and yet another question from me - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 11:26 AM

Currently on my truck I have a quadrajet (rochester) with an electric choke that I have no idea where to plug it in at.....
On tuesday I am gettin my Edelbrock carb with an electric choke.... and I have no idea where it is supposed to be hooked up at....
Anything will help... thanks

Mike76251 · 10-05-2003, 12:16 PM

If I remember right that choke wire is a key-on 12 volt line.
It heats the choke coil to keep your choke from being on all the time.

phantom dually · 10-05-2003, 12:17 PM

Correct run it to a switched 12v source and it will be fine.

**swervin ervin** · 10-05-2003, 12:44 PM

The power for the choke comes from a wire which is hooked to the oil pressure switch. You should have a oil pressure sending unit and a switch. The switch is the two pronged one.

Frank-id · 10-05-2003, 01:08 PM

Wiring for an electric choke should be done carefully. Connecting additional electrical loads on the ignition system is not a great idea. To easily wire any electric load, use a small cube relay. The relay may be controlled by the ignition wire connected to engine coil. The relay is a small electric load. The power for choke thru relay should come from a seperate fuse and battery source. A 10 amp fuse will be correct for the electric choke.. Use a stranded wire size of at least 16 gage.

Mike76251 · 10-05-2003, 01:15 PM

What Frank-id said is probably a good idea because choke heaters pull quite a load.

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 02:36 PM

Thanks guys for so much info....
Is that all I need to know?
Where would I get that relay from?
Is it on my truck already? I think I saw one on my firewall....
Or do I go to my local auto parts store and get the wire and fuse and relay?

Thanks again for the help!!

Frank-id · 10-05-2003, 05:55 PM

The relay may be procured at many many places. I'm poor and get most parts at the salvage places. The best relays are from an electrical company named Bosche and made in Germany. These relays are found in all european cars and trucks , especially VW. Vdub has the good relays. At a salvage place the relays are about a buck, however the relays can be gotten at Radio Shack $6.95 or a big rig truck shop for just $9.95. Many stereo shops also sell for about $4.95. There are many many choises. Oh yeah, Ebay often has relays for $2.50 each in lots of 10. The inline fuse is at all the places noted.
There are also several relay rated amps and switching configuration as single pole or double pole. Single pole will work on choke nicely. The amps ratings are usually 30 or 40 amps at 12 volts.....

*1FaastC10* · 10-05-2003, 06:40 PM

frank, whats with the pic

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1FaastC10
frank, whats with the pic

What the?????

bpmcgee · 10-05-2003, 08:38 PM

Early in this chain, Swervin made a point which was overlooked --

The choke is often hooked the the OIL PRESSURE switch. This prevents a key-on no-start condition from warming up your choke and making things REALLY hard to start.

That is, of course, if your vehicle is older than about '74 and has an electic oil pressure guage.

Brian

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bpmcgee
Early in this chain, Swervin made a point which was overlooked --

The choke is often hooked the the OIL PRESSURE switch. This prevents a key-on no-start condition from warming up your choke and making things REALLY hard to start.

That is, of course, if your vehicle is older than about '74 and has an electic oil pressure guage.

Brian

The truck is a 1979 Chevy Longbed with a 350ci....
Where would I find the "OIL PRESSURE switch"?

Thanks

bpmcgee · 10-05-2003, 08:57 PM

It will be low on the drivers side rear of the engine, just above the oil filter.

Brian

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 09:01 PM

Thanks Brian!!!

And thanks to everyone that gave me a little insight!!!

**swervin ervin** · 10-05-2003, 09:16 PM

Brian,

you noticed that too?

If your truck originally came with an electric choke, it will have a OP switch and a OP sending unit. The sending unit will have one prong which goes to the gauge. The switch is made specifically for the choke. 12 volts goes to the switch and if the engine has oil pressure, it lets the 12 volts go out the other side to the choke. As Brian said, it is so the choke won't heat up with the engine not running.

My 85 has both of them beside the distributor in a brass tee. You could have one or both there. Or you could have the switch above the oil filter and the sending unit beside the distributor. If you don't happen to have a switch, it's easy enough to buy one at Advance or somewhere and add it. This is the proper way to hook up the electric choke.

I have no idea where the relay idea came from. It's not needed at all.

Mike

Frank-id · 10-05-2003, 09:24 PM

Some one said.........what is with the pic??
this pic came from a national magazine called great pics. I like it very much. What are the odds of being able to feed a bluebird a cracker from your hand.... Just another look at some else's life.

The electric choke ..... I have some 40 years of being a mechanic among other challenges. Connecting the electric choke to an oil pressure switch is not a great idea. In big rigs, the alternator is controlled by an oil pressure switch to allow the engine to warm toward operating temps before the engine is loaded up with a high amp output. The wiring thru the oil switch was not long lasting and made the choke stay on longer with no engine starting gain. The electric choke mechanical adjustments are unique to the area the engine lives. Here in Idaho, the settings are different than Alabama.Every climatic area has it's own set of adjustments to maximize economy and performance.

