Coil Box switch question

[woodrow]

Recently bought a T with a Heinze wooden coil box with a Heinze switch. Normally I start the car on battery then switch to mag. From time to time when I want to turn off the engine I'll move the switch from mag to the off position on the bottom and the engine will continue to run. I have opened the switch face and checked the inside and I can see where the key is supposed to engage a contact that should move back and forth to make proper contact. For example, up and down (12 o'clock/6 o'clock is off, 10 o'clock/5 o'clock is batt and 2 o'clock/7 o'clock is mag). Sure hope all this makes sense because I normally don't do electrical stuff very well. Anyway, when the engine won't stop by placing the switch in the 12 o'clock/6 o'clock I then advance the throttle/retard the throttle swiftly back and forth to get it shut down. I see that the key is supposed to engage the contact and not sure why it doesn't. A long, rambling question that I hope draws a picture of my problem and I'd sure appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Picture?

 

[woodrow]

Here is a picture of the coil box I mentioned. The contact/bar is inside the black front and the on/off/mag switch is seen at the bottom.

 

[Will N]

Hmm, if it works when you turn it to battery to start and then move it to mag to run, it sounds like the internals of the switch are moving, and that at some point between batt and mag there ought to be an off position. Maybe you have to move it a little to the right or left of the 6:00 position to find that off position? Are you feeling a positive "click" or "thump" as it drops into the detents at the mag, off and batt positions?

 

[woodrow]

The switch is a repop and right now the car is not here for a few days. When I get the car back I'll open it up and check. I think it's something simple, at least I hope so. Thanks