What is in the steering colum?

Discussion in 'General Ranchero Help' started by John Roman, Dec 20, 2016.

  1. John Roman

    John Roman In Third Gear

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    Location:
    Woodland, California
    I have a question for all you genius. If I remove my steering wheel from my 70 Ranchero to expose the turn signal indicator the is a purple wire I believe that that is making contact with the ignition switch. What does that contact do? Can this contact keep my Ranchero from starting? If not I will be having some questions about troubleshooting a GM style HEI ignition.
     
  2. burninbush

    burninbush In Maximum Overdrive

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    I believe there is a light somewhere that shows you have the ignition key in the socket? Guessing that's what you are talking about. Have never seen my indicator, but the switch is there and it makes contact when the key is inserted. Don't think it will keep it from starting. If it does, a simple 'hotwire' will get it running again.
     
  3. burninbush

    burninbush In Maximum Overdrive

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    Modify that above: think it goes to a time-delay relay which includes a buzzer? Probably won't inhibit starting. You can test it by removing the single screw which holds the wire switch -- see if it'll still start. On the Ford drawing it feeds something called an 'ignition indicator'.
     
  4. 72GTVA

    72GTVA Administrator Staff Member

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    I thought it was the key warning buzzer... (wire present regardless of buzzer installed or not.)
     
  5. burninbush

    burninbush In Maximum Overdrive

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    Right, that's what it looks like to me. The drawing doesn't say anything about a buzzer, but that's what ignition indicator looks like.
     
  6. handy_andy_cv64

    handy_andy_cv64 In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

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    If it's purple, it is the key minder lead. Has nothing to do with starter inhibition or any other such things.
     
  7. handy_andy_cv64

    handy_andy_cv64 In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

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    And are you going to make a thread about the HEI-style ignition?
     
  8. John Roman

    John Roman In Third Gear

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    156
    Location:
    Woodland, California
    Yes because I am still having problems.
     
  9. handy_andy_cv64

    handy_andy_cv64 In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

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    If you have any questions, you're welcome to PM me.
     

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