Turbo problems...go figure

well finally after much anger and frustration i got my turbo boosting past 6 pounds.

steps i took to get where i am
-checked re-checked and checked the vaccume lines (WITHOUT A DOUBT NO LEAKS) result: no effect
-zip strapped all vaccume conections just to be sure result: no effect
-replaced Barometric solenoid result: you guessed it....no effect
-booted it around for 45 minutes with the wastegate unhooked, hit 11 pounds but it was extremley soggy
-replaced MAP sensor result no effect
-CHOPPED OFF THE CAT result: peppier bottom end alll the way up to 6psi but ABSOLUTLY NO HIGHER
-unhooked wastegate vaccume line after chopping off the cat result: blew off intercooler hose at 11psi but could have gone higher.

anywho the end result i have lots of good clean boost with the wastegate unhooked, but under computer controll it wont budge past 6psi, it's almost as though i'm running a T1 computer, but i know that's not the story, this really puzzles me...any ideas???

btw i am putting in a g-valve and cut-out raiser early this coming week, so it wont matter, but i am still curious as to why i can't get past 6psi under computer controll.

Somebody who knows more feel free to correct me, but the explanations in order of likelihood are:
1) Missing restrictor in vac line to wastegate
2) Week wastegate actuator spring
3) Bum solenoid

Have fun

[Austrian Dodge]

hmmm i have the same problem, but kinda opposite way

buyed the car , wastegate vaccume line was unhooked-> about 16 PSI (no boost cutout! )

plugged the vaccume line on it -> above 15 PSI, i gess about 20 - 25 PSI (stock boost gauge )
-> boost cutout at 4000rpm

unhooked wastegate vaccume line -> guess what, 20 - 25 PSI

drove the car like ass, making nearly no boost.
at one light, i HAD to do boost, hit cutout 3 times

10km's later, engine stalled.
fault code 45 -> boost limit exceeded.

reseted -> fault code 11: have to change timing belt

but i have no idea where my boost problem comes from

the resitrictor is in the wastegate line, that's the point where i unhook the wastegate at :P

as far as i know the spring is still good(at least it is good for over 6 pounds i know that much)..see below for why it may not be.

the solenoid is the only thing i can think of that could still be causing this problem


i've been bootin around with the wastegate unhooked for a couple days now (watching my gauges like a hawk of course) the car hauls ass, but it only seems to be hitting about 10 pounds, and will slowly creep higher if the throttle is held open, this leads me to believe that the spring in my can is weakened, am I right?

I can rule out a faulty gauge right now, since i've just installed a brand new autometer boost gauge.

Chris W
You wrote "Number 1 and 3 are eliminated with the actuator/wastegate line disconnected" To the contrary, Jedd indicated that with the line disconnected he was easily hitting 11 and could have gone higher. Given that information and his assurance that the restrictor is in place, I would think that his problem is probably the solenoid, wouldn't you? Or am I thinking bassackward?

I'm aware that it dosen't matter where you disconect the line at, i just mentioned that it was at the restrictor to make the point that the restrictor is there and isin't a possible problem.

tightening up the actuator sounds good to me, now i just have to get ahold of the time and a welder.

I am new to the dodge turbo's but from what I know from working on cars in the past it could also be caused by a faulty boost control solinoid. Just make your own Manual boost control for like 8 bucks and see if that does the trick. I am prob. way off but I hope that helps.