Solenoid autochoke for an engine

An engine starting system, comprising:

• a battery;
• a starter motor electrically coupled to the battery;
• a starter switch electrically coupled between the battery and the starter motor;
• an ignition actuator configured to close the starter switch when the ignition actuator is in a start position;
• a carburetor having an air intake and a choke valve disposed in the air intake;
• and
• an automatic choke mechanism coupled to the choke valve, the automatic choke mechanism comprising a solenoid electrically coupled to the starter switch and mechanically coupled to the choke valve;
• wherein the solenoid includes a plunger moveable in a direction parallel to a flow of air through the air intake between an extended position and a retracted position;
• wherein the solenoid is configured to be energized at a voltage lower than an operational voltage of the starter motor;
• and
• wherein the plunger moves to the retracted position to close the choke valve when the starter switch is closed and moves to the extended position to open the choke valve when the starter switch is open.

A method for adjusting the position of a choke valve, comprising:

• providing a choke valve in the air passage of a carburetor;
• providing a linkage external to the carburetor and coupled to the choke valve;
• providing an automatic choke mechanism electrically coupled to a starting system for an engine, the automatic choke mechanism comprising a solenoid coupled to the linkage and oriented parallel to the air passage, and the starting system comprising a starter motor electrically coupled to the solenoid;
• and
• energizing the solenoid at a voltage lower than an operational voltage of the starter motor upon activation of the starting system, thereby rotating the linkage and closing the choke valve.