Tim Wolfe Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 A friends 1949 Mercury will start up, but when ignition is turned to run it dies. Runs in the start position. New switch didn't help. What should we look for??? He's in another state so I'll have to explain it over the phone. ( older and hard of hearing too ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Sounds like the wiring is hooked up wrong on the switch to me. I have a 49 Coupe. (how long has it been like this?) I would start with that and get a wiring diagram to check it against. If it's the original harness you probably won't beable to see the colors any more so you may have to check and label the circuits first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 He installed an 8 volt battery and generator. Was told he had to install a resistor to protect his gauges, so he installed that. He forgot how the switch was wired, but he thought for sure he put the wires back where they were. I tried to find a wiring diagram for the switch, but haven't been able to do so yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) Does he have a 1949 Mercury Shop manual. That usually has the wiring diagrams in it. My Dad has one in his Merc, but it's about 60 miles from here. The 8 Volt battery Generator and resistor shouldn't make any difference so I would suspect a misconnected wire on the switch especially if that's when the trouble started. I think there are quite a few wires on that switch so it wouldn't be hard to get one on the wrong stud. I replaced the switch in my Dad's before I gave it to him as the key would fall out of it in any position. Edited June 17, 2015 by auburnseeker (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 I thought it was wiring too since it worked before he installed the resistor, he was sure he put the wires back the way they came off. Anyone have a wiring diagram they could post or email me? I'd drive over to help him. I rewired my '30 Chrysler and everything works fine. The wiring on a '49 and '50 mercury are different I'm told. I tried to find a diagram on the web and haven't found an ignition switch diagram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Why the 8 volt ? Put the 6 volt back in, take out the resistor and start over. There is no need for an 8 volt! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 I just located a diagram and it looks very simple, I'll go over to his state and help him out. It'll be good to visit with him. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Wayne--I agree with you. My 6 volt positive ground works fine with the proper size and clean wire connections. If it not broke -don't fix it! Tim Wolfe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 The symptoms of a bad resistor.Try jumping the resistor and see if it runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 If it was a MoPar, the ballast resistor would be the first place to look. In a Merc, it sounds like a wiring issue!Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 My Dad's 49 works fine with a good battery and clean connections and it's 6 volt. Starts good hot or cold. I cleaned up the wiring but it has the original harness in the middle of the car still including the dash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 He's going to haul it to a restoration shop that has a mechanic trained on electrical before he messes up more things. Thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBulldogMiller55Buick Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 He installed an 8 volt battery and generator. Was told he had to install a resistor to protect his gauges, so he installed that. He forgot how the switch was wired, but he thought for sure he put the wires back where they were. I tried to find a wiring diagram for the switch, but haven't been able to do so yet.For proper 8 volt and twelve volt wiring. the resistor protects the points while the engine is running (switch in run position) During cranking, the resistor is bypassed. Where the points receive full voltage. (switch in start position) Evidently, the circuit with the resistor is incomplete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thanks for all the input. Problem was resolves when he talked to a 90 year old man who told him what he did wrong!!!! Old timers are a great source of information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 So what did the problem end up being? Someone will probably dig this old thread up in a few years with the same problem and wonder what the fix was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thanks for all the input. Problem was resolves when he talked to a 90 year old man who told him what he did wrong!!!! Old timers are a great source of information.please share the old timers knowledge with us ! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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