Ignition switch failure
 

Took my 36 Cabriolet for a excersize drive today:) Stopped at a friends shop for a few minutes & no start:( After some diag. found the Ing switch not working so jumped to get home & replace switch:) This was the 1st time this part was an issue for me. Any Tips?

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Ken----Replace with NOS Ford switch plate and brush. Fits 32 thru 37.
The remakes are warped junk. I just fixed a 37 that failed on the way home from Tahoe meet. Check the resistance when you are done installing new parts, before you connect wires. Should be .1 ohm or less.

Gary

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

I had the same issue in my 36 pickup.

Clean the contact on the plate and adjust the brush to increase the spring pressure.

Norm

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

I too had an issue with the brass "brush". It is a moving part that is 75 years old. Has to wear out. The origional ones are getting hard to find. Thanks to a gentleman here on the Barn, I was able to replace mine with a NOS brush.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Stacy, Arlington TX has NOS. 817 275 2381

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

I loosened the screws on mine and it recovered. We found that on another switch I have, if the screws are too tight it warps the case.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

I realize that the manufacturers of replacement parts list the ignition switch as 32-37, but in 37 they reversed the "on" direction from down (32-36) to up for 37 so the switch would not work the same.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Bull.....

I had a similar problem with my '40 switch. I bought two from Mac's and neither of them worked so I sent them both back. I bought one from C & G.....and it worked. I also noticed that is was manufactured better. I have no way of knowing if it was made by another company or not, but bang....it worked immediately after putting it in.

Mike

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

I took it apart, cleaned the contacts, bent the brush a little at each end put together & works good. Will keep a jumper wire in glove compartment for insurance. Thanks all for the tips:)

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Actually Ford made the On-Off position change in Late '36.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Ken and Norm, you got it. You should take the little rounded contacts and run them over 1000 sand paper on a flat surface. This will give you little flats on the bottom for better contact area. I have never seen a seen a relay with round contact surfaces. Also sand the wear and arc marks out of the flat contact plate and finish with 800 or 1000 paper again on a flat plate. The original plates were milled with a fly cutter or shaper and had big ridges and groves, along with the round contacts this is what started the arcing. G.M.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

Cheers guys. Bringing this back from the archives with a thank you. Had the same issue with a '38 I've just bought and it was the contacts in the switch. Used G.M.'s methods of flatting them with 1000 grit lubed with Plusgas, and all is good.

Re: Ignition switch failure
 

If you're running a bunch of electrics, it's possible to use a relay. The ignition switch would only have to run power to operate the relay. I have a bunch of Bosch 40 amp relays from old car projects- that's what I use.
I put them into the headlight circuits of my old Ford pick up as the head lamps I used would use amperage that would melt the dimmer switch.

Karl