Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hello,
Just inherited a 1948 Coupe, 2211 model from my father in law. Car will not start. He informed me its some device that needs to activate when you press the gas pedal. Where is the device located and what is it called? Thank you in advance.

It probably has a switch located on the carburetor base. That would close when the pedal was floored to activate the starter. There are other parts involved, such as the starter solenoid and perhaps the voltage regulator or a vacuum switch. The switch is fairly easy to locate and test.

The starting switch is called a carburetor starting switch and the 48 2211 chassis should not have the large 356 engine and no automatic transmission so there should not be any extra starting interlocks. Just make sure the transmission is in neutral or clutch is depressed. Turn the key on, push the accelerator to the floor and the starter motor should operate.

Note that in some instances the carburetor starting switch was bypassed if it failed or sometimes due to owner preference and a regular pushbutton start installed. In other cases a pushbutton was wired in so both it or the carburetor switch could be used. Those pushbuttons were often mounted out of sight under the dash edge.

The starting switch is a black plastic object on the rear side of the carburetor. The location varies by carburetor model but I think yours may be lower down toward the passenger side of carburetor base. It should have two wires connected -- one on each side of the switch. It is activated when the accelerator pedal is pushed almost all the way to the floor. When the starter switch is activated it connects 6 volts coming from the ign switch to the small terminal on top of the starter solenoid to energize the starter motor. The solenoid is positioned on top of the starter motor.

I'm assuming you have a charged 6V battery connected, and (for example) the headlights work when you turn the key on?

How long has it been parked? Maybe the points need cleaned a bit.

Hope these are of some help to you.

For purposes of just to get it running, if the carb switch if faulty it won't start, take a ~foot length of 12 GA wire and attach two spade terminals one on each end. Connect one end to each side of the carb switch screw terminals to in effect by-pass it.

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46-48_Repair_Tuneup_Manual.pdf Size: 6,947.54 KB; Hits: 49
Carb switch.pdf Size: 229.37 KB; Hits: 67

G'day Luis Espinosa,
to PackardInfo.

I invite you to include your '48 Coupe in PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

been sitting for 5 years. He would start it up occasionally, but was having issues starting lately, until I inherited it. Battery is charged, engine turns, but might be the switch on the carb

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I appreciate your knowledge. Follow up questions, what are some good website to purchase parts in the future? Also is the plastic carburetor component available at local Auto zone or O'Reilly?

Usually the plastic starter switch fails because the metal ball inside gets rusty and/or the contacts get dirty. I would try to take it apart and clean it well. Then it work just fine. Common issue.

Regular part stores will not carry that or anything for your carb. Too old.

You have to go through either a Packard vendor or someone like Daytona Carb who specializes in old carbs.

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If the engine turns then the switch on the carburetor is working so check the points (both that they are clean and that they are properly adjusted), then be sure that the carburetor is getting fuel.