Bypass ignition switch
 

Can anyone tell me how I can bypass the ignition switch on a Model A?
I'm trying to help someone who is not very mechanical get an A started up.
The car has not been started in about 5 years. When I turn the switch on with the key they gave me, there is no click, the key just turns. No spark from the coil. Ideas?

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

With the stock original "popout" ignition switch when you turn the key the lock po[ps out and turns the ignition on, when it is off the ignition is shorted so the car can't be hotwired

many cars have been modified with replacement switches that just turn, some don't feel like much happens

since the car has been sitting most likely the points are oxidized, need to be cleaned---sometimes just scraping with pocketknife----diamond nail file, sdandpaper---if you move the points with screwdriver with ignition on there should be sparks---both at the points, and coil wire

in an originally wired model A the ignition switch is wired between the points and coil, the coil gets power all the time

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

What Kurt said!

I'd start by stopping the engine with the points open, then turn the key on and see if you have 6 volts at the movable points contact, then short the points with a screwdriver blade, and each time you remove the screwdriver you should have a spark out the coil wire held 1/4" from a head nut.

As Kurt said, most likely just needs the oxidation cleaned off the points.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Hi Hioridge,

Just in case reply suggestions #2 & #3 above will not allow this Model A to start:

Sometimes, in trying to help someone not very mechanically inclined, (and many times, perhaps not very electrically inclined), to avoid having unknown loose wires and sparks around a dash mounted Model A fuel tank ......... Question: Is he a good friend, (maybe next door to your house), that you really care about? .......... or not really?

Not trying to be funny .... but if it is the switch that is not functioning & if it were me, (with a non-mechanically inclined friend), I would call Bratton's to order a number "16320" temporary Model A replacement ignition switch for about $20.00 that may save your friend's Model A, his family, and his house.

The cheep-cheep-cheep make-do route can often times do more harm than good.

My second son's wife's parents' house burned to the ground last night ..... apologies for being abrupt, but I am sort of in a "Life Safety Mood" this morning.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Henry
I'm very sorry to hear that but I am glad they are safe

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

If it ran 5 yrs ago, your switch is good. Just give it a chance and it will start.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Thanks Mitch ..... they are all safe ...... the house was insured ..... but as usual, lives can never be replaced .... so we need to be thankful that it could be lots worse.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Sometimes, ignition switch contacts can be "CLEANED", by turning the switch OFF & ON, about 37 times.
Bill Easy

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

For the price and security of a new one "I ain't cleanning no switch".

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

I would appreciate it if someone would answer the question. It is a pain to remove a popout switch. So, does that mean to pop out the switch so the ignition is not shorted, then jump the ignition from where?

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Me either...:eek:

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Instructions are here:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/em...gnition-jumper

Click on "installation instructions"

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

" ...then shalt thou count to thirty seven, no more, no less. Thirty seven shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be thirty seven. Thirty eight shalt thou not count, neither count thou thirty six, excepting that thou then proceed to thirty seven. Thirty nine is right out...."

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

First, do you have an original popout installed?

If you do then you'd want to drain the coolant and remove the cylinder head clamp nut, then remove the screw on the side of the head that locks the distributor in place. Lift the distributor out and unscrew the popout cable by spinning the distributor. Now you can set the cable to the side and screw in the jumper cable and clip the wire to the + post on the coil. This is for an emergency to get home.

If you are going to replace the switch then you'll have to remove the 4 screws and pull the instrument panel forward, then remove the screws locking the switch to the panel.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

For an emergency "get home" you can use a T coil, hooking into the center of the distributor cap. Bypasses everything that can go wrong.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Thanks Tom, I was hoping there was a tool free way without detaching the popout cable from the distributor.

Bruce, I dont know the first thing about T coils.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

i got a question , may get abuse and ridicule, may be others who want to ask but can't take the heat so i will , so here goes .....What exactly POPS out of this ignition switch, How exactly does this device function? Gulp

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

Russ,

Draining coolant as mentioned will save having coolant in the oil pan and damaging the bearings ... some heads will leak even when removing the nut for 5 minutes.


Also it it very important to remove the ground cable from the battery, if there is no fuse, BEFORE unscrewing the speedometer panel. Many cars have frayed insulation and bare wires behind the panel and a fire is very likely when the wires short out on the gas tank.

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

the entire lock cylinder unit upon turning the key "pops out' ---this movement operates the "switch" changing the connection of the wire coming up the armored cable from a ground to a connection with the wire coming from the coil enabling the car to make spark

as soon as it pops out the key can be removed, to shut car off all that is done is to push it in

Re: Bypass ignition switch
 

hey Kurt thanks for the simple explaination,