1981 Choke Relay Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 50
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From: Apex NC
1981 Choke Relay Question
Hi,
Having choke issues once again on the 81. Choke light is constantly on and choke will not open up. If I unhook the wire from the choke heater and apply voltage, it will open up, so the choke heater appears to be working correctly. According to the Shop Manual, the light will come on when there is no voltage going to the heater. I've checked the fuse and it is fine. I suspect the choke heater relay may be bad but understand that the relay is no longer available. How do I check the relay and what should I do if the relay has gone bad?
Thanks,
Ron
Having choke issues once again on the 81. Choke light is constantly on and choke will not open up. If I unhook the wire from the choke heater and apply voltage, it will open up, so the choke heater appears to be working correctly. According to the Shop Manual, the light will come on when there is no voltage going to the heater. I've checked the fuse and it is fine. I suspect the choke heater relay may be bad but understand that the relay is no longer available. How do I check the relay and what should I do if the relay has gone bad?
Thanks,
Ron
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Waterbury CT.
Are you sure you have a relay? Some early 80's GM cars had the oil pressure switch supplying voltage to the choke. Trace the choke wire back and see what it connects too. It could be an oil pressure switch with two circuts in it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,705
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The 81's did have a choke relay. It is in the center console just behind the shifter plate. As I recall it has a green body. I know that mine would buzz when the fuse was out (extremely anoying).
I think the first thing you need to check is that voltage is getting to the relay. If the relay itself is faulty it shouldn't be too hard to find a good used one. Try fleebay.
I think the first thing you need to check is that voltage is getting to the relay. If the relay itself is faulty it shouldn't be too hard to find a good used one. Try fleebay.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Hi,
Having choke issues once again on the 81. Choke light is constantly on and choke will not open up. If I unhook the wire from the choke heater and apply voltage, it will open up, so the choke heater appears to be working correctly. According to the Shop Manual, the light will come on when there is no voltage going to the heater. I've checked the fuse and it is fine. I suspect the choke heater relay may be bad but understand that the relay is no longer available. How do I check the relay and what should I do if the relay has gone bad?
Thanks,
Ron
Having choke issues once again on the 81. Choke light is constantly on and choke will not open up. If I unhook the wire from the choke heater and apply voltage, it will open up, so the choke heater appears to be working correctly. According to the Shop Manual, the light will come on when there is no voltage going to the heater. I've checked the fuse and it is fine. I suspect the choke heater relay may be bad but understand that the relay is no longer available. How do I check the relay and what should I do if the relay has gone bad?
Thanks,
Ron
I had this issue one other time but it was choke light along with the gen light, and the fix for that was the diode trio in the alternator as I recall. A cheap and easy fix but this past issue was an *** kicker and by shear luck of other failures did I get this resolved.
