Ignition switch question... - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum

Domino · 01-31-2011, 10:12 PM

There is a lone spade looking terminal on the ignition switch in my 62. What is it for? Does it have power or is it a ground?

63ford406 · 02-01-2011, 12:47 PM

Can't see any thing like that in the Ford shop manual. You don't have a 62 wiring diagram?

432bullet · 02-01-2011, 01:33 PM

Hook it up to 12 volts, Then hook your trouble light to a ground and check the other lugs. Looks like it might be a ground or something to do with a dash light ??? non of my switches have that lug.

Flip · 02-01-2011, 01:59 PM

I just replaced the ignition switch on my '62 as well.

the spade has 1 or 2 wires coming off of it. I want to say it was a black ground and maybe a black w/green stripe. I can check for you tonight if you need.

I didn't bother tracing them back, but I can do that if it would help as well.

let me know.

Flip

Domino · 02-01-2011, 07:40 PM

My diagram does not have anything pertaining to this terminal. I know tha stud is an accessory terminal, but the spade is not connected to anything on my car. I was just wondering.

James1965 · 02-01-2011, 07:45 PM

on my 65 that was a ( on position ) hot..

Domino · 02-01-2011, 08:08 PM

I guess it is for an accessory I do not have.

CaptVirgilHilts · 02-01-2011, 08:22 PM

That switch is for a later Ford ('67) that has a dual brake system. That spade will go to chassis ground during cranking. This will "prove out" the brake warning lamp when you crank the car over. It is not used on a cars prior to '67. I think this is just a case where they have revised a newer switch to cover older applications and the spade is just not used

Domino · 02-01-2011, 08:32 PM

Oh, that makes sense. The one in my car has it and the parts car does not. I know the one in my car was replaced in 1997, so it is clearly not original. I guess the parts car might have the original one.

James1965 · 02-01-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptVirgilHilts

That switch is for a later Ford ('67) that has a dual brake system. That spade will go to chassis ground during cranking. This will "prove out" the brake warning lamp when you crank the car over. It is not used on a cars prior to '67. I think this is just a case where they have revised a newer switch to cover older applications and the spade is just not used

my 65 has the same switch..

if you are really unsure, get a test light hook up a hot to the hot spade on the switch and turn it to on ( run ) see if the center stud is hot.. when i got my 65 someone hooked it to ground and melted the harness and the switch. might even just use a ohm meter for a continuity test. but for the love of god do not wire it to anything without testing it. plug in the black connector, connect the battery, run s test 12v light to gnd and then the other end and see if it lights.

Domino · 02-01-2011, 10:03 PM

I wasn't planning on using this terminal, but I might when I add my brake warning light. If I am reading this right the ground from the brake warning light will go to here and out to the switch on the combination valve. The spade connector is used to ground the light while cranking. Is this right?

Flip · 02-01-2011, 11:08 PM

Sorry about that Domino, I didn't even see the spade in the picture until your response.

The 3 ignition switches I have (1 original, 2 after market) all lack that spade... sorry I can't be of much more use then that.

Good luck with your swap, I found my original key cylinder would not work in the new switch so I had to swap that out as well.. sort of bummed about that as I have the original key still for my '62

CaptVirgilHilts · 02-02-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domino

I wasn't planning on using this terminal, but I might when I add my brake warning light. If I am reading this right the ground from the brake warning light will go to here and out to the switch on the combination valve. The spade connector is used to ground the light while cranking. Is this right?

That is correct.

My advice is to get an ohmmeter ( one with beeper would be good) put one lead on the spade and the other to the metal body of the switch. Put the key in and turn to crank position. The meter should go to 0 ohms ( or beep) This will show the spade goes to chassis ground.

The brake warning bulb on the dash has power to it already, this just provides a path to ground to test the bulb during cranking. Another wire goes from there to the brake warning switch at the shuttle valve on 67 up cars.

Domino · 02-02-2011, 10:49 AM

Thanks. I will definitely test it before hooking anything to it. I have a later model combination valve on my 62 and I have been planning to hook the switch up on it. This will just make it appear factory.

puttster · 02-02-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptVirgilHilts

.
The brake warning bulb on the dash has power to it already, this just provides a path to ground to test the bulb during cranking.

Seems like it would have been easier for Ford to wire the brake warning light the same way as the oil pressure warning light, ie, no spade.