C3 Ignition switch

[Wayne M.]

I believe my 1970 350/350 has an ignition switch problem. When I turn the ignition switch to the start position, nothing happens and my ammeter shows a "dead short" (needle pegs to max discharge). My battery is fully charged. Could this problem be anything other than a ignition switch problem? If not, does anyone have a quick and easy way to test the ignition switch without taking it out of the car?

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Ignition switch

I believe my 1970 350/350 has an ignition switch problem. When I turn the ignition switch to the start position, nothing happens and my ammeter shows a "dead short" (needle pegs to max discharge). My battery is fully charged. Could this problem be anything other than a ignition switch problem? If not, does anyone have a quick and easy way to test the ignition switch without taking it out of the car?

It could be the starter, and that is a devil of a lot easier to change than the ignition switch. If you had a clamp-on ammeter you could determine if the issue was the starter. If the ammeter showed a large current draw to the + cable to the starter = bad starter.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C3 Ignition switch

I just put in a "rebuilt" started from Chicago Corvette (which was supposedly completely tested) before I bought it. Unfortunately I did not test it before I put it in the car. Do you still think that could be the problem?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Ignition switch

I just put in a "rebuilt" started from Chicago Corvette (which was supposedly completely tested) before I bought it. Unfortunately I did not test it before I put it in the car. Do you still think that could be the problem?

Wayne------


Definite possibility. Do the current draw test that Terry suggested.