Idle Control Solenoid

[WayneShotts]

Does anyone have pictures of the Idle control solenoid that was installed on air conditioned cars that would bump the idle up when the A/C was engaged… I know what it looks like just never seen one on a car.

[David Robertson NZ]

How's this?

[Alan H. Tast]

1961 only

[WayneShotts]

Interesting… Thank you for the picture. My 61 definitely had one at one time. The wiring is laying on the manifold and taped up. Just out of curiosity, where does the vacuum line plum to after it leaves the back of the Solenoid…

[Rusty57]

Interesting valve. The solenoid itself does not increase the idle speed. The solenoid opens an air valve so engine vacuum can act on the diaphragm to pull the rod to open the throttle slightly.

My best guess is that there was a line connected to a port below the throttle plates that someone has plugged . That port would always be exposed to engine vacuum.

You will also want to check the wiring to make sure you get a 12 volt signal when the AC is on.

[David Robertson NZ]

Page 56 of the Electrical Assembly Manual shows the solenoid feed comes from a T joint in the tube leading to the transmission modulator.

[tpolidori]

Hi guys, man I've been looking all over for a pic of this idle solenoid. I'm trying to restore the factory a/c on my '62 convertible and the idle control is missing, and the black/white and brown wires were cut. Do you know if this setup is the same for '62? Can the system run without the idle control if I can't source one? I guess the wires could be shorted to get the system to run, but I assume the engine would cut-out/drop rpm every time the compressor engaged without the idle control?

[Alan H. Tast]

61 only. 62-63 had idle control moved to inside under dash. Apparently the 62 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual shows the '61-style system, which was not installed in regular production that I'm aware of. You'll need to look into the '62 T-bird Shop Manual, part 10-3 Air Conditioning, for information related to the wiring schematics and operation of the fast idle switch (see my post further down).

[claybreaker 144]

61 only. 62-63 had idle control moved to inside under dash. Suggest you get reproduction of 62 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual to see how system went together.

Fast Idle Device 62 Electric Assembly Manual shown on page 64 or Sheet 11 of 11 Drawing Page E2-4720-11. Shown on carb, when it moved under the dash how did it function?

[Alan H. Tast]

61 only. 62-63 had idle control moved to inside under dash. Suggest you get reproduction of 62 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual to see how system went together.

Fast Idle Device 62 Electric Assembly Manual shown on page 64 or Sheet 11 of 11 Drawing Page E2-4720-11. Shown on carb, when it moved under the dash how did it function?

For some reason the system is having issues with my response. See my next post.

[Alan H. Tast]

61 only. 62-63 had idle control moved to inside under dash. Suggest you get reproduction of 62 Tbird Electrical Assembly Manual to see how system went together.

Fast Idle Device 62 Electric Assembly Manual shown on page 64 or Sheet 11 of 11 Drawing Page E2-4720-11. Shown on carb, when it moved under the dash how did it function?

I hate to tell you this, but that's the same diagram that was in the '61 Electrical Assembly Manual. In fact, the sheet is dated 7/5/61 and replaced a sheet issued 4/20/61. I've never seen a '62 that had the switch installed at the carburetor/throttle linkage - I suspect that this page didn't get updated. The fast idle control system was re-engineered for 1962-1963 - you may find illustrations of it in the '63 version of the Electrical Assembly Manual.

Where you need to go to is the '62 T-bird Shop Manual, Part 10-3 - Air Conditioning (if you don't have a copy of it, get one NOW!). On page 10-22 it shows a photo of the Fast Idle Switch (also referred to as the Fast Idle Solenoid) mounted to the face of AC plenum, along with adjustment instructions given in the text on that page.

This is a schematic of the A/C system - look at the lower right corner for the Fast Idle Solenoid:

It's linked in with the Thermostatic Switch, which is controlled by the cable coming from the lever in the center of the A/C register panel.

62 Shop Manual Pt 10-3 AC p 10-19 - Fig 6 - Control Panel.jpg (22.5 KiB) Viewed 124 times

Instructions for adjusting the Thermostatic Switch and Fast Idle Switch.

62 Shop Manual Pt 10-3 AC p 10-22 - Thermostatic Switch Adjustment.jpg (22.27 KiB) Viewed 124 times

Note the insert photo shows the back side of the Thermostatic Switch cable adjustment and the Fast Idle Switch adjustment.

The heater control panel/head controls the vacuum motors that open and close damper doors in the system.

I cannot stress enough that if you don't already have a copy of the '62 Shop Manual and '63 supplement, get them for your library and for your mechanic's use NOW!