C1 Ignition Switch

[Nicholas L.]

[Stephen C.]

Re: C1 Ignition Switch

check the wires to the back of the ignition switch make sure they are connected to the correct terminals and none are loose. Also check the connection where they lead.If all is correct it could be a faulty switch.

Good luck
Steve C

[Edward D.]

Re: C1 Ignition Switch

Check the wire from the starter solenoid "C" or "R" terminal to the coil + circuit. On a 1960 its dark green and attaches at the ballast resistor to a common connector with the dark green wire running to the coil + terminal. This is the circuit that provides 12 volts to the coil when cranking. Early starter solenoids have this terminal marked "C", later replacement small block starters have it marked "R". You need continuity on this wire to get the voltage boost when starting.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Ignition Switch

Test for 12V at the IGN terminal(Brown wire at ignition switch) during crank(START).

If the engine starts when keying from START to RUN, it is possible you have a BOTH a bad ignition switch AND a wiring or solenoid issue. Because the engine starts when keyed to RUN, this tells me the Ballast resistor is good and its wiring from the ignition switch and its wiring to the Coil+ is functioning.

A 1960 Ignition switch should have power on its IGN terminal during both RUN and START. As mentioned, during START, the solenoid R terminal supplies full battery voltage to coil+ .... bypassing the Ballast Resistor which gets IGN voltage directly from the ignition switch.

If the switch has no 12V on its IGN terminal during START, it's a defective switch. However, even if this was the case, then the Solenoid R terminal green wire would supply full battery voltage to coil+ during START, and the engine would start and continue to run when keyed to RUN.

I think it's a defective ignition switch as well as a Solenoid R terminal/wiring issue. The engine would probably still start if the Solenoid R terminal circuit was faulty, as long as the ignition switch was good.

One last thing..... It is possible that these 2 problems did not occur simultaneously. One fault could have happened before the other, and the 2nd fault now shows up as this unusual condition.

[Nicholas L.]

Re: C1 Ignition Switch

The problem was the wiring. Thanks for the suggestions.