WOT micro switch - when should it be on?
 

I saw some dialog about this and wondered when does the switch come on? Does my '87 have this switch? How do I check it?

Yes your Carrera has the switch. When the pedal is to the metal (Wide Open Throttle) the throttle cable should depress the switch to allow more fuel enter into the equation. It is common for the cable to have enough slack as to not deppress the switch fully or at all.

According to the factory manuals it should come on after 2/3 of throttle opening if adjusted properly
To clarify Rick's comment the cable does not close the switch, it is directly mounted to the throttle body on the side opposite of the pedal linkage via 2 screws


Todd

OK then....

Here's my dumb question... be kind....

Can you check the operation of this simply by flooring the gas pedal ( while the car is "off", say..placing a brick on the pedal)...and going back to the engine compartment and seeing if the switch contacts change position? ( whichever way it goes...from open-to-close...or close-to-open) ?

Or must the "system" be powered...i.e....must the engine "run" to verify?

---Wil Ferch

Wil

There is no external contact to view. Easiest way to check the operation is to use 2 people.

1) have someone sit in the car, and one person stand at back of car with the car off

2) Have person open throttle, you should hear a click as soon as the throttle comes off of the close position, this it the idle contact opening, as the throttle is opened approx 2/3 you should hear another click, this is the full throttle load contact closing, once the throttle is at the floor check manually at the throttle body to see if you can open the throttle anymore, if you can, adjust the throttle cable and pedal so that at full throttle the linkage is open all the way and no excess tension is on the throttle cable.

You can also do the checking of the throttle switch by yourself in the passenger compartement with a ohm meter at the DME cable as outlined in the service manual

Todd

Check under the pedal if the cable is tight and you can't get WOT....ask me how I know.....

I was able to remove a one inch pice of palstic that limited the gas pedal arc.....gots some free horse power that I did know I had....

Wil,

You don't need to power anything to do the check: just unplug the correct connector and verify resistance with an ohmmeter. The Bentley manual is a great reference.

A brick might work; I just had my girlfriend push the pedal.

/ J

Ok...so there's two things to check for?

1) The switch is "engaged" (second click)

And

2) There is no more slack available in the cable with the throttle linkage is at maximum travel.

Thanks guys...

-- Wil

Does the WOT switch disengage the A/C compressor? If not wouldn't this be a good thing to wire up?

IMO, just because a switch goes click does not mean it is closed. Imagine the duty cycle of these switches, every time you mash the throttle ;)

I recommend going to radio shack and buying a cheap meter with a audible continuity tester. I have an old fluke meter with this, and I stuck two paper clips into the switch contacts, and alligator clipped them to the meter, in "ring" mode.

I then hit the throttle, and could tell exactly when it was opening. It needed minor adjustment due to heavy carpet under the pedal.

Hope this helps,

DMA