Guest Ansis42 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 [TABLE=width: 100%]<tbody>[TR][TD=width: 100%]Hello all, I am working on replacing the head gaskets on my old 1980 Buick. While on this adventure, I stumbled upon a curious little black button. This button is attached to a bracket, which is mounted on top of the intake manifold. I've attached a picture of this button. Anybody know what this button does (and don't tell me to "push it and find out", smart-asses). It is a 1980 Buick Lesabre, with the Pontiac-built 4.9L 301 cubic inch engine. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks![/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Does not look like anything that I have seen on a factory vehicle. Might be some sort of aftermarket product like a theft deterrent ???? Just guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WEB 38 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Does not look like anything that I have seen on a factory vehicle. Might be some sort of aftermarket product like a theft deterrent ???? Just guessing.Maybe its for when you fall down and cant get up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansis42 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Haha like Life Alert? There's no theft-deterrent hardware on the inside of the car. Edited January 7, 2014 by Ansis42 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 more than likely, it is a transmission related switch, like a kickdown switch. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 more than likely, it is a transmission related switch, like a kickdown switch. charles coker, 1953 pontiac tech advisor.Not in the 1980 models. None of the transmissions offered in the LeSabre that year behind the 301 used an electric kickdown (the TH200 used a cable-actuated throttle valve and the TH350 used a cable-actuated kickdown). A better photo would help. The connector appears to be a Packard 56 series connector, so it looks like a factory installation, but I've never seen an underhood pushbutton since the ill-fated federally-mandated seat belt interlocks in 1974-75 (there was a one-time defeat pushbutton under the hood on those cars). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansis42 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Not in the 1980 models. None of the transmissions offered in the LeSabre that year behind the 301 used an electric kickdown (the TH200 used a cable-actuated throttle valve and the TH350 used a cable-actuated kickdown). A better photo would help. The connector appears to be a Packard 56 series connector, so it looks like a factory installation, but I've never seen an underhood pushbutton since the ill-fated federally-mandated seat belt interlocks in 1974-75 (there was a one-time defeat pushbutton under the hood on those cars).Well, I can take another picture for you, but the picture you see literally shows almost everything. It is simply a black button that is attached to a metal bracket, and that bracket is bolted on top of the intake manifold. 2 green wires go into the button (one light, one dark). I haven't traced the wires yet, but I can certainly try that and see where they lead. I'll try to get a close-up of the button for any text or codes that may be on it. Edited January 7, 2014 by Ansis42 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 It is likely a throttle actuated microswitch and likely actuated at idle. I haven't tried to research it on a wiring diagram but the light green and dark green wires are a clue also. I will bet it is on your schematic. Your carburetor or linkage may not be original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLong Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Could it be some sort of a timing advance-defeat switch so that the timing can be set without a computer moving the timing around? Pretty much just guessing here, but I see a distributor in the background, and no linkage anywhere near the switch. The switch looks like it's meant to be actuated by a person's finger, not by linkage. Most throttle activated switches I'm familiar with have a hinged metal lever over the actuation button of the switch, for both wear resistance and to allow a lot of linkage movement without damaging the fairly fragile microswitch.. Greg L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) Well, I can take another picture for you, but the picture you see literally shows almost everything. It is simply a black button that is attached to a metal bracket, and that bracket is bolted on top of the intake manifold. 2 green wires go into the button (one light, one dark). I haven't traced the wires yet, but I can certainly try that and see where they lead. I'll try to get a close-up of the button for any text or codes that may be on it.Well, for example, where was it installed originally? Was it simply bolted to the intake with the button pointing straight up? Does the bracket even look like something GM built, or does it look aftermarket? Those things cannot be seen in the small photo you posted.Edit: OK, here's another picture of a 301, and it appears to be a throttle actuated A/C compressor cutout switch. The throttle arm on the carb has a lever that sticks out and depresses the button at WOT. The A/C compressor clutch cutout switch deactivates the A/C compressor for slightly more passing power. That pavement-ripping 301 needs all the help it can get... Edited January 8, 2014 by joe_padavano Typo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 By the way, follow that green wire and I guarantee it will end up at the A/C compressor clutch connector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansis42 Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Well, for example, where was it installed originally? Was it simply bolted to the intake with the button pointing straight up? Does the bracket even look like something GM built, or does it look aftermarket? Those things cannot be seen in the small photo you posted.Edit: OK, here's another picture of a 301, and it appears to be a of throttle actuated A/C compressor cutout switch. The throttle arm on the carb has a lever that sticks out and depresses the button at WOT. The A/C compressor clutch cutout switch deactivates the A/C compressor for slightly more passing power. That pavement-ripping 301 needs all the help it can get...[ATTACH=CONFIG]229633[/ATTACH]You're a genius! I normally try to find answers on my own, but sometimes asking someone with a little more knowledge is MUCH more helpful than Google. I appreciate the insight. This switch might be useful if my A/C actually worked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 You're a genius! I normally try to find answers on my own, but sometimes asking someone with a little more knowledge is MUCH more helpful than Google. I appreciate the insight. This switch might be useful if my A/C actually worked Please tell this to my ex-wives... :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Does it have aftermarket A/C? I do not ever remember seeing that on an original car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Larry, I think that some cars used a vacuum operated cutout switch for the a/c instead of carb mounted electrical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Does it have aftermarket A/C? I do not ever remember seeing that on an original car...The OEM carb throttle lever has an extension that exactly presses on the button at W.O.T., so I'm thinking it's factory. Oldsmobile used a similar W.O.T. cutout switch, but Olds mounted it on the accelerator pedal under the dash instead of on the intake manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 didn't the th200 have a lock up torque converter ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I was a Buick service rep in the early 80's and looked a lot of Buicks and I never remember seeing one of those on a car... I do not think it is factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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