[truckboy61]

I just got a1961 Chevy truck with no working ignition switch. There was a universal switch in the dash but tumbler was jacked! I got a new one assuming it worked ? prior to that twisting the alternator and ignition wires and touching the power wire would work fine! Truck would run fine as long as ignition and alter wires stayed touching each other. Now using the switch, only power to starter but will not fire, if I place ignition and alternator wire together, switch will start but switch will not turn off truck ! some one suggested a on/off switch and separate push start button running power and alternator wires to switch and distributor and cross wire from alternator to push button? It will turn on starter but no fire ? Please help...

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by truckboy61

I just got a1961 Chevy truck with no working ignition switch. There was a universal switch in the dash but tumbler was jacked! I got a new one assuming it worked ? prior to that twisting the alternator and ignition wires and touching the power wire would work fine! Truck would run fine as long as ignition and alter wires stayed touching each other. Now using the switch, only power to starter but will not fire, if I place ignition and alternator wire together, switch will start but switch will not turn off truck ! some one suggested a on/off switch and separate push start button running power and alternator wires to switch and distributor and cross wire from alternator to push button? It will turn on starter but no fire ? Please help...

The reason the motor will not shut off is because you have the ignition wire connected to the alternator wire. When you do this, you are getting 12 volts all the time regardless of the switch position. You really need to test the switch terminals to see what terminal does what. You need a continuity tester to check that. Basically what you want to find is the two terminals on the switch that are internally connected when the switch is in the "on/run" position but are disconnected when the switch is in the off position to break the circuit and turns the motor off.