1963 Ignition Switch Test

[Norm B.]

I am trying to track down some ignition issues in my '63 coupe. Going through some of the steps in the service manual has led me to suspect a faulty ignition switch. When checking the switch I found there is continuity between the BAT terminal and SOL terminal and also the BAT terminal and the IGN terminal when they key is in the start or cranking position. Can someone confirm that I am correct in the belief that the BAT to IGN circuit should be off when cranking the engine?

I am running standard points ignition and the switch appears to be original, it's stamped 635.

[Joseph S.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

Norm, There is only continuity between the BAT and IGN terminals when the switch is in the RUN position. However, there is 12 volts from the R side of the starter that will backfeed all the way to the switch while the ignition switch is in the Start position. Make sure you have the pink wire at the starter disconnected if you are testing the switch with the wires attached.

Regards, Joe

[Norm B.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

Thanks Joe. I have the switch out and on the bench right now. In the meantime I have found a wire or two that are a little suspect so I am going to address them first then I think I am going to start over with the procedure in the service manual again and see if I have overlooked something.

Norm

[Joseph S.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

Norm, I'm afraid i gave you some wrong info. The switch I tested must have been bad. After a short conversation with Rich M. I went back and dug out some more switches and tested all of them. 2 63's, a 64, 65, 66 and 67. All the others had contact between BAT & IGN in both RUN & Start positions.

Sorry for the bad info initially. Good luck, Joe

[Norm B.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

Thanks Joe. A friend of mine has a known good switch which he tested it and found the same results as you. I was either misinformed or old timers kicked in but either way I am now sure that I was initially wrong in my understanding of how they worked. At least now I know my switch is good so I can start looking elsewhere for any issues. Norm

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

Norm,

What is your failure symptom?

Is it a Manual or PG?

Rich

[Norm B.]

Re: 1963 Ignition Switch Test

I believe I have solved the problem.

This car has always been very reluctant to start after sitting for a few days or longer. After winter storage it has been especially difficult but always eventually fired up. This year was a different story. We could not get it to fire at all at first and then we had a weak spark when cranking but still no go. We left it and the next day tried again and eventually it started, idled perfectly, and ran like a charm on the short 10 block trip to home. Due to other commitments I had to ignore it until earlier this week when I ran through all the procedures in the service manual, one of which pointed me towards the ignition switch. After testing that and having my version of how I thought it was supposed to work corrected I eliminated it. About the only thing I was left with was poor connections or a mysterious short somewhere. Everything I looked at seemed to be ok so I started unwrapping the bundle that carries the wires to the starter and coil. All looked good until I grabbed the pink wire that runs from the "R" terminal on the solenoid to the + terminal on the coil. This is the wire that sends the 12 volts to the coil when cranking. At some point it had been overloaded and all the insulation had melted off it on the backside which was not even visible until it was pulled out of the bundle. It was also frayed significantly in a few places and since it is only 18ga. to start with there is no wonder it had overheated at some point. This appears to be something that happened to it a long time ago and is likely the source of my chronic hard starting issue. I replaced the wire and once I had given everything else a good going over I tried to start the car and it fired right up immediately.

Thanks for your input Joe and Richard.