1964 Chevy El Camino Ignition Switch

Tiny
CURT101
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  • 1964 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
Electrical problem
1964 Chevy El Camino V8 Two Wheel Drive Manual? Miles

I recently had starting problems with my 64 El Camino that made me think the starter was failing. The starter would make a slow grungy sound before fully engaging, and then it just quit turning. Upon removal of the starter it was obvious that it had seen better days. I bought a new one and installed it. When I tried to start it I got nothing. Not even a solenoid click. Starter is connected correctly and starts when you cross the solenoid and battery cable at starter with a screw driver. I was told if this works the starter/solenoid are good. I also am getting a 12 v reading from the ignition switch wire that runs to the solenoid. I was told it may be the ignition switch even though I am getting a 12 v reading on my multimeter when the ignition switch is turned to start. I removed the ignition switch and noticed there was areas that look as though it got hot at one time on the plastic connector that connects to the back of the switch. No further investigation at this time. Any ignition switch experts out here?
Monday, September 14th, 2009 AT 10:17 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
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Jumper the neutral safety switch and see what happens while in cranking position
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 2:06 AM
Tiny
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Its a 4 speed. I don't think I would have one would I?
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
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My bad didn't look at it good-try jumping the clutch switch if it cranks over the switch is good if not replace it-nothing happens whether you jump it or not- test the ignition switch again-What is it doing now?
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
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Nothing. No click, no turn. When you turn the key to start there is 12 volts to the solenoid from ignition just not sure about amps though.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
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You got 12volts at the starter solenoid and battery terminal properly tightened and its not cranking over-get the starter load tested
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
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Take the starter back out and have it tested?

My parts guy who is pretty knowledgeable said if you cross the solenoid and battery cable terminal on starter and it starts that they both should be good. Is this not true?
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
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When you short out the starter solenoid the engine should crank over -if not you have a starter problem. Now if you're talking about its cranking over and will not starter its a different story
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
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So what I just did was disconnect the plastic plug from the ignition switch and made a jumper cable from the solenoid to battery connections on the plug and the ever so slightly reconnected the positive battery terminal and it wanted to start. I am now assuming the ignition switch is bad.
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 AT 8:30 PM
Tiny
THEROGUE19090
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Curt I owned 2 64 Chevelle SS convertibles and a 64 El Camino they all had the same problem. I wired a starter button directly to the starter as a temporary fix. The problem would occur when it got hot the wiring harness had a ground issue that I never really tracked down. I think the main harness plug connection was where the problem originated but I never found a good wiring harness to replace it with to try it. The convertibles were automatics and the neutral safety switch was not the problem. Like you I replaced the starter and once it got hot would barely turn over. If I jumped it directly at the solenoid it would crank like a champ. In frustration I wired the starters directly with a push button under the dash and hid it out of sight. I know its not the fix you wanted to hear but I spent years playing around with them trying to figure out which part of the ground was bad. It could even be the body grounds are rusty and weak causing the issue. I am curious did your right rear frame box rust out? The El Camino and 1 of the Convertibles suffered from that as well.
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 1:42 AM

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