i have a sensor going into one of my power steering lines, what is its purpose and do i need it? if i dont need it then the wiring for it is going bye byes.

 

I think it's a pressure sensor. It tells the ECM to up the idle speed when you turn the steering wheel and the PS pump starts to load the engine.

 

so if i unplug it it wont harm anything.

 

It may not 'harm' anything but if the ecm is using the signal then it can't do it's job as well as it could.

 

That's a "Power Steering Cut-out" switch.

It was only used on V6 cars & it's NOT connected to the ECM in any way. It will 'open' to shut off the AC compressor. The shop manual says that "This relieves the engine of excess load when the power steering requires maximum power."

If you don't have AC after converting to a V8 - you don't need it.

 

my car is a factory z28 not a v6. the only swap its had was from 305-350. good to know i can unplug it and add it to my list of wires that arent necessary.

do the sensors for the guages run through the computer i forgot?

 

When I checked into that switch I was reading thru an 84 shop manual and only found the switch lsited for V6 cars. After I read your message I looked at the only 86 manual I've got ( for a Firebird ) and saw that it was used on some V8 cars too. I learned somethin' new today !!

Your gauges do not run thru the computer. About as close as it gets is that the ECM does get a signal for vehicle speed in order to help control the trany 'lock-up" for automatics. The rest of the gauges are controlled by sensors on the engine.

 

ahaaa, how about the electric choke and stuff on my carb, somehow its hooked to the stock harness and works, as for the electric choke i thought i just needed to take a ground to a ground and the positive to ignition power.

 

The electric choke wire runs from the factory Engine harness IIRC, so it should get 12 volts when the key is turned to "RUN". & Yes,.. ground for the choke is as simple as grounding it metal somewhere.

Sounds like your well on your way !

 

im not stupid at wiring i just like to cover my basis when its a running vehicle thats already been tampered with, id like to keep it running, make it look and run better than it did before and if that means covering a few basis over and over then im fine with that. now run is when the key is all the way forward, swear to god im drawing a blank on that and i dont know why lol. ive felt stupid all day.

 

"technically speaking" START is 'all the way forward' and RUN is where the key returns to when it is released from the START position.

Going over-&-over things isn't a bad thing and the only stupid question is the one you DON'T ask !!!

 

why would i want that wire to on? just so the choke is electrically open while the vehicle is on and then the linkages or whatever move it however much it needs while driving?