1974 FJ40 Pull Knobs - Help

[garykaifong]

Dear all,

I've just got a 1974 FJ40. There are some pull knobs on the instrument panel that I'm not too sure what they are, mainly due to lack of user manual and the fact that I'm not even sure if they are properly working. Here are the pulls in order of their position:

1. Warm Pull - I assume it's for heat? Do I need to pull the Fan Pull at the same time to get it work?
2. Fresh Pull - I assume it's for ventilation?
3. Fan Pull - What is this? I don't see any fan outlet?
4. Washer Pull - This one is straight forward.
5. A Pull with a square-clock mark (I guess so as the marking is not clear at all) - I have absolutely no idea what this is?

Can anyone please kindly help me with these knobs and explain what they do and how they work?

Many thanks in advance.

Gary

 

[bikersmurf]

1. Warm Pull - Temperature control. Hot out... Cold in.
2. Fresh Pull - Fresh... Recirulated air source.
3. Fan Pull - Fan speed. High... Low... Off.
4. Washer Pull - This one is straight forward... Correct... High... Low... Off.
5. A Pull with a square-clock mark (I guess so as the marking is not clear at all)... Choke...? Pics or location?

 

[bikersmurf]

This thread has dash pictures, and may help also...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/473477-dash-configuration-reference.html


Post #30... Square=Choke.

 

[garykaifong]

Here you go the picture. If it's a choke, what is it for and how to use it properly? Many thanks in advance. Gary

 

[garykaifong]

1. Warm Pull - Temperature control. Hot out... Cold in.
2. Fresh Pull - Fresh... Recirulated air source.
3. Fan Pull - Fan speed. High... Low... Off.
4. Washer Pull - This one is straight forward... Correct... High... Low... Off.
5. A Pull with a square-clock mark (I guess so as the marking is not clear at all)... Choke...? Pics or location?

Sorry, can you elaborate a bit more re the Fan Pull? Is it used to cool the engine or for cooling the car cabinet? And for the Warm Pull, do I have to use it together with the Fan Pull?

Sorry for asking silly questions. I guess I tried to associate these pulls with those in the modern car air conditioning controls, which may not be an appropriate thinking, I guess. Thank once again. Gary

 

[bikersmurf]

It's been a while since I had a stock motor... More or less, pull it out all the way to start when cold... Once it's running push it in part way to lean out the fuel mixture. As it warms up, push it in as soon as you can.

 

[bikersmurf]

Sorry, can you elaborate a bit more re the Fan Pull? Is it used to cool the engine or for cooling the car cabinet? And for the Warm Pull, do I have to use it together with the Fan Pull?

Sorry for asking silly questions. I guess I tried to associate these pulls with those in the modern car air conditioning controls, which may not be an appropriate thinking, I guess. Thank once again. Gary

Yes, it's for the heater fan. And yes, you need to use it with the warm pull.

 

[SD_rdcruzer]

Looks to be an aftermarket heater assembly, so the fan and warm knobs could be disconnected

 

[garykaifong]

It's been a while since I had a stock motor... More or less, pull it out all the way to start when cold... Once it's running push it in part way to lean out the fuel mixture. As it warms up, push it in as soon as you can.

I sometimes have difficulty in starting the motor, but it isn't cold at all here in Hong Kong even in winter time (may be 10C more or less). So do I need to use the choke and how do I know it's working normally? Some parts do not work on my FJ40, e.g. the cruise control, etc., and thus I'd like to know if it works.

 

[garykaifong]

Looks to be an aftermarket heater assembly, so the fan and warm knobs could be disconnected

That's an after-market air conditioning that I installed after I got the FJ40. Frankly, I need an air conditioning more than a heater here in Hong Kong.

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Hello Gary, I live in the Philippines where it never gets cold except way up in the mountains. I have to occasionally use my choke with a stock engine although not very often. When you are starting the engine the first time daily just pump the gas pedal a couple of times and try to start the engine. If it does not fire right up then pull your choke knob out and dont pump the gas pedal. Try to start it, if it fires right up push the choke knob all the way in and make sure your A/C is off before starting.

Rob

 

[garykaifong]

Thanks Rob. That certainly helps. Many thanks to you and all others. Appreciate all your kind help. Gary

 

[garykaifong]

Rob, by the way you mentioned not to pump gas pedal while having the choke pulled out, may I know what exactly the choke does under the bonnet? I want to understand the mechanics so that I don't do anything stupid. Thanks, Gary

 

[bikersmurf]

The choke blocks off the air supply to the engine. If you pump the gas, you could end up with too much gas and too little air... The mixture doesn't ignite and the engine won't run.

 

[garykaifong]

Sorry if I ask stupid question. Why blocking air would help starting the car?

Another question. Sometimes when I turn the ignition key, it just goes "da da da ..." without any normal engine movement. But if I try turning the key slowly, then it goes back to normal with engine movement (be the engine starts or not). May I know under such circumstance, is it choking can help, or it's another issue? I hope I have described things clearly enough ... Sorry for English not being my mother tongue, sometimes it's hard to describe things like this.

 

[bikersmurf]

Don't be concerned, your English is fine.

For the fuel to burn, it needs to be mixed with air in the correct ratio. When the engine is cold, it needs more fuel in the mix of air and fuel. Blocking off the majority of the air (not all) will increase the amount of fuel in the mixture... Which is needed to get the engine running. Once the engine is running, the choke needs to be opened up, since the running engine will need more air than can be supplied with the choke closed. Once it is running you want the engine to run on as lean a mixture (less gas) as is possible to minimize fuel consumption and emmisions.

Just Reread your post, and i think you're refering to something different. The engine running on after it's shut off is referred to "Dieseling on". Ignition timing, fuel mixture and grade of gas can all contribute to this. My stock motor was prone to this now and then. Don't remember exactly how I got it to stop... Tuned it up and it stopped (other than a rare occasion). Have been running a 350 for almost 15 years and I don't have that problem anymore.


If you're referring to the starter making noises and the engine not turning over, it can be caused by a few different things. Firstly, ground connections between the frame, engine, and battery. Secondly, drained or older battery. Thirdly, pitted of corroded contacts in the starter solenoid. Is this more what you mean?

 

[garykaifong]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I think my situation is a mix. Sometimes when I starts the car, it goes "da da da" without any sign of mechanical movement. But then the other time, there will be no "da da da" but with mechanical movement, but just the engine won't start. I have to try repeating the ignition process for 3-4 times before getting the engine starts. Well, sometimes lucky it starts on the 1st attempt.

I got the FJ40 recently and I had it tuned up by my mechanics. The mechanics said because the car has not been running for a long time, it will take some runs before it gets smooth, and if problem persists, they will recheck it for me.

Well, I think it's getting better and better each time I drive it (I only drive on Sat & Sun). So i think I will give it a bit more run-in for the time being.

I will try using the choke next time and see if any improvement. But I really don't think I need to use it as described, given the temperature here in Hong Kong.

 

[hanks40]

My experience is, if your cruiser is siitting a few days between starts, using the choke will help with the starting of the motor. Just pull the knob all the way out before you try to start the motor, then slowly push it back in after the motor starts. It sounds as though you may have a bad connection on your battery. Check your terminals and your ground to body connection. If those are fine you may be having starter problems.

 

[garykaifong]

Thanks Hanks40, that certainly helps. At least I now have a direction to look at. Very much appreciate that. Gary