Carburetors Carb discussion and questions. Upgrading your Third Gen's carburetor, swapping TBI to carburetor, or TPI to carburetor? Need LG4 or H.O. info? Post it here.

Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-07-2020, 09:38 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
 
bubbaz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 5-speed
Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

So I have the old "Choke light stays on" issue. '83 Z28 LG4, stock Rochester E4ME carb.

Choke plate doesn't want to stay open even when warmed up, and car idles high, around 1500-1800 rpm... Sometimes when I manually hold the plate all the way open and goose the throttle the plate will stay open and the idle will kick down... but other times the dang choke closes a little and the idle stays high. Worst part is if I shut the engine off while it's idling high, she diesels BADLY.

I checked the alternator: Battery has 12.7V with car off. 14.15V with car running. 14.2V car running and lights on. Gages fuse and C/H fuse are good. With the choke wire disconnected (please see picture) meter is reading 14V... however, when wire is connected to the thermostat tab, I only get about 2.58V. at the tab. So I guess the thermostat is probably the culprit?

I would just like to be relatively certain that I am replacing the right part... thanks for your input.

Last edited by bubbaz28; 04-08-2020 at 10:42 AM.
Old 04-12-2020, 03:04 AM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
SCOODY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 67
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: Z28 / 1984
Engine: 5L
Transmission: Auto
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

He he as we are trying to solve the same trouble , seams the relay in convenience center is bad . For me it was removed by precedent owner !!!
The following users liked this post:
bubbaz28 (04-14-2020)
Old 04-13-2020, 02:02 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
sofakingdom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,089
Received 1,679 Likes on 1,275 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Yes it sounds like you are.

Bubba, you probably need a new relay. Scoody's car had been "improved" by a previous owner, who just left it out for some random reason.
Old 04-14-2020, 05:50 PM
  #4  
Member

Thread Starter
 
bubbaz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 5-speed
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
Yes it sounds like you are.

Bubba, you probably need a new relay. Scoody's car had been "improved" by a previous owner, who just left it out for some random reason.
Sofakingdom, I went back and read one of your replies to "Scoody" more carefully... with the new choke coil, I lined up the notch on the coil to the center mark of the bowl... take a look at the photo if you will...
Car started right up, but still idled high and choke light was still on. Ugh. SOMETIMES when I manually hold the choke plate open and hit the throttle, idle will kick down and the choke light will actually go off!

I have ordered a new C/H relay endwise that connects to the choke coil. We will see on Fri.when I get those parts.

Old 04-17-2020, 06:07 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
SCOODY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 67
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: Z28 / 1984
Engine: 5L
Transmission: Auto
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

hi, my relay cames from rockauto : https://www.rockauto.com/?carcode=1035492&parttype=3016
Old 04-17-2020, 07:37 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
sofakingdom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,089
Received 1,679 Likes on 1,275 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

The line-up of the notch is kind of the starting point for adjustment; may or may not be "right" but should be close. The choke blade should close completely at about 70° with no tension, and tension should increase as it gets colder. Adjust it to that point, should already be somewhat close, and see if that makes it operate any better.

You didn't put on a gasket under the thermostat, did you? There should NOT be one. If you did, take it out. The metallic surface around the edge of the thermostat needs to make contact with the bowl to ground it; and the bowl itself needs to be grounded. You can try grounding it with an alligator clip lead and see if that has any effect.
Old 04-26-2020, 08:22 PM
  #7  
Member

Thread Starter
 
bubbaz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 5-speed
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Originally Posted by sofakingdom
The line-up of the notch is kind of the starting point for adjustment; may or may not be "right" but should be close. The choke blade should close completely at about 70° with no tension, and tension should increase as it gets colder. Adjust it to that point, should already be somewhat close, and see if that makes it operate any better.

You didn't put on a gasket under the thermostat, did you? There should NOT be one. If you did, take it out. The metallic surface around the edge of the thermostat needs to make contact with the bowl to ground it; and the bowl itself needs to be grounded. You can try grounding it with an alligator clip lead and see if that has any effect.
Thank You very much again Sofakingdom! I replaced the C/H relay and the connector to the choke heater coil, as part of the connector was broken. Problem seems to be solved!
From a cold start it takes several seconds to start, and when first started idle seems slightly high (around 2000 rpm), but it kicks down easily and THE CHOKE LIGHT GOES OFF! BTW I did not have a gasket under the thermostat, but thanks for mentioning that tip.
On to the next problem...
Old 04-27-2020, 01:06 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
SCOODY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 67
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: Z28 / 1984
Engine: 5L
Transmission: Auto
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Originally Posted by bubbaz28
Thank You very much again Sofakingdom! I but it kicks down easily and THE CHOKE LIGHT GOES OFF! BTW.
Hi, does it means your Choke light stays on , until you kick down accelerator to lower the rpm ?

Thanks
Old 04-28-2020, 09:31 PM
  #9  
Member

Thread Starter
 
bubbaz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 5-speed
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

Originally Posted by SCOODY
Hi, does it means your Choke light stays on , until you kick down accelerator to lower the rpm ?

Thanks
Hello! The choke light goes off when I start the car. It no longer stays on when the engine is running.

Were you able to resolve your choke problems? I hope so.
Old 05-01-2020, 11:29 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
SCOODY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 67
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: Z28 / 1984
Engine: 5L
Transmission: Auto
Re: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?

hi, why the grat help of @sofakingdom , i think it's better than ever. I have just the rpm to lower and to see if it the thermostat succeed to close back the blade.
I will check next days
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ce84q8
Carburetors
2
02-10-2016 07:37 PM
Philly89Iroc
Carburetors
8
07-19-2010 11:34 PM
basiccamaro
Tech / General Engine
5
11-08-2009 08:03 PM
camarov
Carburetors
2
11-07-2007 11:12 AM
Ryan2112
Carburetors
4
08-25-2007 05:30 PM



Quick Reply: Do I have a choke thermostat problem?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:29 AM.