Well, I took out the KSB solenoid today and I hooked it up to 12V to see if the pin would come out. I held it on for a good 5 minutes and it got hot but the pin didn't move.

So I got hold of it with pliers and with almost no force at all it came completely out! I put it back in and worked it in and out a few times and now it seems to function. I'll have to wait till a cold morning to see for sure though. It does take a minute or so to come out but it comes out about 3/8" or more.

I took off the other end cap where the ball is also and made sure it wasn't stuck and there was no dirt in it. In fact everything was very clean so no corrosion or water damage. Hopefully that will fix it but in case it doesn't does anyone know how much a new solenoid costs?

Thanks

Edwin

 

I looked a few months ago. The cheapest I could find was about $180 and that was at a diesel injection pump repair shop. They used the Bosch nuumber to get the part number of the solenoid. On the advice of WannaDiesel, I also took apart the solenoid. As I recall mine moved, but I don't think it moved that far (3/8"). Maybe mine is still gummed up. I can't see where it makes much difference in the sound of the engine as some have said. It started to get warm here and I lost interest in ensuring mine was working. Maybe it isn't? I guess I will see next year.

 

Somebody said that it is the same part used on some VW diesels which have a Bosch pump and it was much cheaper from them. Anybody recall what the PN is?

Edwin

 

It's in the tech articles.

 

According to my old note book, the Chrysler part number is 4638937 and at chryslerpartsdirect.com it was $404. As I said, the $189 was the cheapest I could find at a repair shop. That was after many calls. Please post any results and suppliers you find.

 

edwin and vavtx -- remember, edwin has the wax pellet motor, and vavtx has the electromagnetic solenoid KSB. They aren't the same, and are wired up a little differently.

 

Sorry if I confused anyone. I am referring to the style on a 1992 model. I forgot there was two styles.

 

It seemed to be a little better cold starting this morning. But it was only 45 deg so it's hard to tell. I probably won't worry about it till next winter. Now I have to work on the turbo.

Thanks everyone.

Edwin