84 Silverado wires chewed by rats

[harrishawk]

My 84 Silverado isn't driven much - opened the hood to check if everything was okay.  Found a nest on top of the air cleaner and a chewed wire underneath.  Also found a metal piece that was disconnected - but looks like it has been for awhile because it was rusted.  I've enclosed the 2 pics - was wondering if anyone could tell me what the wire was connected to and what the metal pipe is.  The battery shows some juice and tries to turn over.  Hooked it up to my other car battery and tried to jump it off - but it won't start.  Thanks for any help.

[bmaier]

It looks like that wire hooks right up to that connector there. As for the metal piece it is a little hard to tell from the pick but it looks it might be part of the A.I.R. system, not too sure though.

[harrishawk]

Yeah, I was wondering if anybody knows what that connector is.

[Blazin]

It is the choke. You can get a new choke plug with a pig tail. then just solder or but connect the wires together with some heat shrink tubing over it.

[harrishawk]

Thanks, does the grey connector just pull out of the metal piece and would this prevent the truck from starting?

[VileZambonie]

It will prevent the choke flap from opening. Don't use a butt connector, solder all of your electrical connections. Prop the choke flap open and try starting it and see what happens.

[harrishawk]

Again, thanks.  I'm trying to get the truck to start so that I can get it to a mechanic or take the connector to a auto supply shop and get a replacement.  Can I just pull the grey connector out to disconnect it from the choke?

[choptop]

Yes, you can pull it off. Just push the tab on the side of it, and it should come right off.

[rockable]

Where do you buy those pigtails?  Napa and Autozone?  The connector on mine has gotten brittle.

[Blazin]

Have got them from both plus other parts stores too.