canister purge solenoid

Where the heck is the canister purge solenoid located for a 96 4.3 blazer....thanks in advance..

According to the Haynes manual it is located in the quarter panel area behind the left rear wheel.

I am not sure of the proper names but I believe the purge solenoid is located on the intake manifold on the engine. The vent solenoid is mounted up near the top of the gas tank by the rear differential. That at least is how it is on my 1996 2dr 4x4 Blazer. You are talking about the EVAP system, basically gasoline will evaporate into the air, thats what EVAP stands for. For emmissions the Federal government doeas not want gas vapors going into our atmosphere, they want the fuel system sealed. When the cars computer runs a test it will close the vent solenoid, which vents the charcoal canister, open the purge solenoid which is on the intake manifold and a vacuum will draw on the system and be monitored by the pressure sensor on the gas tank. If the gas cap is off or losse, vacuum cannot build up and the system will fail for large leak. Once vacuum builds up the purge solenoid will close and the system watches the pressure sensor, if there is a leak the vacuum will bleed off and the pressure sensors voltage will change and set a code for small leak. If the system stays stable it will pass. if you need pictures of what the valves look like let me know.

well it looks like I'll be taking a peak under all that clutter on top of the engine...I was hoping it would be in clear sight but mine isn't. I do have a pic, looked it up on rock auto...thanks guys

You can test them by trying to blow through the ports with them off the vehicle and then apply 12 volts to the connector pins and blow through again. I forget which is which but you should get a change with power and without, one way you will be able to get air to pass through and one way it will not. My purge valve was on the intake manifold about the middle on the passenger side. The tubing going to it will have a test port with a label on it and one electrical connector. I think it was held into the manifold with 2 10mm bolts. What makes you think its bad ? are you getting a check engine light ? Mine was throughing a code I forget the number but was a general EVAP system inoperable. My vent valve was bad. If you hear a loud whoosssh of air when opening the gas cap at fill ups it maybe the vent valve.