1956 Ignition Switch Problem Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 124
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From: Princeton New Jersey
1956 Ignition Switch Problem Help!
Hi everyone & Happy New Year,
I hope someone can help... I just put on my third Ignition Switch a brand new one.
My Problem: when I go to turn the key off to the lock position the starter tries to engage..I can hear a ting from starter to flywheel teeth. If I go very very slow it doesn't do it sometimes. Seems like when I go from off to lock it does it. The car starts right up no problem there. My '56 has a 350cc with HEI ignition... I thought it was the switch, I changed it to a brand new switch same thing... what the heck! So I thought I would ask the experts here.. Many thanks John G.
I hope someone can help... I just put on my third Ignition Switch a brand new one.
My Problem: when I go to turn the key off to the lock position the starter tries to engage..I can hear a ting from starter to flywheel teeth. If I go very very slow it doesn't do it sometimes. Seems like when I go from off to lock it does it. The car starts right up no problem there. My '56 has a 350cc with HEI ignition... I thought it was the switch, I changed it to a brand new switch same thing... what the heck! So I thought I would ask the experts here.. Many thanks John G.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Rant about Chinese made stuff:
They are good at making something that "looks like" an ignition switch", or "looks like" a Phillips screwdriver, etc.
But often ignore design details, like a #2 Phillips screwdriver for example has a very specific tip angle, and other specs to the tip, and "looks like" doesn't necessarily meet those specs, so the screwdriver doesn't work well and either wont fit, or strips out screws.
I suspect your switch way have some over size internal contacts that briefly get connected turning off the switch.
Doug
They are good at making something that "looks like" an ignition switch", or "looks like" a Phillips screwdriver, etc.
But often ignore design details, like a #2 Phillips screwdriver for example has a very specific tip angle, and other specs to the tip, and "looks like" doesn't necessarily meet those specs, so the screwdriver doesn't work well and either wont fit, or strips out screws.
I suspect your switch way have some over size internal contacts that briefly get connected turning off the switch.
Doug
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Princeton New Jersey
Rant about Chinese made stuff:
They are good at making something that "looks like" an ignition switch", or "looks like" a Phillips screwdriver, etc.
But often ignore design details, like a #2 Phillips screwdriver for example has a very specific tip angle, and other specs to the tip, and "looks like" doesn't necessarily meet those specs, so the screwdriver doesn't work well and either wont fit, or strips out screws.
I suspect your switch way have some over size internal contacts that briefly get connected turning off the switch.
Doug
They are good at making something that "looks like" an ignition switch", or "looks like" a Phillips screwdriver, etc.
But often ignore design details, like a #2 Phillips screwdriver for example has a very specific tip angle, and other specs to the tip, and "looks like" doesn't necessarily meet those specs, so the screwdriver doesn't work well and either wont fit, or strips out screws.
I suspect your switch way have some over size internal contacts that briefly get connected turning off the switch.
Doug
The first two switches I changed out were OEM switches from original cars. Something crazy going on here.. Yes I have had problems with China and try and stay away from them.. However they have a foot hold in almost everything now a days.. I wonder how that happened???
John G.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Then i would say you may have a wiring problem.
Does this happen when the motor is turned off, or just when the switch goes from RUN, to Lock, without having started the motor?
Doug
Does this happen when the motor is turned off, or just when the switch goes from RUN, to Lock, without having started the motor?
Doug
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Princeton New Jersey
I will try that when I get the car back. I am having the car detailed and hope to get it back soon.. I would like to fix the problem and not damage the fly wheel.. John
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Princeton New Jersey