Two Solenoids on a 36 Pickup?

MadmanWilson

MadmanWilson

Member
I don't have much experience with car wiring, but I noticed that the 36 I'm working on seems to have two solenoids? Is this a common thing? The top one actually is labeled IGN SW SOL, the bottom isn't but they look exactly the same.

The bottom solenoid has a wire coming in the from battery on the left side, then it just connects up in parallel to the other solenoid on the same terminal.

Looking to change to 12v... I assume I will replace these with one 12 volt solenoid?

I attached a picture. There is a master cylinder there someone added at some point just so as not to confuse everyone on what they're looking at.
 

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Ah alright the one being labeled IGN SW SOL threw me off. So these didn't have one originally. Will I need to put one on when I convert to 12v?
 
Yes, they did have ONE originally, but it's probably on the passenger side of the firewall. Should be wired BETWEEN the big cable coming from battery post and the other big cable bolted to starter. DD
 
A solenoid is an electrically operated magnetic switch, used for high voltage draw like the starter motor. It can be operated remotely by a simple pushbutton. They are used on '37 and up. '36 was the last year to use a foot starter switch.

A relay is also a magnetic switch, but is used for smaller devices such as a horn.
 
ford38v8 said:
A solenoid is an electrically operated magnetic switch, used for high voltage draw like the starter motor. It can be operated remotely by a simple pushbutton. They are used on '37 and up. '36 was the last year to use a foot starter switch.

A relay is also a magnetic switch, but is used for smaller devices such as a horn.
Click to expand...

A solenoid is a magnetic switch that performs a mechanical function such as pulling in a starter drive. A magnetic switch or relay performs a electrical function only. Quite often magnetic switches are called solenoids.
Bill
 
MadmanWilson said:
Ah alright the one being labeled IGN SW SOL threw me off. So these didn't have one originally. Will I need to put one on when I convert to 12v?
Click to expand...

When you convert to 12V you can use either the foot switch or a magnetic switch. If you use a magnetic switch it will have to be activated with a push button or a ignition switch with a start position.
Bill
 
Bill, the solenoid on an early ford does perform a mechanical function: It pulls in not the starter drive, but the electrical switch that then pulls in the bendix drive. Perhaps the bendix drive also has what you'd call a solenoid, I don't know?
 
ford38v8 said:
Bill, the solenoid on an early ford does perform a mechanical function: It pulls in not the starter drive, but the electrical switch that then pulls in the bendix drive. Perhaps the bendix drive also has what you'd call a solenoid, I don't know?
Click to expand...

Alan, The Magnetic switch on a early Ford 37-48 make an electrical connection only which energizes the starter motor and the spining armature shaft screws the gear into the flywheel. A lot of people call them solenoids but their really a magnetic switch.
Bill
 
Bill, I see your distinction, but must insist that the 'magnetic switch' on the firewall of early fords (and probably most other cars of the era) is very well known as a solenoid, whether technically true or not.
Would you, for example, make yourself clear to a supplier if you ordered a magnetic switch for a 1940 ford? I think the clerk would likely ask you to specify more clearly your wish! :rolleyes:
 
What those may be are relays for a solenoid. The one for the overdrive has the same labeling, as it connects higher amperage to the OD solenoid than the ignition switch could handle. As to how they are used here you will have to trace the wires to see what they connect to. The wire from the terminal marked solenoid will most likely go to the device it operates.
 
V8COOPMAN said:
Yes, they did have ONE originally, but it's probably on the passenger side of the firewall. Should be wired BETWEEN the big cable coming from battery post and the other big cable bolted to starter. DD
Click to expand...


36 pickup did not have any solenoids for the starter or the horn
 
I can't tell from the photo what the components are, but if they are horn relays, one may be used for the horn, and the other used to bypass the ignition ballast resistor when starting to apply full voltage to the coil when starting. If this is the case,the one wire will go to the battery source, the other wire would go to the coil, and the third wire will be connected to a starter push button that is grounded when the starter button is pushed.
donQ
 
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