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My starter button gave out on my '39 Super-8. so I ordered a NOS button (which is on the left in the photo) and yesterday took out the bad one (the one on the right). They look the same head on, but mounting holes are different and the length difference is obvious. Today I took it to an old electric shop and they said you can't fix that, it's meant as a throwaway piece, and suggested checking clubs and the internet in general for a replacement. Does anyone know if other car companies, (Hudson, Buick, etc) used the same switch? It's about 2 inches long.

Thanks, Steve P.

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It appears the old switch has bent over tabs holding the phenolic terminal support. I would GENTLY bend the tabs up so you can remove the support and see what has happened. Depending on what has broken, it could be that it actually can be repaired and the guy just didn't want to mess with it. If you decide to do that be careful to hold pressure on the phenolic while disassembling so any springs or components won't come flying out.

If the contacts or the sliding plate has burned that might be a more serious issue but generally most of those switches can at least be examined and in most cases repaired. It doesn't work now so what have you got to lose in trying.

If there is room behind the switch for the extra length, and it is not repairable or if you do not find another switch an adapter plate could probably be made to accommodate the hole spacing and move the longer neck back so it fits in the dash properly.

Repaired by button by, as stated, carefully bending the tabs. After careful cleaning the contacts for the past ten years has worked pretty reliably. But not always, on occasion need to open the hood and use the button on the solenoid.

It appears the NOS switch is for a 1938. If your repair of your old button doesn't work, Max Merritt has the correct one listed in their catalog that matches your switch for a 1939.

Actually I opened it up and managed to shift the contacts forward about 1/16 of an inch so it now works unless I press it in all the way which passes the contacts and doesn't work. So I don't push it all the way in, I can live with that.

Steve

I had the same issue with my switch. I opened it up and saw that if I pushed it all the way it passed the contacts. No problem, if I push it too far I just come back about a 1/16" and the starter turns over.

Rick
'39 Super 8 (1703)

Rick, that's exactly my situation too!

Steve