What does the electtic choke toggle switch actually do different then the choke lever

[andrewbabich]

What does the electric choke toggle switch actually do on these old outboards? I have a 72 johnson and a 78 merc that both have them.

You need to hold the electric choke down and have the choke/ run lever pulled all the way up to start these motors. And they always work pretty good starting with the muffs on.

Sometimes out of the water they get funny if they don't start right away. I'm always trying different combinations of elec choke, full choke and no choke, no electric choke once it does not want to run.

I know they could be flooded so I don't believe choke is the answer, but then sometimes it seems like the electric choke is the magic bullet. I don't really understand it or what to do, when it starts giving me problems.

It seems like waiting 10 minutes for it to air out is the best bet, but I'm not a patient person either.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: What does the electtic choke toggle switch actually do different then the choke l

The johnson has an electric solenoid which (when activated) will close the choke butterflys on the front of the carbs. Usually, you raise the cold-start lever on the control box, to slightly open the carb butterflys, then activate the choke solenoid and crank the engine. When you hear it fire, release the choke switch. Once it is running, you may have to choke it again a couple of times, briefly, till it warms up and runs on it's own. That year solenoid also has a second wire lead to the solenoid. I believe there is additional logic to that choke system, but I've forgotten the exact details. Possible the engine may keep the choke solenoid partially closed till the powerhead warms up to some specific temp-then it is released to the full open (unchoked) position. If this engine has that feature, I'd be inclined to disconnect the second wire-since none of the subsequent/later engines ever were designed with that feature. It may have been problematic during cold-starts.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What does the electtic choke toggle switch actually do different then the choke l

The fast idle lever has nothing to do with choking the engine. It has everything to do with allowing the engine to have a fast idle while starting and warming up. You can't do that with the throttle/shift lever since that would pug the motor in gear.

 

[V153]

Re: What does the electtic choke toggle switch actually do different then the choke l

The fast idle lever has nothing to do with choking the engine. It has everything to do with allowing the engine to have a fast idle while starting and warming up. You can't do that with the throttle/shift lever since that would pug the motor in gear.

Correct! In my case I raise the high idle lever, crank the engine for half a second, then depress the choke. Usually fires right up. Then release the choke. As mentioned if she sputters press the choke again briefly as required til she'll run. As the motor warms up, back down on the high idle til you get it down all the way. Then off you go.

 

[charger_1]

Re: What does the electtic choke toggle switch actually do different then the choke l

I am thinking andrew is referring to the choke lever on the motor its self... I have 3 of these motors, and that little lever (push pull style) is merely a "choke off" when pushed in, "choke auto" when in the center position (also allows for the electric choke switch on the dash to operate), and "choke on/manual" when pulled out (for full choke).

If your choke solenoid is working properly using the switch on the dashboard, with the lever in the center position, leave it this way. The other two positions are for over-riding the system in case of electrical short or open failures. The center position also allows the temperature sensor to control the choke. As emdsapmgr suggested, you can cut that second wire, going to the temp sensor, if that is causing the choke to stay on too long.