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 09:25 PM

And in response to you Mike...

My truck came with the electric choke...
But it wasnt hooked up...
I knew it was always there, but never found out
where it was supposed to go or how....
Untill I came here!!

Thanks for your time....

79Chevypickup · 10-05-2003, 09:30 PM

Alright now I am REALLY confused....

Frank-id · 10-05-2003, 11:41 PM

Every one who does anything has an opinion. Many ideas are learned thru a history at doing some task and others adopt what another may say. Also involved with decisions is whether to improve a situation or just make it work. My back ground is such that I strive to make any finished job better if possible than found. Most decisions of large companies are based on the dollar. A relay is not absolutely required for an electric choke, but it is a far better method. Even the aircraft world must make some decisions based on the dollar. I guess the only place decisions are not mostly based of money is.......space and weapons. I change lots of wiring, mechanics and ideas trying to have a better.....truck, house,rv,bus,or Vette.
Yep, I'm an old guy, but wisdom just doesn't walk up, ya gotta make lots of mistakes. I'm past the ego and macho thing. I'd like to share some mechanical stuff that worked out good. If the pics annoy you, please look away.

**swervin ervin** · 10-06-2003, 12:58 AM

I didn't adopt this. It's the way they are from the factory. It's the way my 85 was and is. It works great and always has.

I say do whatever you want to do, but this is the way it is supposed to be.

78SilveradoSWB · 10-06-2003, 03:15 AM

Somebody wired my electric choke to the fuse block switched power. I guess by all the previous discussions is not the correct way, right?

Mike76251 · 10-06-2003, 03:27 AM

Darn Frank-id..............that is a REAL engine
and the low-boy is overloaded, but who cares!

Oh yeah......the choke thingy,
What I would do....
Find a 12v line under the hood that gets power when the engine cranks,
This line I would hook to a pole on the (Bosch) relay,
I would take a 12v line from the battery or the junction block on the firewall and feed this to the relay,
I would feed the choke with the 12v out of the relay.
If you did it this way.....the choke heater would only work when the engine was running, like it needs to.
You could include the oil pressure switch like Swervin said......that is how the factory does it.........but it is not 100% necessary.
This said........all the above is my OPINION

10-05-2003, 11:26 AM	#1
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	and yet another question from me Currently on my truck I have a quadrajet (rochester) with an electric choke that I have no idea where to plug it in at..... On tuesday I am gettin my Edelbrock carb with an electric choke.... and I have no idea where it is supposed to be hooked up at.... Anything will help... thanks __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-05-2003, 12:17 PM	#3
phantom dually Project92 SWB stepside Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 4,792	Correct run it to a switched 12v source and it will be fine. __________________ 92 C1500 stepside 496 Stroker Competiton Engineering Ladder bars/QA1 coilovers. Dana 60 rear with 4.10 gear and posi. Bonspeed Palisade 20x12 in rear w/335/30/20 and 20x8.5 front w/245/40/20. 5/8 drop with Belltech springs/DJM spindles/drop shocks. WWS Progress thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140448

10-05-2003, 12:44 PM	#4
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	The power for the choke comes from a wire which is hooked to the oil pressure switch. You should have a oil pressure sending unit and a switch. The switch is the two pronged one. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-05-2003, 01:08 PM	#5
Frank-id Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 73	Wiring for electric choke Wiring for an electric choke should be done carefully. Connecting additional electrical loads on the ignition system is not a great idea. To easily wire any electric load, use a small cube relay. The relay may be controlled by the ignition wire connected to engine coil. The relay is a small electric load. The power for choke thru relay should come from a seperate fuse and battery source. A 10 amp fuse will be correct for the electric choke.. Use a stranded wire size of at least 16 gage. Attached Images __________________ Chevy stepper 400sb 350 turbo

10-05-2003, 02:36 PM	#7
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	THank YoU Thanks guys for so much info.... Is that all I need to know? Where would I get that relay from? Is it on my truck already? I think I saw one on my firewall.... Or do I go to my local auto parts store and get the wire and fuse and relay? Thanks again for the help!! __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-05-2003, 12:16 PM	#2
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	If I remember right that choke wire is a key-on 12 volt line. It heats the choke coil to keep your choke from being on all the time.

10-05-2003, 01:15 PM	#6
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	What Frank-id said is probably a good idea because choke heaters pull quite a load.

