Re: [AMC-List] '62 Ambassador with 327 - starter wiring question

[farna@xxxxxxx]

I'm looking atthe 62 auto trans strating circuit now. There are no blue wires to the starter, just a red and green. The red one should be connected to the same post as the wire from the battery. The green one is connected to the other post on the solenoid. 

There is a blue wire listed though. It is the kick-down wire for the transmission. There should be a kick-down switch on the throttle linkage somewhere. Then the blue wire runs into the transmission. 

As Tom pointed out, the vacuum switch is indeed a neutral safety switch. There should be a red wire running to one post if it has two, the other post would be grounded. If there is only one post it grounds through the body. 

These starters have an arm that pushes in an over running clutch. If the clutch or solenoid is bad it won't engage. The solenoid is pretty easy to check. Just look at the starter while someone turns the switch to the "start" position. You can see the solenoid pull the arm in. According to the TSM "the pinion (gear) on the over running clutch should turn freely in one direction and should lock in the other direction. Replace the clutch if it fails to check as above or if the pinion is excessively worn or damaged." It also states that it should be wiped or brushed with solvent, but NEVER submerged since that will wash out any lubricant, which can't be replaced. 

If you think you need a new starter take it to a local auto or industrial electric rebuilder. Look in the yellow pages and make a few phone calls. You might have to send it off to be rebuilt. The clutch is held onto the end of the armature with a snap ring. The nose of the starter comes off without distrubing the brushes, which are in the back. Just make sure you push the pinion gear/clutch in as you're pulling the nose off so you don't pull the armature out. You might be able to find a replacement over running clutch and install yourself. It's an Autolite MDY-6009 starter. 

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---original message--------------------

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006, Justin Shelton wrote:

> I got a '62 Ambassador, 327 with AT, yesterday
> morning.  
> When I was under the car looking at the starter, I see
> that a blue wire off the starter is cut.  
<SNIP>
>Also, when I had the air cleaner off the car, I noticed that part
>of the wiring harness is disconnected.  Right behind
>the coil, there are three wires that come off the
>harness, a yellow to the coil, an orange one (I think)
>to coolant temp sensor, and then a disconnected red
>one.  It looks to me like the disconnected red one is
>supposed to plug into that vacuum sensor that prevents
>the starter from engaging when you shift into neutral
>while the car is running.  If I have identified it
>right, this sensor is on the intake manifold right
>behind the carburetor, but the plug was busted off of it. 
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