Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
I remember we use to have pics and how to for DIY changin of the S/C coulpler but can't find it.
I'm gettin 0 boost at woot.. and at times it feels like the S/C will slam on in WOT ( I can feel it and see with the boost gauge )
I have yet to take the belt off to check for slack.. but I don't see any signs of belt slips. I"ve had the boot solenoid bypass'd so I know its not from computer tryin to dump boost.
P.S.
Wheres the info and parts number for the sway back bushing also ??
I'm gettin 0 boost at woot.. and at times it feels like the S/C will slam on in WOT ( I can feel it and see with the boost gauge )
I have yet to take the belt off to check for slack.. but I don't see any signs of belt slips. I"ve had the boot solenoid bypass'd so I know its not from computer tryin to dump boost.
P.S.
Wheres the info and parts number for the sway back bushing also ??

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on
-
BillBoost37
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 29203
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:29 pm
- Year and Trim: 00 Regal
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
Monkey boy...long time no hear.
If the coupler goes out, the pins would still make contact and the charger would still turn. Unless the drive shaft to it snapped and I don't think that's ever been seen w/o total rotor lockup.
Double check the actuator to ensure it's in the correct position.
Rear end link kit? 9.8120 IIRC.
If the coupler goes out, the pins would still make contact and the charger would still turn. Unless the drive shaft to it snapped and I don't think that's ever been seen w/o total rotor lockup.
Double check the actuator to ensure it's in the correct position.
Rear end link kit? 9.8120 IIRC.
97 Ei
97 GS
98 GS
97 GS
98 GS
- willwren
- Retired Admin

- Posts: 65489
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 11:07 pm
- Year and Trim: .
93 SSEi
95 SLE (SC)
97 Buick LeSabre - Location: Oregon WCBF'04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 Survivor
- Contact:
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
Endlinks:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... sion#p4938
Even without a coupler, your supercharger will read full boost if everything else is in working order. A coupler itself cannot cause lack of boost, just alot of noise.
You either have a severe boost/vac leak, or a problem with the actuator. Please don't run with the BCS bypassed except as a troubleshooting step. Please also check the vacuum lines to the MAP sensors.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... sion#p4938
Even without a coupler, your supercharger will read full boost if everything else is in working order. A coupler itself cannot cause lack of boost, just alot of noise.
You either have a severe boost/vac leak, or a problem with the actuator. Please don't run with the BCS bypassed except as a troubleshooting step. Please also check the vacuum lines to the MAP sensors.

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
I haven't run a vacuum test on the actuator..
But I do see it moving from extend to full compress when I start the car.
It will extend when I start giving it some gas.
If the MAP sensor reading was off for some reason.. and with the bypass..overide. wouldn't it be theory still build boost?
When I went on WOT runs, a few times it seems like the supercharger will catch, and I will make boost ( and I can feel the difference when it does register boost ) but its intermitant
But I do see it moving from extend to full compress when I start the car.
It will extend when I start giving it some gas.
If the MAP sensor reading was off for some reason.. and with the bypass..overide. wouldn't it be theory still build boost?
When I went on WOT runs, a few times it seems like the supercharger will catch, and I will make boost ( and I can feel the difference when it does register boost ) but its intermitant

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on
-
Vas62
- SSEi Member

- Posts: 178
- Joined: Sat May 24, 2008 2:12 pm
- Year and Trim: 1995 SSEi
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
When I had the same symptoms (0 boost at WOT) it was BCS that failed.
Got one from BillBoost ,changed and it works since.
Got one from BillBoost ,changed and it works since.
Last edited by Vas62 on Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1995 SSEi
%$#@&ing thing keeps me busy
%$#@&ing thing keeps me busy
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
thanx vas. but I bypassed the solenoid.. and still the same :(
thinking out loud.
I remember reading it years ago bout this, and wondering wat people think...
if I remove the actuator.. and put the lever to full boost to test it out. ( whether or not I can make boost ) to confirm the actuator. will it destroy anything? will my idle shoot up to 5k rpm etc.??
thinking out loud.
I remember reading it years ago bout this, and wondering wat people think...
if I remove the actuator.. and put the lever to full boost to test it out. ( whether or not I can make boost ) to confirm the actuator. will it destroy anything? will my idle shoot up to 5k rpm etc.??

