The Ford Barn

wkvasnicka · 11-19-2019, 07:25 PM

I purchased a 31 slant window cabriolet three days ago and need to replace the original faulty ignition switch. Looking in the catalogs I see pop out switch, non pop out switch, switch alone and entire assembly to distributer. All confusing to me. 62 years ago at the age of 16 I owned a $25.00 28 Mod A and somehow have forgotten everything that I probably knew then. Any guidance you may have will be appreciated. Thank you.

Bob C · 11-19-2019, 08:39 PM

If it's an original pop out send it to Dick Crabtree 605-487-7229 and it will
come back like new.

Bob

wkvasnicka · 11-20-2019, 08:32 AM

How can I tell if I have an original pop out? And can I just replace the switch? This cabriolet has been restored to like new condition but I am not interested in judging points. I just want to get it running so I can drive it. Thanks

Joop · 11-20-2019, 09:06 AM

Posting a picture would be helpfull in determining what you have.

rotorwrench · 11-20-2019, 09:25 AM

The pop-out switch was an added guard against theft. It interfaces with the distributor in a way that makes it complicated to modify. There have been reproductions in the past that were a lot like the originals but not quite the quality of the original. Sometimes all they need is a new wire put into the armored cable. A person needs a switch whether pop out or not and they would need what is known as the ignition jumper in order to interface properly with the distributor to bypass the pop-out. Folks will pay high dollar for the original pop-outs if you have one. The characteristics of manufacture will tell folks in the know of whether it is original or not. Several photos of the switch assembly would go a long way to ID it but the instrument panel would have to be removed to gain access.

It's well worth while to keep a Cabriolet in original condition. They are not common now days.

https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A11575EJ.html

wkvasnicka · 11-20-2019, 01:18 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Shot some Lock Eze on the switch and now it pops in and out easily. Red coil wire live when switch is OFF (in) and dead when ON (out). So hopefully all is well.

jw hash · 11-20-2019, 08:19 PM

your coil has power to it all the time. that red wire comes from your coil to the pop out then to the distributor, sound to me it is working correctly.

rotorwrench · 11-21-2019, 01:40 PM

There is power to one side of the coil then the other terminal is the ground path to the Electrolock switch. When the button is pushed in, the ground part of the circuit is open to ensure no ignition function. When button is popped out the circuit is complete to the breaker points in the distributor. The breaker points & condenser control the coil high tension induction but the circuit has to be hot to make it work. This is a good explanation.
https://modelagarage.com/service_bul...e-electrolock/

Folks sometimes forget to push the switch button in due to the car dying out or some other reason. If the ignition is left on and the points are closed, it can burn up the coil. If your lucky and the points are open then there will be no problem.

11-19-2019, 07:25 PM	#1
wkvasnicka Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 31	31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. I purchased a 31 slant window cabriolet three days ago and need to replace the original faulty ignition switch. Looking in the catalogs I see pop out switch, non pop out switch, switch alone and entire assembly to distributer. All confusing to me. 62 years ago at the age of 16 I owned a $25.00 28 Mod A and somehow have forgotten everything that I probably knew then. Any guidance you may have will be appreciated. Thank you.

11-19-2019, 08:39 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. If it's an original pop out send it to Dick Crabtree 605-487-7229 and it will come back like new. Bob

11-20-2019, 08:32 AM	#3
wkvasnicka Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 31	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. How can I tell if I have an original pop out? And can I just replace the switch? This cabriolet has been restored to like new condition but I am not interested in judging points. I just want to get it running so I can drive it. Thanks

11-20-2019, 09:06 AM	#4
Joop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 2,950	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. Posting a picture would be helpfull in determining what you have.

11-20-2019, 09:25 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. The pop-out switch was an added guard against theft. It interfaces with the distributor in a way that makes it complicated to modify. There have been reproductions in the past that were a lot like the originals but not quite the quality of the original. Sometimes all they need is a new wire put into the armored cable. A person needs a switch whether pop out or not and they would need what is known as the ignition jumper in order to interface properly with the distributor to bypass the pop-out. Folks will pay high dollar for the original pop-outs if you have one. The characteristics of manufacture will tell folks in the know of whether it is original or not. Several photos of the switch assembly would go a long way to ID it but the instrument panel would have to be removed to gain access. It's well worth while to keep a Cabriolet in original condition. They are not common now days. https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A11575EJ.html Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-20-2019 at 09:30 AM.

11-20-2019, 01:18 PM	#6
wkvasnicka Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 31	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Shot some Lock Eze on the switch and now it pops in and out easily. Red coil wire live when switch is OFF (in) and dead when ON (out). So hopefully all is well.

11-20-2019, 08:19 PM	#7
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. your coil has power to it all the time. that red wire comes from your coil to the pop out then to the distributor, sound to me it is working correctly.

11-21-2019, 01:40 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: 31 Cabriolet Ignition Switch Replacement. There is power to one side of the coil then the other terminal is the ground path to the Electrolock switch. When the button is pushed in, the ground part of the circuit is open to ensure no ignition function. When button is popped out the circuit is complete to the breaker points in the distributor. The breaker points & condenser control the coil high tension induction but the circuit has to be hot to make it work. This is a good explanation. https://modelagarage.com/service_bul...e-electrolock/ Folks sometimes forget to push the switch button in due to the car dying out or some other reason. If the ignition is left on and the points are closed, it can burn up the coil. If your lucky and the points are open then there will be no problem. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-21-2019 at 01:46 PM.