How to hook up Idle Solenoid

Guy's I have a 455 with a stock quadrajet, however it is in a 37 Cadillac. I am starting to do the wiring and I can't quite figure out how the idle solenoid works. Do I just run 12 volts to it, or what?

Thanks Rick

 

basically, it operates anytime the ignition is on so just be sure not to "hot-wire" it and it'll work fine.

 

If you are talking about the electrical solenoid for the carb that has one wire going to it, that is for AC cars from late 71 and up. The original set-up was to have the green power wire for the ac clutch to also run to the solenoid. So, when the ac was on and the engine was at normal idle, the solenoid would increase the idle so engine would run smoothly. Basically, you can get an in-line wire tap at Radio Shack or auto part store and run a wire from the solenoid to the tap which will make a union to the green ac clutch power wire. You will set your "ac-on" idle by unscrewing the plunger for the solenoid to your desired idle rpm.

 

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention it's a 73 engine. Since I don't have AC I guess I don't need it.

Thanks Rick

 

I missed out on one of these that was on ebay. The description said the idle stop solenoid was used to prevent the car from idling too low preventing unburned fuel emissions and to stop engine run on or dieseling when the engine was turned off. I have a 73 455 that has this on it. Admittedly, most people discarded or bypassed this when it stopped working properly. My car is bone stock and has no A/C.

 

I believe on my stick car the idle is raised in 3rd and 4th gear (not sure on 1st/2nd). When you push the clutch in and pull it out of gear, you can hear the gas pedal flop and the idle lower a bit as the solenoid releases.

 

Some idle solenoids are used to prevent run-on and establish curb idle speed.
With ignition on rotate nut until desired idle is reached. When solenoid deenergises tang should go fully closed and cut fuel to engine. (chevy invention)

 

Ken,
I believe you are right about the higher idle in 3rd and 4th gear on the manual trans. cars. I can't remember where I read this or the reason why. I believe it was to prevent backfiring when de-accelerating?? I either read it on this board or in the service manual.

 

Who knew that little doo hickey did all that? In my 73 manual the standard trans solenoid is mounted in a different location and is called something else but it looks the same.

 

There was a conversion kit available from the dealer for '71 cars that came equipped with a dashpot. In '72 they were installed on all the cars.
Power is sourced from the ignition switch & to the engine bay with a pink wire. This pink feeds one side of the TCS and continues with an adapter harness to provide power to the idle solenoid. Once the trans. is/was in third, the TCS is energized & changes vacuum to the distributor.The idle solenoid stays energized at all times, while ignition switch is on. This looks like it would satisfy the idle issues with an AC car.
I found a beat up old adapter harness in CA. last year. Bought it & copied it for use in my car. Verified it with Factory Fit/American Auto Wire.
Very easy job to duplicate it.
I can try to post a pic of the harness if anyone is interested.