While changing plugs and wires the other day, I noticed that the Choke Thermostat Coil was disconnected on my E2SE. When I reconnected it, and started the car, the choke light didn't turn off after a minute or two, so I disconnected it again. I should note that it looks as if it's been replaced before, as the coil doesn't look stock, and there were rivet metal shavings on the intake manifold.

After some searching here, and other research, I found that it's supposed to stay on while the choke is engaged.

My first question is how long does that usually take? I'm pretty sure I was overly hasty in re-disconnecting it, I'm just wondering how long I should wait for the light to go off before I start diagnosing other issues.

I already checked the Alternator voltage, and it's good to go, so that's not the issue.

Do the thermostat coils fail regularly? Could it be the preheater?

Any ideas and information would be helpful!

 

Well, I checked the choke pulloff, and it seems to be operating correctly. From a cold start, it pulls the choke closed, and after about 30 seconds it let go.

I reconnected the Choke thermostat, and the light does stay on for more than 30 minutes of driving, but when I stopped to get gas, and restarted the car, it went off.

I'm going to have to play with it a bit tomorrow and see what conditions cause the light to stay on and go off. Since the light was off, there was a LOT less hesitation under heavy acceleration, but there was still some slight hesitation on occasion.

I'm now thinking that the Thermostat coil and the parts underneath it were probably not adjusted correctly when it was replaced. Need to pick up some rivets before I tear it apart.