can anyone one explain to me or no of a resource to explain to me the way the ignition works on my 55 century? When i first bought the car the ignition wires under the hood(yellow and red i think) were connected on the throttle link and started the car everytime i stepped on the gas. I dont even know if thats someone's rigging or if its some crazy 50's engineering haha im embarrased to ask.
That's the way they were engineered, all the early buicks had that feature, the first I had was a '41, and I think they used that mechanism through at least '60
so, how exaclty would that work? i figure that i would constantly turn the starter everytime i step on the gas? i guess it doesnt make sense to me.
The switch on the carb is a vacuum switch, and once the car starts, the switch is inoperative.:TU: :TU:
thanks so much guys this is all soo helpful.I'm ebarassed to say it, but I cant remeber how or where the wire went to. Its been off for 4 months(when i first bought the car) does anyone have a pic of theirs or can tell me how to set it up, anything would be greatly appreciated:TU:
Looking at my 56 wiring diagram the red (pink)wire comes from the starter relay and goes to one side of the carb accelerator switch. The yellow wire goes on the other terminal on the carb switch and goes to the neutral safety switch (on the steering column). It wont matter which terminal the red or yellow wires go on at the carburettor.
can someone please post or attach a picture of where the two wires are connected, ive looked all over the internet and no luck, i would greatly appreciate this because its drving me nuts! o No: :blast:
Not a great picture but the best I have at the moment. The carb switch is on the left side of the carb as you look at the picture, just behind where the fuel line goes into the float bowl. Black in colour and oval shaped. Has a red and yellow wire attached. I can get another picture over next day or so if needed. Ross
You have a Carter carb by the look, mine is only a 2 barrel Stromberg and the vacuum switch is on the opposite side. If you look at your middle picture the carb switch is on the throttle linkage side of the carb, at the rear, tucked down behind the auxillary throttle lever, virtually where the carb hits the manifold. Should be black in colour and have 2 screws in the middle where the wires attach, facing the firewall. Getting closer ?
OH yes i found it! thank you, i couldnt find it becuase it wasnt hooked up to that switch to begin with, my only concern is that if its broken(the switch) where can i get one?
The switch on the carb rarely goes bad because there isn't much to the mechanism. I was told it's basically a small ball that moves with vaccuum. When there is no vaccuum it conects the two wires to crank the starter. If you're worried about the switch failing, why not hook an additional set of wires to a momentary on switch as back-up. havefun chad
Always remember that the wires that go to the carb switch are not protected by a fuse and if shorted to ground you will instantly fry your wire harness under the dash....tape the terminals if not connected. To manualy start you can jump across the 2 wires if the vacuum switch is inoperative; or jump the black wire coming up from the starter solenoid (where it attaches to the starter relay) to the positive battery terminal. the latter method by passes all safety switches so be sure the car in in N or P.
Hi there, i have a problem with my 55 buick century, when i bought the car i could start it by turning the ignitin swith and pressing the gas pedle but i don't know whats wrong, my car does not whnt to start when i press the gas pedle? Can anyone help me????
If you find the two wires that go to the switch on your carb, and jumper them .that should turn over the engine. If it does then you have a bad starter switch. You can take the switch off and clean it , and that might do the job. If not then remove the two wires from the switch and run them to a button under the dash. This will allow you to start it like most other cars. :TU:
