gropingpriest

Hey guys, I've finally gotten to the bottom of my boost issues. It was both the wastegate needing adjustment and the solenoid being bad. My mechanic says it's on backorder and it's a $400 part. However, I was thinking that it USED to be that expensive cuz you had to replace the whole actuator (or maybe the whole wastegate?). But then Chevy released the solenoid by itself?

Can anyone help me find a cheaper one or even one at all? Google isn't helping

Kobraa

iTrader: (1)

You talking about the solenoid that controls vacuum to the wastegate?

Kobraa

iTrader: (1)

12633355 Ecotec LNF Bypass Valve Solenoid

gropingpriest

I assumed it was the solenoid that controls the wastegate actuator, not the BPV... but I may be misinterpreting things.

gropingpriest

I believe the same part these guys are referring to: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/08-1...ircuit-190417/

I

gropingpriest

Just a heads up to anyone who comes across this thread: I replaced the wastegate solenoid with GM part #12633411

I got it on Amazon for $50. Originally my mechanic said I needed the $400 kit which was on national backorder, and he wasn't sure if this would fit. It did fit perfectly.

It is also known as "boost control solenoid"

gropingpriest

And to further explain the issues my car was having:

Originally thought it was a boost leak, because I heard a whistling sound when turbo spooled and I couldn't build boost past around 5-8 PSI. However, it didn't ALWAYS make the leaking sound. I got a boost leak test done and it passed without a leak.

Then we explored the wastegate. Turns out it needed a wastegate actuator adjustment, but that didn't solve the problem. Still heard the loud whistling on turbo spool and couldn't build enough boost. This led us to the wastegate solenoid, which was triggering a code (I'm not sure which, sorry) and causing the wastegate to open or something. Anywho, it was just an electrical issue, not anything physically wrong with the turbo or the wastegate. Fixing the solenoid proved to be the issue.


So, if you are having trouble building boost beyond 5-8 PSI, and you hear a whistling, I can almost guarantee it's the wastegate solenoid. Sounds like a lot of people have had this problem with not only the Cobalt, but also on the Sky/Solstice. I saw a LOT of misdiagnoses as the wastegate being faulty or even people replacing the turbo. Check out the solenoid first! You can bypass it and see if it works, which will prove that it's the solenoid.

SilverSS2008

Thank you for posting this. That is exactly what my car was doing. $50 and 5 minutes later, it feels like a whole new car.