'48 Ford-How does this switch work

Josh in Pa · Sep 29, 2011

I have a '48 F-6 grain truck. Someone before me converted from seperate ignition switch/starter switch, to a single lawn mower key style switch. I bought the original type starter switch to convert it back to original and was surprised to find the switch has only one terminal and grounds it when you push the buttom. This is correct per the ford wiring diagram. My solenoid needs power to close the contacts. How does grounding something close contacts to start the engine? Do I need a different style solenoid? Thanks for any help,
Josh

DH in Carolina · Sep 29, 2011

48 ford ignition switch supplied power to coil and insturment panel. Had a seperate push button switch for starter solenoid. DH

Josh in Pa · Sep 29, 2011

Thats how I am trying to set it up. But my push button is a single post and grounds it out when you push it. I don't think this sill work with my solenoid?
Josh

onefarmer · Sep 29, 2011

That push button would be for, a solenoid that has power to it, and pushing the button completes the ground.

DH in Carolina · Sep 29, 2011

The 48 Ford was a 6 volt postive ground system. Maybe someone has changed it to negative ground. The single pole should work as it completed the circuit from the solenoid to the truck frame.

teddy52food · Sep 29, 2011

onefarmer has it right. You need a different solinoid.

Duner Wi · Sep 29, 2011

Look at a BWD #S53 . Oriellys sells them. I think that is what you need. Check with supplier to be sure. Grounding (push button in) is what activates starter .

Janicholson · Sep 29, 2011

Or simply a different push button that has two terminals one from the ignition hot terminal and one to the starter relay on the truck now. (it is from a later truck, but will work with a switch as described. Jim

pete 23 · Sep 29, 2011

That is the way Ford did it for many many years. Two small terminals on solenoid (magnetic switch). One was live all the time and other went to the starter push button single terminal switch and grounded windings in solenoid. Didn't even have to turn the key to run the starter.

Jon Hagen · Sep 29, 2011

The original solenoid has one end of the solenoid winding connected to one of the big BAT posts. The small terminal connects to the other end of the solenoid winding and completes the circuit when you ground that small terminal through the button switch.

When you install one of those "ground to activate" solenoids, make sure you connect the battery cable to the solenoid post marked "BAT", that is the one with the solenoid winding connected to it. If you acidently switch the battery and starter connections, the solenoid will not function.

I repowered a 48 model F6 with a modern 12V engine and wanted to keep the starter solenoid with the extra terminal for the ignition resistor bypass. I made it work with the original grounding button switch by mounting the solenoid base on an insulated wood block on the firewall. I jumpered the small "S" post to the big "BAT" post and connected the Starter button wire to the foot of the solenoid.
It worked great with the grounding starter button and I had the "hot start terminal for better starting ignition.

Oldmax · Sep 30, 2011

You need a Starter sol that is non-grounded Or one for marine app. Will cost about $27.95 at NAPA. Just bought one for Kohler GEN SET they use that type. Hot to one side all the time . Ground to start. Will see if i have the box it came in with part #. Has thas truck been changed to 12 VOLT.

Josh in Pa · Sep 30, 2011

Yes the truck is 12v. The original solenoid is 6v, and some say it will work, others say it will burn up. So I think you are right, I am need of an ungrounded solenoid designed for 12v.

36 Coupe · Oct 4, 2011

I cant understand all the confusion on solenoids.A solenoid with an isolated coil can be wired for a grounding or hot wire switch.When the solenoid gave out on my friends riding mower I used a Mercury solenoid I had on hand.It saved days of down time and a 20 mile trip to get the mower part.

'48 Ford-How does this switch work

Josh in Pa

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DH in Carolina

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Josh in Pa

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onefarmer

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DH in Carolina

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Josh in Pa

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