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

Coil should not be an issue with no cranking. Switch just twists into a spring latch in the bezel. Hold the bezel, push in the switch against it and turn slightly and it will release. If you decide to try the pushbutton, pick up something that will carry a fair amount of current 20-30 amps would be good. Cole-Hersee has some but something like this should be available lots of places.

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Thanks - I crawled under the dash and wiggled/tightened the connections around the ignition switch by hand. Much to my surprise it cranked over? So now I'll go back and spray the connections with electric contact spray and with small tools tighten everything. I'm hoping this was the problem. I'm finding a pattern of contacts that need to be cleaned on this car. Probably not uncommon.

Will keep fingers crossed. Corrosion is a big problem on lots of things that sat for a long time. Did any of the wires seem loose. Hopefully so and that is the problem, but if not, you may have just vibrated the terminal and switch so a connection was made possible--just like jiggling the key did the other time. Wouldn't call it out of the woods just yet.

The ignition switch bezel simple twists off on the '54 Clippers (push in and turn). So you can quickly pop it off and drop down the ignition switch to give you better access to the terminals.

For some reason the ignition switch is the easiest switch to remove (no tools needed), perfect for the car thief on the go.

Kev - this is a rookie question but when you reach in behind the dash and you grab the whole ignition switch unit do you turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise? Also - I'm sure I should disconnect a battery terminal so as not to accidently start the car or get a perm? Thanks