North American Turbocoupe Organization



Ignition switch
georgechard Offline
Senior Member
#1
has anyone had a problem with the switch in the steering column melting? I know it's a recall thing with Ford but their fix does not work. So is their a way to run a relay for the wires that melt? (make the switch have lower amps and the relay with the load.)
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DonH Offline
Posting Freak
#2
Sure, you could do it, but it's probably more trouble than it's worth. Ford's original switch was marginal in its capacity and over time dirty contacts in the switch raise resistance that causes the overheating. There are plenty of posts on this forum talking about the problem. Most people just install a new switch from a quality supplier like NAPA, repair or replace the connector, and the problem goes away. With the relay idea you would have to switch the two power wires into three separate circuits, START, RUN, and ACCESSORY probably using three relays, one normally open SPST for start, one SPDT for RUN (normally closed) and ACCESSORY (normally open) , and one SPST (normally open) for power to the other relays, each relay switched by the positions on the ignition switch.
1987 TC stock except ATR 2.5"
1983 Pontiac Transam T-top 5.7 T56 [email protected] top speed: 176mph
1978 Fairmont 2.3 4-spd Big-top S/W
1946 Willys CJ2A 134.2ci L4 No-top
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georgechard Offline
Senior Member
#3
Thank you, That is alot of work so I think I'll hold off for now. Is the Napa brand switch better than Fords? Thanks again....
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DonH Offline
Posting Freak
#4
They should be equal. Ford changed the switch after all the fires.
1987 TC stock except ATR 2.5"
1983 Pontiac Transam T-top 5.7 T56 [email protected] top speed: 176mph
1978 Fairmont 2.3 4-spd Big-top S/W
1946 Willys CJ2A 134.2ci L4 No-top
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georgechard Offline
Senior Member
#5
I HAVE PUT THE NEW ONE IN AND IT STILL MELTS.sorry for the caps.
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Pete D Offline
Posting Freak
#6
Then the switch itself is probably not the problem.
Maybe there is a short in the wiring or connector.
Pete Dunham
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georgechard Offline
Senior Member
#7
I guess It's possible but this is the same problem that I had with another turbo coupe.They both have had the same thing happen,They get hot and melt over time when I run the a/c on long trips.And it's worse if I also have the lights on.It melts where the switch and the wires conect together and burns out the switch.
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Footintim Offline
Member
#8
I agree with Pete D. also check all of your grounds wires.
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georgechard Offline
Senior Member
#9
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!
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