Ignition Switch Cable

[Roger the Dodger]

I took the dash out of my 1952 D40 Dodge to replace the speedo. I found an armoured cable going from the ignition switch to the firewall. A single wire comes out on the engine side. Why the heavy duty cover on the wire and where does the wire go ?

Thanks, Roger.

[desoto1939]

If you have a firewall mounted style coil then the coil was bolted to the firewall. The back came through the firewall into the cab. There should be a metal plate then that attached to the back of the coil. The wire was screwed into the coil. The other contat on the coil was then wired to the distributer .

The armored cable was to protect the wire going to the coil. The was used on most of the 30-40's car.

This is what I have on my 39 desoto.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Young Ed]

The early 50s cars have an armored cable off the ignition that goes through the firewall. Its some sorta security device to prevent hotwiring. If you are careful you can sorta pry the cable piece off and replace the wire.

[Roger the Dodger]

If you have a firewall mounted style coil then the coil was bolted to the firewall. The back came through the firewall into the cab. There should be a metal plate then that attached to the back of the coil. The wire was screwed into the coil. The other contat on the coil was then wired to the distributer .

The armored cable was to protect the wire going to the coil. The was used on most of the 30-40's car.

This is what I have on my 39 desoto.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Thanks Rich, my car has an engine mounted coil. Roger

[Roger the Dodger]

The early 50s cars have an armored cable off the ignition that goes through the firewall. Its some sorta security device to prevent hotwiring. If you are careful you can sorta pry the cable piece off and replace the wire.

Thanks Young Ed, I will try to remove the cable as the wire coming out of it has perished insulation, and needs replacing. Roger.

[Powerhouse]

I just did that to my 39 ply ignition. It's best to use hack saw on that sleeve...go slow. I couldn't get into the switch to the base of the wire. I had to solder a new wire to the original that was still accessible form the back of the switch. and then...my key would not turn! It did after a while but it's VERY VERY TIGHT!

[Roger the Dodger]

I just did that to my 39 ply ignition. It's best to use hack saw on that sleeve...go slow. I couldn't get into the switch to the base of the wire. I had to solder a new wire to the original that was still accessible form the back of the switch. and then...my key would not turn! It did after a while but it's VERY VERY TIGHT!

I wonder why the key is tight ? Today I put a new wire from the end of the cable to the coil and put a working speedo in. When I went to pick up the speedo my mate had it in a complete dash, so I bought the lot. I will try cutting the cable on the Ign switch that is in that dash.Although now I have a spare dash maybe I can customise the back to take a later Mopar Ign switch. Roger

[JerseyHarold]

I don't know if this applies to export vehicles, but 1953-up ignition switches interchange with 1951-52 switches and they don't have the armored cable, just regular wire connections. I did this on my '52 Plymouth and it works fine.

[Roger the Dodger]

I don't know if this applies to export vehicles, but 1953-up ignition switches interchange with 1951-52 switches and they don't have the armored cable, just regular wire connections. I did this on my '52 Plymouth and it works fine.

Thanks Harold, I thought there must be something that fits without cutting up the back of the dash. Roger