1950 buick starter question

[Guest Peter Bird]

Hi guys. I accidentally fried my 1952 starter motor and was able to find a 1950 starter to suit. However, the 1950 starter has two terminals on the solenoid whereas my 52 has only one. Does anybody know how those two terminals are connected and to what?

Also: I have bypassed the famous foot on the accelerator start up on the buick and now operates with a key, so I am guessing at least one of these terminals went somewhere where it no longer needs to.

My ultimate aim is to start the car, so considering I have a keyed ignition, what do I do with the two terminals? Do I join them together? I am all out of ideas. Hope someone can help. Thanks dudes.

[Guest shadetree77]

Sorry I can't help Pete. I'm not familiar with the differences of the '50 starter. If you don't get any responses here though, you might want to re-post this in the Post War Buick section here: Buick - Post War - AACA Forums. Good Luck!

[Pete O]

Found this '50 wiring diagram. Looks like one side went to the GEN terminal on the voltage regulator, and the other to the "accelerator switch", which I imagine is the switch on the carburetor.

[Joseph P. Indusi]

In 1950, Buick mounted the starter "relay" that activates the starter "solenoid" on the starter solenoid. In either 1951 or 1952 they moved the starter "relay" to the firewall in front of the passenger. Follow the wiring diagram for the 1952 models. If you have bypassed the original starting system using the accelerator pedal, then use a spring loaded normally off push button under the dash in an inconspicous place.

Also, be sure the starter you are using is from the same model Buick; the series 70 Roadmasters had a more powerful starter for the 320 cubic inch engine.

Joe, BCA 33493

[Guest Peter Bird]

A big thanks, gents. Gives me enough to go on from there. Cheers. peter.

I tossed the old ignition switch because the gizzards had gone funny and put a new ignition switch on there, os I'm thinking if I run the solenoid to the ignition terminal on the switch (the one you hit after you turn ignition to "start") went crabby. I'll test it, at any rate. What I mean is, you need to wind the key all the way to the right to start it like a "normal" car, bypassing need for a switch. hope I am right?

Edited April 19, 2012 by Peter Bird (see edit history)

[Guest Commodore]

Here is a 1952 wiring diagram. How are you dealing with the Neutral Safety Switch?

It looks like you need to move the wire from the Neutral Safety Switch that went to the orginal Buick ignition switch to the Start terminal on the new ignition switch and then wire around the "Accelerator Switch" and it should work.