Electric Choke not working...

[westjr8]

Hey fellas,
I have an 1984 79hp Mercury, 2 carbs, 3 cylinder. My push to choke isn't working. I tried jumping it from the starter solenoid, just sparks, no choke. I am getting 12volts from the positive battery cable to the lead into the choke, but when I push to choke, it drops down to about 9volts. Electrical is my Achilles heel with any engine system... Does this sound like my choke is bad?
Thanks!

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Electric Choke not working...

Not really familiar with that exact motor but does it use the enrichner with the little black button on top of it? If so then try pushing the button. If that works and you don't hear a click when somebody pushes in the key and you have verified you do have battery voltage going to the enrichner then that would confirm the little solenoid in the enrichner is bad.

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Electric Choke not working...

That is a pretty simple system. The choke solenoid is nothing more than an electro magnet, that magnet has a plunger that gets sucked up inside and therefore pulls a plastic linkage on the choke butterflies. There is usually a plastic knob attached too, it's for manual choking the motor if that solenoid quits.

Remove the front cover and the side bands When looking towards the carbs, it will be up above kind of nestled in an aluminum framework. There is 1 wire attached to it, you should be able to grab that linkage and move it pretty freely with the manual knob to operate the butterflies. Maybe it's jammed. maybe the magnet coil is bad, maybe it's just bound up??

You can easily ohm the coil as well as measure voltage right there. When it operated properly, there will be a very noticable click as the plunger hits bottom in the magnet.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Electric Choke not working...

There is usually a plastic knob attached too, it's for manual choking the motor if that solenoid quits.

That's the little black button I mentioned. BTW, hey Hot Rod. I recognize you from the Tacoma forum.