cheap crappy ignition switches? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JesseA422 · 08-13-2019, 06:59 AM

shortly after building a bbc last year for my 77, i had a no start condition (cranked fine), and chased it to bad contacts in the ignition switch. i replaced it with a unit from autozone, and i didnt have an issue for the past year.
2 weeks ago i once again had a no start condition. it seemed like i was once again having low voltage to the distributor (HEI, resistor removed from distributor wire). i once again replaced the ignition switch with another unit, this time from napa. after replacement, truck fired no problem for the past 2 weeks.
this morning i went to drive my truck to work and once again, cranks fine but no start. truck starts fine if i run a jumper straight from battery to distributor batt terminal. im going to replace the switch again soon.

is this a seemingly bad string of ignition switches, or is there some other issue at play making these switches go bad?

**Palf70Step** · 08-13-2019, 10:06 AM

There is an adjustment on the ignition switches where it mounts. If it is off a hair or not tightened securely, the conditions you are having will occur.

Bench test it before you try another one. This video helped me out with mine. Once I got the areas figured out (I also marked it with a sharpie so I could see it when I mounted it). Once installed, make sure the screws are secured tightly so it would slide at all during use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYaSCV2ICwA

**hatzie** · 08-13-2019, 11:58 AM

If the switch bench tests good then it's likely adjustment.

If not you're on the cheap crap Chinesium parts merry-go=round...

Did you get the Mileage Plus brand or Echlin at NAPA? I wouldn't trust a Mileage Plus switch as far as I could throw it.

Echlin used to be Standard Motor Products. Not sure whether they're still making them for NAPA or not. NAPA is re-boxing/re-labeling a bunch of DORMAN Chinesium parts now so...

AC Delco used to be a goto on these kinda things but they are now AC Delco Chinesium...

Autozone Duralast is either Wells or BWD. Again Chinesium. Neither are trustworthy in my book.

JesseA422 · 08-13-2019, 12:22 PM

yeah, the one in there now is the mileage plus unit. ugh. they had the echlin one but i cheaped out lol.
when i installed it, i tried to set it approx. in the same spot of the slotted mounting holes as before.
i will try playing with the mounting position before pulling it out and bench testing it.

JesseA422 · 08-14-2019, 08:14 AM

just an update, i played with the mounting position for quite a while with no luck, so i went and picked up a echlin one, and it fired right up.

i guess im in the **** part roulette. bummer.

**hatzie** · 08-14-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesseA422

just an update, i played with the mounting position for quite a while with no luck, so i went and picked up a echlin one, and it fired right up.

i guess im in the **** part roulette. bummer.

Echlin used to be decent quality. Hopefully they still are.

08-13-2019, 06:59 AM	#1
JesseA422 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: NE Posts: 16	cheap crappy ignition switches? shortly after building a bbc last year for my 77, i had a no start condition (cranked fine), and chased it to bad contacts in the ignition switch. i replaced it with a unit from autozone, and i didnt have an issue for the past year. 2 weeks ago i once again had a no start condition. it seemed like i was once again having low voltage to the distributor (HEI, resistor removed from distributor wire). i once again replaced the ignition switch with another unit, this time from napa. after replacement, truck fired no problem for the past 2 weeks. this morning i went to drive my truck to work and once again, cranks fine but no start. truck starts fine if i run a jumper straight from battery to distributor batt terminal. im going to replace the switch again soon. is this a seemingly bad string of ignition switches, or is there some other issue at play making these switches go bad? Last edited by JesseA422; 08-13-2019 at 07:11 AM.

08-13-2019, 10:06 AM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,228	Re: cheap crappy ignition switches? There is an adjustment on the ignition switches where it mounts. If it is off a hair or not tightened securely, the conditions you are having will occur. Bench test it before you try another one. This video helped me out with mine. Once I got the areas figured out (I also marked it with a sharpie so I could see it when I mounted it). Once installed, make sure the screws are secured tightly so it would slide at all during use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYaSCV2ICwA __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-13-2019, 11:58 AM	#3
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: cheap crappy ignition switches? If the switch bench tests good then it's likely adjustment. If not you're on the cheap crap Chinesium parts merry-go=round... Did you get the Mileage Plus brand or Echlin at NAPA? I wouldn't trust a Mileage Plus switch as far as I could throw it. Echlin used to be Standard Motor Products. Not sure whether they're still making them for NAPA or not. NAPA is re-boxing/re-labeling a bunch of DORMAN Chinesium parts now so... AC Delco used to be a goto on these kinda things but they are now AC Delco Chinesium... Autozone Duralast is either Wells or BWD. Again Chinesium. Neither are trustworthy in my book. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

08-13-2019, 12:22 PM	#4
JesseA422 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: NE Posts: 16	Re: cheap crappy ignition switches? yeah, the one in there now is the mileage plus unit. ugh. they had the echlin one but i cheaped out lol. when i installed it, i tried to set it approx. in the same spot of the slotted mounting holes as before. i will try playing with the mounting position before pulling it out and bench testing it.

08-14-2019, 08:14 AM	#5
JesseA422 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: NE Posts: 16	Re: cheap crappy ignition switches? just an update, i played with the mounting position for quite a while with no luck, so i went and picked up a echlin one, and it fired right up. i guess im in the **** part roulette. bummer.



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