10-05-2003, 05:55 PM	#8
Frank-id Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 73	Da relay The relay may be procured at many many places. I'm poor and get most parts at the salvage places. The best relays are from an electrical company named Bosche and made in Germany. These relays are found in all european cars and trucks , especially VW. Vdub has the good relays. At a salvage place the relays are about a buck, however the relays can be gotten at Radio Shack $6.95 or a big rig truck shop for just $9.95. Many stereo shops also sell for about $4.95. There are many many choises. Oh yeah, Ebay often has relays for $2.50 each in lots of 10. The inline fuse is at all the places noted. There are also several relay rated amps and switching configuration as single pole or double pole. Single pole will work on choke nicely. The amps ratings are usually 30 or 40 amps at 12 volts..... Attached Images __________________ Chevy stepper 400sb 350 turbo

10-05-2003, 06:40 PM	#9
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	frank, whats with the pic

10-05-2003, 08:38 PM	#11
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Early in this chain, Swervin made a point which was overlooked -- The choke is often hooked the the OIL PRESSURE switch. This prevents a key-on no-start condition from warming up your choke and making things REALLY hard to start. That is, of course, if your vehicle is older than about '74 and has an electic oil pressure guage. Brian

10-05-2003, 08:57 PM	#13
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	It will be low on the drivers side rear of the engine, just above the oil filter. Brian

10-05-2003, 09:01 PM	#14
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	Thanks Brian!!! And thanks to everyone that gave me a little insight!!! __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-05-2003, 09:16 PM	#15
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Brian, you noticed that too? If your truck originally came with an electric choke, it will have a OP switch and a OP sending unit. The sending unit will have one prong which goes to the gauge. The switch is made specifically for the choke. 12 volts goes to the switch and if the engine has oil pressure, it lets the 12 volts go out the other side to the choke. As Brian said, it is so the choke won't heat up with the engine not running. My 85 has both of them beside the distributor in a brass tee. You could have one or both there. Or you could have the switch above the oil filter and the sending unit beside the distributor. If you don't happen to have a switch, it's easy enough to buy one at Advance or somewhere and add it. This is the proper way to hook up the electric choke. I have no idea where the relay idea came from. It's not needed at all. Mike

10-05-2003, 09:24 PM	#16
Frank-id Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 73	And then Some one said.........what is with the pic?? this pic came from a national magazine called great pics. I like it very much. What are the odds of being able to feed a bluebird a cracker from your hand.... Just another look at some else's life. The electric choke ..... I have some 40 years of being a mechanic among other challenges. Connecting the electric choke to an oil pressure switch is not a great idea. In big rigs, the alternator is controlled by an oil pressure switch to allow the engine to warm toward operating temps before the engine is loaded up with a high amp output. The wiring thru the oil switch was not long lasting and made the choke stay on longer with no engine starting gain. The electric choke mechanical adjustments are unique to the area the engine lives. Here in Idaho, the settings are different than Alabama.Every climatic area has it's own set of adjustments to maximize economy and performance. Attached Images __________________ Chevy stepper 400sb 350 turbo

10-05-2003, 09:25 PM	#17
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	And in response to you Mike... My truck came with the electric choke... But it wasnt hooked up... I knew it was always there, but never found out where it was supposed to go or how.... Untill I came here!! Thanks for your time.... __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E



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10-05-2003, 09:30 PM	#18
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	Alright now I am REALLY confused.... __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

10-05-2003, 11:41 PM	#19
Frank-id Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 73	Mechanical opinions Every one who does anything has an opinion. Many ideas are learned thru a history at doing some task and others adopt what another may say. Also involved with decisions is whether to improve a situation or just make it work. My back ground is such that I strive to make any finished job better if possible than found. Most decisions of large companies are based on the dollar. A relay is not absolutely required for an electric choke, but it is a far better method. Even the aircraft world must make some decisions based on the dollar. I guess the only place decisions are not mostly based of money is.......space and weapons. I change lots of wiring, mechanics and ideas trying to have a better.....truck, house,rv,bus,or Vette. Yep, I'm an old guy, but wisdom just doesn't walk up, ya gotta make lots of mistakes. I'm past the ego and macho thing. I'd like to share some mechanical stuff that worked out good. If the pics annoy you, please look away. Attached Images __________________ Chevy stepper 400sb 350 turbo

10-06-2003, 12:58 AM	#20
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I didn't adopt this. It's the way they are from the factory. It's the way my 85 was and is. It works great and always has. I say do whatever you want to do, but this is the way it is supposed to be. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-06-2003, 03:15 AM	#21
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Somebody wired my electric choke to the fuse block switched power. I guess by all the previous discussions is not the correct way, right? __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

10-06-2003, 03:27 AM	#22
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	Darn Frank-id..............that is a REAL engine and the low-boy is overloaded, but who cares! Oh yeah......the choke thingy, What I would do.... Find a 12v line under the hood that gets power when the engine cranks, This line I would hook to a pole on the (Bosch) relay, I would take a 12v line from the battery or the junction block on the firewall and feed this to the relay, I would feed the choke with the 12v out of the relay. If you did it this way.....the choke heater would only work when the engine was running, like it needs to. You could include the oil pressure switch like Swervin said......that is how the factory does it.........but it is not 100% necessary. This said........all the above is my OPINION

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