[dmbolf]

So I know there have been a few kill switch threads here already, but they don't seem to have quite what I need.

So, basics of the car: 1973 Dodge Charger. Pretty much completely stock, 318ci. The coil is mounted pretty much on the backside (read: near firewall) of the intake manifold. There are 3 small wires coming off it: brown, black and yellow, and bluish green. There is also the wire to the distributor.

So my question to you: I would like to install a kill switch (toggle would be preferred), how would I go about that? Also, what amps and volts will I need?

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by dmbolf

So I know there have been a few kill switch threads here already, but they don't seem to have quite what I need.

So, basics of the car: 1973 Dodge Charger. Pretty much completely stock, 318ci. The coil is mounted pretty much on the backside (read: near firewall) of the intake manifold. There are 3 small wires coming off it: brown, black and yellow, and bluish green. There is also the wire to the distributor.

So my question to you: I would like to install a kill switch (toggle would be preferred), how would I go about that? Also, what amps and volts will I need?

You would need a 15 amp switch wired to the 12v+ side of the coil.

[dmbolf]

Does having a higher amperage hurt at all?

[vicrod]

The term KILL switch is used when discussing a magneto ignition system. A magneto is driven by the engine and generates high voltage internally from rotation. To stop a magneto ignition it needs to shorted to ground to stop the high voltage.
Your system requires an ignition switch. This switches 12 volts to the + terminal of the coil.
Any switch rated 15 amps or more can be used.
The 1973 mopar, if it has a point type distributor, may use a ballast resister in the ignition circuit that powers the coil in the run mode.
A seperate wire from the starter solenoid also runs to the coil 12 volts + to provide full 12 volts during cranking.

vicrod

[dmbolf]

Originally Posted by vicrod

The term KILL switch is used when discussing a magneto ignition system. A magneto is driven by the engine and generates high voltage internally from rotation. To stop a magneto ignition it needs to shorted to ground to stop the high voltage.
Your system requires an ignition switch. This switches 12 volts to the + terminal of the coil.
Any switch rated 15 amps or more can be used.
The 1973 mopar, if it has a point type distributor, may use a ballast resister in the ignition circuit that powers the coil in the run mode.
A seperate wire from the starter solenoid also runs to the coil 12 volts + to provide full 12 volts during cranking.

vicrod

Thanks for your help. As you can probably tell, electrical isn't my speciality.

[dmbolf]

Also, what wires should I use?

[vicrod]

I don't know what you are doing.
If you install a separate ignition switch how will you start the engine?
Is the existing ignition switch bad?
If so how do you know it's bad?
To many unknowns.

vicrod

[dmbolf]

I would like to install a toggle switch that interrupts the signal from the ignition switch (with the key) to the coil. Theft deterrent. Turn it off, the car won't start.

[vicrod]

OK.
You need to find the wire that comes from the fuse block to the ignition switch.This is the main feed to the ignition switch.
Cut this wire and connect the "theft switch" terminals to the cut wire ends.

vicrod

[35terraplane]

I put kill switches in between the battery and the starter, that kills everything, or you can put one between the battery and the ignition, of course you have to use bigger than toggle switches, the wire from the fuse board Ignition switch is a # 14 wire But if you want to tap into it to prevent theft you will have do do it where it can't be found easy or they can just go around it.

later 35terraplane

[T-bucket23]

The easiest and safest way to install a kill switch on that car is to get a toggle switch, connect one terminal to ground and the other to the negative terminal on the coil. The car will not start while the switch is closed. This is better than trying to interrupt the feed as that can easily be defeated by connecting a jumper wire to the + side of the coil. Also if the switch fails the car wont start.
If you do a clean job my way it is almost undetectable. I did several of these and usually put them under the seat or in the glove box.

[dmbolf]

Originally Posted by T-bucket23

The easiest and safest way to install a kill switch on that car is to get a toggle switch, connect one terminal to ground and the other to the negative terminal on the coil. The car will not start while the switch is closed. This is better than trying to interrupt the feed as that can easily be defeated by connecting a jumper wire to the + side of the coil. Also if the switch fails the car wont start.
If you do a clean job my way it is almost undetectable. I did several of these and usually put them under the seat or in the glove box.

At the risk of sounding like a complete moron, how do I connect to ground? Mechanical I can do, electricity has always eluded me.

[35terraplane]

That is if you use a coil, I was thinking HEI. But that will work, the idea is to hide it.
I had a 63 chev. 409 425 H.P. and I had the air cleaner valve, covers everything factory chrome stolen once, so I put a kill switch on it. Had to take it to the shop, forgot to tell them I had a kill switch, which I hit every time I got out of it. The bill to find the kill switch was twice what it was for whatever I took it in for.

later 35terraplane

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by dmbolf

At the risk of sounding like a complete moron, how do I connect to ground? Mechanical I can do, electricity has always eluded me.

Either find a convenient screw that is attachect to the body close by where you want to put the switch or drill a small hole in a metal body part a use a sheet metal screw and a couple washers. Put the wire between the washers to keep it from trying to spin the wire when you tighten it

[35terraplane]

Originally Posted by dmbolf

At the risk of sounding like a complete moron, how do I connect to ground? Mechanical I can do, electricity has always eluded me.

Take a #14 wire and run a wire to ground you have to put a terminal on the wire make sure where ever you ground it it has some bare metal or a good scew that you screw in.

35 terraplane