Ignition switches

[al larivee]

I bought a 1965 T-BIRD about 2 years ago.It runs fine except it keeps on eating ignition switches, also the fuel guage,and the speedometer don't work. Can anyone tell me what to look for regarding these 3 issues? Thank You

 

[tbird5866]

If we had some idea what happens to the ignition switch, or what is happening to the speedometer, or what you see going on with the fuel gauge, someone on the forum could give you a clue or a solution.

 

[Darrellinceres]

Eating Ignition Switches is going to be a short or something wired thought the switch that shouldn't be like power windows when the relay fails. You'll have to start by figuring out which curcuit is overloading and when through the switch. This is probably the toughest one to figure out. Look for thing that have been rewired or wires that aren't factory. If you have power windows look at the relay on the firewall in the engine compartment and see if someone has hooked two of the wires together. One is to the window controls, one is 12v hot all the time and one is switched from the ignition switch to control the relay. When the relay fails poeple usually jumper around the relay to make the windows work. Check your fuse panel and see if you have any fuses that are larger then they should be.

Fuel Gauge is usually the sending unit in the tank. I'd start there.

Speedo could be a bad cable, broken platic gear in trany or bad speedo.

If you don't have it yet a shop manual will help you troubleshoot these problems.

Don't let Harleys bruntness discurage you for asking for help.

 

[al larivee]

I finally spent the extra money and bought an igniyion switch from the Ford Dealer. Now that that problem is solved I'll go into the fuel tank to replace the sending unit. Then on to the speedometer cable. Thanks for all your help. I've had the car on the back burner as i had quadruple by-pass suguery backin December.