Ignition Switch 101

A

A trucker

New member
Hey folks, new guy here...My dad just bought a '29 Pickup. I went over to check it out, and we could not get it to fire - no spark...I was wondering how the ignition switch operates. Is the key supposed to spring or extend outward when rotated to the "run" position? He said he remembers this function of the switch, but I could not get it to do it for the life of me....wiggled & jiggled, and the key entry plate stayed flush with the ring. I'm assuming that this "pop out" feature completes a circuit to the coil?
Thanks for any help!
 
Hi I'm assuming you do have a pop out switch, if so when you turn the key yes it will pop out this should complete your circuit,
However you describe a normal switch, this will not pop out can you look in-behind the dash and see a armored cable this would indicate a pop out if you see two wires this is not a pop out, the pop out will have a stud coming out of it and one wire will hook there, now if the truck has been sitting for a while i would think points need rubbing, how are you check for fire, one easy way pop the cap off turn the switch on and take a screwdriver see if theres fire at the points,
 
Thx Allen... The truck has electronic ignition, 6v with an alternator. When he purchased it about 3 weeks ago it started & ran fine...He remembers the ignition switch springing outward when turned clockwise to run & crank. Today it did not "popout", and there was no voltage to the coil. Is this "popout" a mechanical spring-loaded function of the switch? Or electro-mechanical? I am guessing it is stuck somehow....
 
the pertronix electronic ignitions will not work with a popout switch. They are switched on the power lead. Popouts switch the ground. That does not mean someone didn't try it, but the instructions say not to use one.
 
allen said:
Hi I'm assuming you do have a pop out switch, if so when you turn the key yes it will pop out this should complete your circuit,
However you describe a normal switch, this will not pop out can you look in-behind the dash and see a armored cable this would indicate a pop out if you see two wires this is not a pop out, the pop out will have a stud coming out of it and one wire will hook there, now if the truck has been sitting for a while i would think points need rubbing, how are you check for fire, one easy way pop the cap off turn the switch on and take a screwdriver see if theres fire at the points,
Click to expand...

There is a non-popout that has an armored cable. It somewhat looks like a popout, but most of them I've seen are tapered inward leading to the front of the switch.

I would check the feel of the switch. Does it feel like it has contacts that engage dimples as you turn the key to the right?
 
A pop out is mechanical, it makes a set of contacts, but i think pat is right i do not think this will work unless using points, because its a ground signal, only problem i ever had with my pop outs had to adjust by unscrewing the cable out of the distributor but this is using points, your Cid is most likely fried,
 
Welcome to the hobby.

If you do have 6v Pertonix, you also have an "on/off" type ignition swith rather than the original "pop out" original style. The Pertronix will not work with the "pop out" style switch. Since the truck was running with the Pertronix, there is a good possibility that the key may have been left in the "on" position without the engine running. When this happens, the module can overheat and kill itself (been there, done that). This is a weak point of the 6v Pertronix I (black) module.

For what it's worth, the 12v (red) Pertronix II module has built in circutry to prevent this from occurring.

I have both ignitions in my cars and in my opinion, a Model A engine will run fine with points or with Pertronix, assuming the rest of the ignition system is up to snuff.

Hope this is some help to you.
 
Thanks again folks...I appreciate the warm response! I am at a disadvantage in that I have not been able to spend much time with dad's new toy. I can tell you that the distributor assy is a new 6v electronic style that uses standard plug wires. I do not know what type of system it utilizes (Pertronix, or ?)...He did say that the fellow he bought it from sourced most of his parts (including distributor) from Bratton's. I went on their website and did find their 6v electronic distributor. Does this type of distributor work with the "popout" ignition switch? Dad remembers that the key did "popout" when turned clockwise initially...When I get back out there to his place, I will dive into this more and determine the exact style of the switch, as well as familiarize myself with the rest of the systems...I'm a mechanic going on 34 years now, and I have always been facinated with these cars...It brings me back to when I first started my career...a simpler time...This should be fun...Thanks again fellas!
 
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