Thanks for posting, Doyle. This helped quite a lot. Now I know where to look for the actuator and know now that the actuator vac line is a hard line up to the actuator. I will likely be tearing into this project over the weekend.

Post by **precopster** » 05 Dec 2012, 11:07

You're welcome. Doyle is part of my signature; a quotation by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My name is Mike but if you like just call me Sir Arthur; it has a nice ring to it

mrwillie · Post by **mrwillie** » 06 Dec 2012, 14:11

I think that this is the vac line I just replaced during my lunch break. I could see the nipple for the line from under the car, and could just barely reach it from the top( going between the fan shroud and the intake manifold. I used 3/8"(I think... ) fuel line to replace the entire length of hose( ie didnt use the rubber elbows or the tiny plastic hose ). We'll see how it goes from there.

There is also a VVIS diag procedure in the service manual. I think I found it here somewhere, but do remember it being straight-forward.

Good luck this weekend.

Post by **Ben850** » 09 Dec 2012, 10:15

I never heard the location of the solenoid answered for the OP in this thread. It is located on the air box under the distributor. You may have found it by following the vacuum line from the actuator on the manifold.

Here is a vacuum diagram I am now all too familiar with. The solenoid is letter I. Once again, it is attached to the air box. I will add a photo when I find one.

: Vacuum solenoid.gif (24.29 KiB) Viewed 1583 times

Also, The vacuum tank G. is located in the front fender, in front of the EVAP canister. The tube that comes from this tank is very fragile. Mine was broken from an accident, but if you lose vacuum at the tank you will also lose VVIS operation.
Good luck.

Oh, and the solenoid itself does not actuate the the VVIS until 4,100 RPM, or 80% throttle. So you may be expecting something from it that it was not designed to do.
Search VVIS modification if you want a better result. I did.