Club 80-90 Forums

I am just sorting out the electrics to my new engine (DJ running on a DG Carb) and find it confusing as to where the auto-choke should be wired?
The Haynes diagram shows it wired in with the manifold heater and carb heater whilst the Brooklands (Green) manual shows it wired in with the idle cut-off valve? Unfortunately the manual I downloaded off the net only shows injection models!
I have a photo of a friend"s engine (DG 1986) and his is wired in with the idle cut-off valve! meaning current is going to it all the time the ignition is turned on - or is there a internal switch in the auto-choke?
It would seem logical to switch the power off once the engine is warmed up, and run the wire from the relay that works the manifold heater etc. Why would VW do it differently? Will it be detrimental to the auto-choke to leave it heating all the time? Is it something to do with the change of cooling system and the temperature when the relay switches off the power? And ideas?

Its wired to the manifold heater and carb heater (de ice)

kevtherev wrote:Its wired to the manifold heater and carb heater (de ice)

Not on my 88 van and not on other late DGs I have looked at.

May be an age thing, i.e wired to heater circuit on earlier vans and wired permanently to ignition on later vans.

What year is your ven Kev?

To answer the question I don't think it matters

Thanks for you answers, but it would be interesting to know if Kev's van has the earlier cooling system (eg. 2 rubber pipes across the front of engine compartment, thermostat under engine at back left). If it has it may be something to do with the positioning of the thermo switch and it's temperature, perhaps?

Kevs is a late cooling system but they made other little changes during the years.
I suspect Kevs is an earlier van than my 88

The haynes has it wired to the temp2 switch.
Makes sense really
My pierburg is wired similarly

You can see it clearly here

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yep I don't doubt that's how yours is but some vans are wired permantly to ignition 12V...like mine

itchyfeet wrote:yep I don't doubt that's how yours is but some vans are wired permantly to ignition 12V...like mine

Yes wrongly if I may add.

Kev - you might want to take a close look at the wiring there ( close to failing by the look of it):

Cheers mate, I did see it but its in pretty good shape.
I will strip the sheath back and solder it

kevtherev wrote:

itchyfeet wrote:yep I don't doubt that's how yours is but some vans are wired permantly to ignition 12V...like mine

Yes wrongly if I may add.

Mine clearly left the factory like this and as said I have seen others.
I suspect VW found a problem in their early wiring design and improved it

Thanks for your help.
I've wired the auto-choke in with the manifold heater, etc. As this seems sensible and is what was on the van before. I used to have the old cooling system but I have changed it to the later system with its wiring changes, so we will see what happens?
If the chokes does not go right off, when warmed up, I will change it be permanently on, but then one wonders why bother with the heat from the water system?

The choke takes 6-8 mins to open fully from fully closed.
The choke can be adjusted to some extent.