When is the choke light supposed to light on a 78 with the factory gauge package.

[gnvair]

Car was factory equipped with the gauge package. It has a bulb and a socket but it does not light when turning the key on.
I do not have a wiring diagram showing how it is wired on a car with the gauge package. I seem to recall that 81 and later cars had an electric choke and it was incorporated into that circuit along with being part of the oil pressure circuit.
My car only has the large single wire "bell style" sending unit for the oil pressure gauge.
Would someone be so kind and explain the choke light on my 78? I can't find anything in the owner's manual either.

 

[TURNA]

Have you changed the bulb?

 

[oldsmobile joe]

i didn't know a 78 malibu had an electric choke. did you confirm you have an electric choke, is there a wire going to the choke? is your light a "choke" light or is it a "choke/oil" light?

 

[Gonzo1970]

Well, I can only say from my 1986 Grand Prix standpoint..

My choke light works, Ive seen it a handful of times. Strangely, it going into Winter, I haven't seen it in quite some time. I only have seen it when it was warm out. (Ive only owned it since September).

The only other "Different" thing I can think of, is this: I opened the sun visor, and saw the instructions to pump the gas once to start when its cold, and twice when it is really cold.

And I have been doing so.. prior to turning on the key.

That's all I got.. Better than nothing, I guess.

**Edit - My car is completely stock with 50k miles on it. No Mods (YET!) whatsoever.

-Gonz

 

[pagrunt]

If you only have the gauge sender "bell" up behind the distributor that light won't be coming on. You need a warning light switch that is also used with the electric choke circuit. The plug will have a brown (#250, to fuse), dark green/white stripe (#931, to light), light blue (#78, to choke) & will use a two prong switch. I'd say your car originally had/has a hot air choke. All factory electric choke/guage cars will have the light wired in.

 

[gnvair]

Have you changed the bulb?

Yes. I changed the socket too!

 

[gnvair]

i didn't know a 78 malibu had an electric choke. did you confirm you have an electric choke, is there a wire going to the choke? is your light a "choke" light or is it a "choke/oil" light?

No it is bone stock with a hot air choke. The light says "choke"

 

[gnvair]

If you only have the gauge sender "bell" up behind the distributor that light won't be coming on. You need a warning light switch that is also used with the electric choke circuit. The plug will have a brown (#250, to fuse), dark green/white stripe (#931, to light), light blue (#78, to choke) & will use a two prong switch. I'd say your car originally had/has a hot air choke. All factory electric choke/guage cars will have the light wired in.

It has the hot air choke. But I was curious why it had the bulb and socket. I don't have the 78 specific wiring diagram to see how it is wired and if I am missing something.

 

[pagrunt]

Might of been put in on the assembly line or by an PO. I've seen some cars in junk yard with them like that.

 

[gnvair]

Thanks guys. I figured I would ask