elec. choke Q's - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mike Culpepper · 11-25-2003, 12:05 PM

The elec. choke on my '72 isn't working and I was hopefully going to get a chance to look at it in the next few days. I have a quadrajet, and there is one red wire going to a spade connector on the choke body. If I hook up a volt meter, I assume I should be getting power to this red wire in any "key on" position, or is it only when starting? Assuming there is power, to the wire, what would be the next thing to check? ANyone know of any links to sites for troubleshooting electrical chokes?
Mike

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-25-2003, 12:35 PM

Does the choke close or does it not open?

With power to the choke and it still will not open then the choke is bad and will need to be replaced.

The electric part of the choke warms up the bi-metallic spring and causes the choke to open. The spring closes the choke when it is cold.

Jim

tom hand · 11-25-2003, 12:47 PM

You should have power when the key is in the run position...I wouldn't want to have power to it in the acc position. Check it in the morning when it is cold...the choke should be completely closed...this adjusted by the black houseing where the wire plugs in...loosen the screws and turn the houseing till it is completely closed. Now crank the engine...within a few seconds the choke pulloff should open th choke till you have a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap....depending on what runs best...this is adjusted on the pull-off. And when the motor is warm it should be fully open. The electric part turns the choke off...it should have no effect on it setting....The choke on those ussally works best if you press the pettle one time fully to the floor to set it and then crank....sometimes if you push the gas pettle too much it will kick the choke off...Good Luck

Mike Culpepper · 11-25-2003, 01:24 PM

Today is the first real ccol day we've had in Houston, so I haven't even looked at it yet. I will and will get back to ya'll. BTW I typically, put the pedal all the way to the floor, then back off 1/2 way then crank.
Thanks for the info.
Mike

86SILVERADO · 11-25-2003, 08:55 PM

In the A.M when you check it make sure you blip the throttle first and then get out to look to see if it closed the choke. The choke is fully open when you get home after driving and stays that way until you blip the throttle in the morning to let it close.

Mike Culpepper · 12-06-2003, 10:16 AM

Well I finally got a chance to look at the choke. The top "butterfly" closes to about 1/8-3/16 " after pushing the excellerator down. But the rpm's of the engine don't increase. There is 12 v to the wire. Ideas?
Mike

dwaite72lnghrn · 12-06-2003, 01:25 PM

check the black ground wire make sure it is to a good ground. Then when it is cold and the choke is closed look at the drivers side of the carb and make sure the idle screw is on one of the steps of the choke positioner. If it is real cold out it should be on the highest step. If the engine warms up the choke should move the positioner down the steps as it warms up.

11-25-2003, 12:05 PM	#1
Mike Culpepper Red Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Llano... Texas Hill Country Posts: 448	elec. choke Q's The elec. choke on my '72 isn't working and I was hopefully going to get a chance to look at it in the next few days. I have a quadrajet, and there is one red wire going to a spade connector on the choke body. If I hook up a volt meter, I assume I should be getting power to this red wire in any "key on" position, or is it only when starting? Assuming there is power, to the wire, what would be the next thing to check? ANyone know of any links to sites for troubleshooting electrical chokes? Mike __________________ '72 Cheyenne LWB 350/350 "The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." - Catfish Hunter (commenting on why he was not able to pitch another perfect game).

11-25-2003, 12:47 PM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You should have power when the key is in the run position...I wouldn't want to have power to it in the acc position. Check it in the morning when it is cold...the choke should be completely closed...this adjusted by the black houseing where the wire plugs in...loosen the screws and turn the houseing till it is completely closed. Now crank the engine...within a few seconds the choke pulloff should open th choke till you have a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap....depending on what runs best...this is adjusted on the pull-off. And when the motor is warm it should be fully open. The electric part turns the choke off...it should have no effect on it setting....The choke on those ussally works best if you press the pettle one time fully to the floor to set it and then crank....sometimes if you push the gas pettle too much it will kick the choke off...Good Luck __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

11-25-2003, 01:24 PM	#4
Mike Culpepper Red Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Llano... Texas Hill Country Posts: 448	Today is the first real ccol day we've had in Houston, so I haven't even looked at it yet. I will and will get back to ya'll. BTW I typically, put the pedal all the way to the floor, then back off 1/2 way then crank. Thanks for the info. Mike __________________ '72 Cheyenne LWB 350/350 "The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." - Catfish Hunter (commenting on why he was not able to pitch another perfect game).

11-25-2003, 08:55 PM	#5
86SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hills of Western Mass Posts: 626	In the A.M when you check it make sure you blip the throttle first and then get out to look to see if it closed the choke. The choke is fully open when you get home after driving and stays that way until you blip the throttle in the morning to let it close. __________________ 86 Silverado C10 back to 305 power! 67 C30 Dually Dump, with 350 transplant, Rockhauler 05 Duramax 3500 "If at first you don't succeed, try a bigger hammer" Member of the 1-Ton club!

12-06-2003, 10:16 AM	#6
Mike Culpepper Red Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Llano... Texas Hill Country Posts: 448	Well I finally got a chance to look at the choke. The top "butterfly" closes to about 1/8-3/16 " after pushing the excellerator down. But the rpm's of the engine don't increase. There is 12 v to the wire. Ideas? Mike __________________ '72 Cheyenne LWB 350/350 "The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." - Catfish Hunter (commenting on why he was not able to pitch another perfect game).

11-25-2003, 12:35 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Does the choke close or does it not open? With power to the choke and it still will not open then the choke is bad and will need to be replaced. The electric part of the choke warms up the bi-metallic spring and causes the choke to open. The spring closes the choke when it is cold. Jim

12-06-2003, 01:25 PM	#7
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	check the black ground wire make sure it is to a good ground. Then when it is cold and the choke is closed look at the drivers side of the carb and make sure the idle screw is on one of the steps of the choke positioner. If it is real cold out it should be on the highest step. If the engine warms up the choke should move the positioner down the steps as it warms up. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

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