Removing TAB and TAD solenoids properly...

Insane3D said:

In my quest for a cleaner engine bay, I've been thinking about how I could remove the TAD and TAD solenoids from the passenger side strut tower. I have completely removed the rest of the thermactor system...air pump is gone, X305's are plugged, and I'm running a Bassani O/R X. I know you can just pull them and deal with the CEL/codes, but I was curious if there was a way to fool the computer to make it think all is well, and not throw codes.

I could use the space for mounting my coil...

So, anyone done this? I'm comfortable with soldering/wiring... This car is my daily driver, so I want to do it right.

Click to expand...

Use an Ohmmeter to measure the resistance of the TAD solenoids. Then go to Radio Shack and buy a pair of 1/4 watt (very small) or 1/2 watt (small) resistors that are the same resistance (within 10%) as the TAD solenoids. Get some heat shrink and some crimp on tap terminals too. Or you can use the Ford connector pin Kit from AutoZone.

18 gauge crimp on taps Catalog #: 64-3053


Put the resistor inside the heat shrink tubing and crimp the connectors on. I would choose the Ford pin connectors since they should plug in the TAD wiring. That way you haven't modified the wiring so it is easy to re-install the TAD solenoids if emissions testing comes to your area.

This isn't a guaranteed fix, but it is cheap enough (less than $10) that you can experiment with it.