Aaron R.

My 1985 5.0 Camaro came with a Holley carb. It always idles much too high, 1500-2000 rpms no matter if the engine is hot or cold. I think the choke is staying on all the time. If I stomp the gas pedal and let off real quick the idle will come down to about 1000. If I press the red choke lever down (see pic) it idles right down to 600-700 and purrs very smoothly. As soon as I use the gas pedal though the choke immediately reactivates the fast idle.

I don't know much about carbs. I assume this one has an electric choke, but it seems to be missing a wire (pic), possibly to a temp sensor?

My question is, how can I fix this?

TPI LandCruiser

the terminal in the picture needs a hot (+) wire going to it that only has power when the ignition is on and engine is running. this will allow the metal band in the choke to heat and expand thus lowering your idle speed. check out holleys web site for instructions on how to instal an electric choke, there should be a PDF file you can downlaod. good luck!

oh and i should add, dont run constant power to it. it must be a keyed source or you will burn up the metal band in the choke. when the engine is running air is drawn in through a small port to keep it cool.

Aaron R.

I found the choke wire under the hood and hooked it up to the choke. Now the choke light is on and the choke still does not deactivate with engine hot. I am assuming the choke may be worn out. Is there any way to test the choke or should I just buy a new one?

igotta355z28

iTrader: (1)

get a wire and either hook it to a switched source on the ignition or hook it to a switch that u can turn on an off, dont use the stock one....
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i have mine running to a switch inside when i start the car i turn on the switch it has to have 12v to open and keep the choke open....i recomend giving it power from a ignition switch source so u dont forget and leave it on and burn it up like mentioned above.

TPI LandCruiser

its possible the choke is shot, was this a new or used carb ? and you can adjust the setting on it also, it may be miss adjusted. did you check to make sure the choke wire you hooked up has 12 volts ? could be ground wire maybe, i dont know the vehicle you have i am just into holley carbs. did you go to www.holley.com and look for instructions ? and if you need a new choke solenoid look on ebay for holley electric choke solenoid, i found one for about 12 bucks new and it worked perfect.

oh and as far as checking the choke does it close the choke plate in the carb when the engine is cold and you push the throttle peddle down once, it should. you could mess with the setting by loosening the three screws that hold the plastic housing that the wires hook to on the choke, but dont forget were it is set now. count the noches on the casting verses the one noch on the housing. turn the plastic housing one way or the other to adjust the choke. if i remember correctly clockwise is more choke and counter clockwise is less. also the choke RPM is adjusted by a little 1/4 inch bolt under/behind the choke housing next to the little red cam lever on the choke. you should check holleys site for more info and look in the FAQ section too. good luck with it.