Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
MORE wrenching? 
Plenty of places to share. | | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,003 Posts1,055,243 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | It looks as though I need a new ignition switch. However, I want to verify this with the experts before ordering the switch. On my latest trip to the Farmer's CO-OP in my 1959 one ton to get a load of feed for my cattle (this truck works for a living), the engine stopped running multiple times. Each time, I turned the ignition switch off momentarily and then back on and it would resume running. Then, a few minutes later the same thing. A failing ignition switch seems obvious to me. Am I right?
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | it's possible, might also be a loose connection someplace, be a good idea to check the circuits involved with a meter
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | Check the wire from the coil (-) to the distributor. It's a good place for a frayed wire or poor connection. The wire moves constantly with the distributor under normal driving. When it heats up it breaks down, switch interrupts it and works again for a while.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | Thanks for the suggestions. It looks as though I have some checking to do before springing for a new switch.
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 | Take a wire with alligator clips on each end (I keep one in my glove box at all times) and use it to jump between the coil (the terminal where the ignition wire is attached) and the big wire on the starter. This will bypass the ignition switch. Take it for a drive. If it doesn't stall, you probably have a bad ignition switch, or a bad ballast resister (if you have one).
Last edited by 52Carl; 01/19/2014 2:46 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 152 | Great idea 52Carl. Thanks!!!!
Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,001 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,001 | If I'm correct, you probably shouldn't leave it connected that way any longer than necessary. With your key on "START", you get full voltage to your points. On "RUN" you get approx. 7 (?); that's the job of the resister that you are bypassing. But for this diagnosis 52Carl's suggestion is a good one.
~ Victor 1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD 1957 3100 - moved on 1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on 1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on 1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 | Great idea 52Carl. Thanks!!!! Another exception is for when you are stalled inside the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with a bad ballast resister! Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | That same jumper wire was how I "borrowed" my Dads' Ford truck when I was in high school. From the lighter to the coil and a screw driver to turn the starter...I don't think I really fooled him any way. But I did put gas in it..:)
Steve H
| | |
|
|
