The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1955 Chevy/GMC Electrical Problem

I spent four hours with a mechanic yesterday trying to install a new ignition switch in my 55. The old switch did not allow the key to be in the up/down position and when I turned off the truck the starter would engage for a split second. At eighty dollars an hour it is expensive and especially when nothing was accomplished. The new switch would not work. The new switch will allow the truck to crank, however, when it cranks it will not fire. The old switch cranks and fires, but, the problem with the starter engaging remains. The mechanic says, when he unplugs the wire that goes to the gauges, windshield wipers, and fuel pump the starter does not engage when it is turned off. He unpluged each fuse to each of these three circuits and the starter still engages. I need the gauges, although the speedometer and the fuel gauge do not work and I will need the windshield wipers when I get some. Can I wire the gauges and wipers to a different circuit and unplug the wire from the ignition switch so I don't get the starter to engage when I turn the truck off? I'm having a tough time with this truck!!!! Can someone please help?

Hy PeteOL, first some questions, is your truck a 55 1st series, or a 55 2nd series? Is it a six volt, or a twelve volt? Is your truck a factory automatic?

First, you need to find a real mechanic, not a parts swapper. There should be two circuits that get voltage with the switch in the "run" position, one for ignition, and another for "accessory". Depending on the year and application of the switch, there might also be an "IGN 2" position on the switch that operates only with the switch in the "start" position. The circuits such as the wipers and fuel gauge, etc. need to be wired to the ACC position, with only the circuit to the upstream side of the ballast resistor going to the IGN 1 terminal. With the switch in the "start" position, only the starter and the downstream (coil) side of the ballast resistor, (connected to the IGN 2 terminal) will be hot. When the start switch is released, the IGN 1 and the ACC terminal will have voltage.
Jerry

Hi,

The truck is a second series 55. It has a twelve volt system and it has a turbo 350 automatic transmission. The prior owner replaced the wire harness and for what I know, it appears to have been wired OK. I was not aware of this fact when I purchased the truck, but, it appears to have been a parts truck for various different trucks.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete

If it's been wired by someone else I would do more than check if it appears to be wired okay, I would check all circuits and make sure everything is done correctly, as a small electrical gremlin can cause you big headaches or even burn down your truck.