MTFCA Forum

I respond to you in the Classifieds with what I have for sale

Hey Bob.. if you go over to Tractor Supply they'll have that on the shelf. Keep the bracket, just replace the switch and the plunger.

I would advise searching out a much more reliable original than any of the later replacements, which are prone to failure and safety issues.

Allan from down under.

Original Ford starter switches have become quite rare... And the replacement modern versions have been very very inferior with use as they tend to heat up very quick and the contacts weld together. Yes, the starter switches available as pictured from Tractor Supply may not be the greatest compared to original Ford starter switch, yes they will fail in time, but in my opinion are the best ones to have for replacement in the present.

Jugster wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:53 pm

I've been having trouble locating what used to be an easy-to-find part. Anybody know a supplier who still has this style of starter-button?
jugflyer@aol.com

Do you need the switch & mounting plate or just the switch?

Time to think out side box and fit a square peg into a round hole. Time to do what has kept the Model T Ford operating for over 100 years. Farm yard blacksmithing.

Model T replacement starter switch - from a supplier.
Starter switch found at/with a tractor supply source.

I had a similar style switch FAIL in my '26 (see above). It bent and welded itself on with the motor running. Thank goodness I had a battery disconnect switch within reach.
I've since done away with the cheapo foot switch and gone to a push button going thru a 6v solenoid from a late '40s ford pickup.
BE careful which foot switch you pick!

That IS NOT the same switch you posted your photo of - yours is the CHEAP IMPORTED junk one !!!

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:04 pm

That IS NOT the same switch you posted your photo of - yours is the CHEAP IMPORTED junk one !!!

I stand corrected, and I thank you for pointing out my error.

And I'm grateful that you agree that my posted burnt up switch is "CHEAP IMPORTED JUNK..."
That's why I upgraded to a safer system, and with a fuse no less....

Good day all
Are starter buttons prone to failure from using 12volt batteries instead of 6?

12 volts applied to a 6 volt starter will tend to damage the starter switch, among other things. However, the modern replacement switches are well-known to be failure-prone, even in normal service. In the case of 12 volts applied to a 12 volt starter, the starter switch failure rate could be expected to be in the normal range. Applying 12 volts to a 6 volt starter is to be avoided.

If you use your car often, and cannot obtain a good original switch, adding a solenoid starter switch is a good idea.

Adding a solenoid to the starter circuit will preserve your starter switch because less amperage will pass through the contacts - basically it would operate as a push button but look authentic. The diagram below would allow it to be used on 6v or 12v

I also found out the hard way Dan many years ago before the USA made ones became available through our vendors !!!

It sure would be a terrible shame to lose a car, or to have someone suffer an injury or worse.
Stay alert-stay alive out there in model t land!

Moral of story is all switches are not created equal. Just because it's shiny and new doesn't mean it's good for you!

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 01, 2022 12:27 pm

I also found out the hard way Dan many years ago before the USA made ones became available through our vendors !!!

I've owned my '23 for 8 yrs. But the last three have been an intense self education restoring my '26 piece by piece.
I've encountered inferior repro parts in just a few instances. But this one was nearly fatal.
(P.S. - nice wheels on the Rajo Steve!)

Put me in with the crowd that uses a solenoid to save the original switch. a solenoid for a 66 f100 ford pickup will fit the top 2 bolts holding the steering column to the dash,a couple extra wires and use the original switch to make the solenoid work.

tdump wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 01, 2022 9:35 pm

Put me in with the crowd that uses a solenoid to save the original switch. a solenoid for a 66 f100 ford pickup will fit the top 2 bolts holding the steering column to the dash,a couple extra wires and use the original switch to make the solenoid work.

The switch I used was a 20Amp and it has a 25 amp fuse inline too. Just in case....
Red cutoff switch on left. Starter button on right in pic.