Faulty Ignition Switch?

tperk100

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 10, 2009
Messages
84
At ramp, starter would not engage (not even a "click" was heard). However, I could hear the click from the engine when pushing in on the key for the choke or "en-richer" or whatever it's called. I suspected the kill switch because in the past, when tested, it occasionally did not kill the engine like it's supposed to. Thought maybe it had failed and would not let engine crank. Fooled around with switch, batteries (3), tapping on starter, etc with no success. Tried about 20 times with no starter engagement. Went home.

Murphy decided to meet me at home. In garage, bumped the ignition key and starter engaged every time....about a dozen times in a row. Obviously something is intermittently acting up. Still suspecting kill switch, I CUT the 2 wires to the switch. Now with no kill switch I expected the ignition would not operate...but IT DID ...again I could bump the starter with no problem.

Soooooo...I am thinking that maybe the kill switch operates the opposite of how I thought it did, so I spliced the 2 wires together to see what would happen. (I made the connection but without the kill switch). Once again the engine starter engaged.!! Now I am a little baffled.

How could the starter, in my garage, engage with or without the kill switch? Why would the starter NOT engage at all at the ramp? All this leads me to wonder if I need to replace the ignition switch. Seem logical to me, but would like to hear other's opinions and/or suggestions.
 

99yam40

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
9,116
Re: Faulty Ignition Switch?

Kill switch only grounds the spark voltage of ignition system

Neutral start switch in control box will keep power from key switch from getting to start relay
 

tperk100

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 10, 2009
Messages
84
Re: Faulty Ignition Switch?

I knew that! I am beginning to think that I had a "senior moment." I never fooled with the control box at ramp.....switch may have needed to be either engaged or bumped.

CASE CLOSED for now.

Thanks much for your response.
 
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