My electric choke has been dissconnected and i can't find the connector anywhere. There are 2 cut wires that were cut off close to the choke so i'm wondering if someone deboed my connector and cut the wires. Anybody know how to test it or what color the choke wire that goes on an '86 camaro is?(305 4bbl) one cut wire is black and the other is blk/tan

 

The electric choke wire is light blue.

To test it, there should be zero voltage when the ignition is off, and when the ignition is on and engine not running. When the engine is running, it should be 12 volts.

 

There should be more than zero there with the engine off, it'll still have some power through the choke warning light.

 

Details, details. . .

Okay, it's been awhile since I actually tried it. The voltage you get will depend upon the resistance of the bulb in there.

And, just so you know, I went out to my car to look at the wire, and the terminal broke off of the thermostat. So, now I need a new one - $41.71. If we split the cost, that'll be $20.85 from the originator (I'll eat the extra penny).

 

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

 

On the way to the parts store and home, the wire had been touching the intake manifold, and the choke light was blinking and the choke relay buzzing (when the light was on). I put in the new thermostat, started it up, it didn't seem to be warming up. Checked the wire voltage with engine off, zero. With ignition on and engine not running, 7.5 volts (this was with a digital volt meter). Checked with engine on, 9.5 volts. Hmmm, this isn't looking good. Checked the resistance of the new thermostat, 21 ohms. Old thermostat, 9 ohms. Hmmm, with the higher resistance it must not be warming up sufficiently. Spent the next half hour getting the tab soldered back onto the thermostat securely. Put it back on, started it up. Hmmm, still doesn't come off. Checked voltage with the wire connected and engine running, something like 4 volts. Hmmm, looked at the dash (couldn't see it behind the steering column without sticking your head farther in that it takes to turn the key to start the engine), the choke light is on bright. Hmmm.

Get out the owners manual, choke heater is Fuse #2. Pull out Fuse #2, fried. Put in new 20 amp fuse, start it up, choke light goes off, 13.5 volts at the thermostat (connected), choke starts to open up.

Apparently the difference between not running and running when the fuse was blown was the difference between battery and alternator voltage. Oh, well, always something new to learn.

And I have a spare choke thermostat to forget where I put it when this one dies for good.

 

Somewhat, but since the voltmeter is a considerably higher impedance device than the bulb, the voltage drop across the bulb will be negligable.

 

Crap, A light blue wire? I don't see one of those. But i'm going out now to pull back the wire insulator hopefully i'll have good news in a bit.....

 

No choke wire anywhere....and i looked everywhere. My thermostat is broken....off! and since my husband will pass an entire cow if i spend any more $ on that car right now i guess i'll have to wait. Thank you both for the great info.

 

probably a long time ago my electric choke wire was light blue but now it's just a dirty dark greenish thing with a broken connector that is hanging on for dear life. here's a pic of a 20-yr old electric choke wire - maybe it will help to locate your wire

 

Yea, I was going to say "blue??"
I think mine is green, with a grey connector. Looks like scooter has a white connector.
I forget what wiring loom it's typically in, but probably the one with the wires for the distributor. Try checking one of those bundles for a green wire that does go anywhere, but has power as listed above. You can always snip a choke wire from a JY car, any carbureted GM will have a similar wire and connector.

 

Scooter has a connector with no plastic left on it.

 

Sonix, You are a genius. I grabbed ahold of the right side loom as far back as i could and uncovered.......(drum roll please!)....a dirty, greenish(thanx, scooter) wire with a lt. grey and surprisingly well intact connector. I scraped it a little with my nail. Once upon a time it was lt. blue. Somehow it had slid back through the insulator and out of sight. But, now it is back on. WooHoo!!!!! And my cold idle has cleaned up alot. Everybody!

 

And every once in a blue moon, someone is helped by the advice given on these boards. Glad it was such an easy fix - we deserve one of those "gimme's" once in a while.