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on
- willwren
- Retired Admin

- Posts: 65489
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 11:07 pm
- Year and Trim: .
93 SSEi
95 SLE (SC)
97 Buick LeSabre - Location: Oregon WCBF'04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 Survivor
- Contact:
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
No, that won't hurt anything for a run, but it may be hard to start. Keep in mind there are several vacuum leaks that can prevent the BCA from full travel even if the BCA is bypassed. I hope you plugged the open port when you did that.
I've seen BCA's fail where they wouldn't fully travel, and recovered when they were lubed internally and on the shaft/seal. If you determine you get full boost with a mechanical bypass bypass (that's funny), squirt a little light oil into each port and on the shaft and excercise it a bit, then re-try the BCA. Also very carefully inspect the body of the BCA itself for cracks/leaks. The 96-03 actuators are plastic, not metal, and are slightly more prone to these problems than the earlier 91-95 actuators that are made of metal.
Make sure your bypass doesn't feel sticky, and if it does, try to lube it. This can be done easily on the front half of the shaft, but to lube the rear, it's best to remove the TB and lube it from down the bypass hole or while the SC is off the car.
I've seen BCA's fail where they wouldn't fully travel, and recovered when they were lubed internally and on the shaft/seal. If you determine you get full boost with a mechanical bypass bypass (that's funny), squirt a little light oil into each port and on the shaft and excercise it a bit, then re-try the BCA. Also very carefully inspect the body of the BCA itself for cracks/leaks. The 96-03 actuators are plastic, not metal, and are slightly more prone to these problems than the earlier 91-95 actuators that are made of metal.
Make sure your bypass doesn't feel sticky, and if it does, try to lube it. This can be done easily on the front half of the shaft, but to lube the rear, it's best to remove the TB and lube it from down the bypass hole or while the SC is off the car.

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
Thanks drunken monkey
( and boost monkey )
It is the actuator sticking.
The lever doesnt go all the way to the setscrew at the bottom. I can feel a bind spot ( when I moved it up and down). I also duralube'd the shaft and it still binds. Don't know if its the BCA or something else binding it.
So in the process of troubleshooting, I broke the vacuum hose to the BCA.. so said the heck with it and push the lever all the way to the setscrew. WWWHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!
BOOOSSST !!!!!
So I"ll be careful with releasing the throttle ( gently ) in the meantime to get home and later on to GM parts counter
( and boost monkey )
It is the actuator sticking.
The lever doesnt go all the way to the setscrew at the bottom. I can feel a bind spot ( when I moved it up and down). I also duralube'd the shaft and it still binds. Don't know if its the BCA or something else binding it.
So in the process of troubleshooting, I broke the vacuum hose to the BCA.. so said the heck with it and push the lever all the way to the setscrew. WWWHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!
BOOOSSST !!!!!
So I"ll be careful with releasing the throttle ( gently ) in the meantime to get home and later on to GM parts counter

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
P.S.
Anyone know the part number to the BCA/wastgate actuator?
and the vacuum piping from the vacuum tree thing to the actuator?
So I can look it up on gmpartsdirect.com
Anyone know the part number to the BCA/wastgate actuator?
and the vacuum piping from the vacuum tree thing to the actuator?
So I can look it up on gmpartsdirect.com
Last edited by drifter420 on Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on
- willwren
- Retired Admin

- Posts: 65489
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 11:07 pm
- Year and Trim: .
93 SSEi
95 SLE (SC)
97 Buick LeSabre - Location: Oregon WCBF'04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11 Survivor
- Contact:
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
GMPD won't ship to Canadia.
You can use any vacuum line. Cut and fit. Canadian Tire should have what you need for that.
Someone here probably has a 96-03 BCA laying around. Post in wanted. Did you try to lube the INSIDE of the BCA through the vac ports and work it in and out by hand? You sure it's not the bypass shaft in the SC binding?
You can use any vacuum line. Cut and fit. Canadian Tire should have what you need for that.
Someone here probably has a 96-03 BCA laying around. Post in wanted. Did you try to lube the INSIDE of the BCA through the vac ports and work it in and out by hand? You sure it's not the bypass shaft in the SC binding?

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers
- drifter420
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 2806
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 am
- Year and Trim: 97 SSEI
Re: Where's the DIY for S/C coupler change info?
well.. I worked it a few more times.. and I guess I had to wait for the lube to sit thru.. its not binding anymore.
I"ll have to head out and get some vacuum lines tomorrow since for some reason crappy tire was closed today
and I wasn't going to drive another half hour to the next one
Which top or bottom of the BCS lines goes to the BCA? I"ve had it removed so long I can't remember
I"ll have to head out and get some vacuum lines tomorrow since for some reason crappy tire was closed today
Which top or bottom of the BCS lines goes to the BCA? I"ve had it removed so long I can't remember

AEM dryflow, 180 T stat, magnaflow hi flo cat, TR55 NGK Iridiums, Belden wires.. Waiting to remedy KR before 3.4 pulley goes on

