I feel dumb asking this question but i just bought a 39 Deluxe Convertible and the starter button was missing (car is completely restored otherwise). I bought a repo from C&G and it literally fell apart upon installation. I was inserting through the 'key way' and trying to twist it 90 degrees. I assumed the 'prongs' would keep it in the dash and create the ground. Is there a trick to installing these?
39 Deluxe Starter Button Installation
- Thread starter redryder
- Start date
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
Alan (ford38v8 above) gives you good advice. PM one of our 'regular posters' here on the 'Barn that goes by "barnfind08". His name is Fred Wilmer and he owns "Southside Obsolete". He has warehouses full of NOS Ford parts, and he's a good guy. You can send him a PM (private message) directly by clicking on the link I've arranged for you below, and tell him what you need. Your best bet going! DD
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/priva...do=newpm&u=104
you should not have to twist button to install. it pushes in compressing the two spring steel pieces that fit in cutouts in dash hole. make sure you clean this area to bare metal before installing button. you can use Kubes tip and solder a wire to button body and ground it better. button must be grounded to work. I too, bought a new starter button only to have it stick in the second time i pushed it. i got a nors. one off ebay but there are a lot of the new junk on there.
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
rotorwrench
Well-known member
You may have to investigate how the car is currently set up. The old Fords were a ground to start type relay. Someone may have installed a different type relay.
Aarongriffey
Well-known member
Ya, the Fordomatics had a different starter switch. It put electricity to the starter relay, which is often called solenoid.
It got electricity through the neautal safety switch.
Just don’t twist on the starter push button.
I have those buttons from C&G a few times for Fords, Mercury’s and Lincoln
Always considered C&G the best. I have got $200 plus worth of parts from them last week and am waiting for an order of at least 400 this week.
No twist of the starter button por favor.
It got electricity through the neautal safety switch.
Just don’t twist on the starter push button.
I have those buttons from C&G a few times for Fords, Mercury’s and Lincoln
Always considered C&G the best. I have got $200 plus worth of parts from them last week and am waiting for an order of at least 400 this week.
No twist of the starter button por favor.
JSeery
Member Emeritus
The early starter buttons are all chrome, have one wire to them and provide a ground path to the starter solenoid. I am more familiar with the later pickups, but think they are all similar. On the later ones they change over to a solenoid that received power from the starter button. The center button is normally black plastic on them and they have two wires. One connects to a power source and the other one to the starter solenoid.
If there is any question as to type of solenoid it is, it is easy to test. But, be careful!!! Be sure the vehicle is in neutral and the wheels are blocked from moving. Take a short jumper wire and jump the center terminal to a good ground. The starter should engage. That would be the solenoid for the early grounded starter button. If nothing happens, try shorting the center terminal to the Battery terminal of the solenoid. If that engages the starter, then it needs the later power style starter button.
If there is any question as to type of solenoid it is, it is easy to test. But, be careful!!! Be sure the vehicle is in neutral and the wheels are blocked from moving. Take a short jumper wire and jump the center terminal to a good ground. The starter should engage. That would be the solenoid for the early grounded starter button. If nothing happens, try shorting the center terminal to the Battery terminal of the solenoid. If that engages the starter, then it needs the later power style starter button.
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