Catalina Key Switch

Hello everyone, it has been a few years since I have been on the site, after I finished the Pontiac I bought a 1976 Airstream so I have been on those sites asking dumb questions. I intermitten problem has began with my Pontiac, sometimes she wants to start some times not, random!, when she wont start with the key i lay a screw driver across the starter and she starts right up. does that tell me that the key switch is the problem??

next question: where can i find a new key switch? I see key switches in the Ames, and impala bobs catalogs , they look the same and have the same terminals on the back....would they work? in the catalog they say they are for a newer model full size pontiac or Impala

thanks

Hello Old Gold! The switch is the same to 57-61 Pontiac, 59-63 Olds, 61-63 Chev. pass, 63-64 Corvette. I Think it will be easy to find. Good Luck!

would you know the part # for the correct switch for my 59, without air?. I think the key switch that was in the car is not original becase it has an extra terminal that is not being used, GRD 1 the factory wire harness connector in my car is only a 6 pin and the switch i removed is a 7 pin.

Hi, The original part number for a switch is 1116558, fits all except AC. This number may not be suitable to aftermarked products.

Thanks for the help, but after more testing and erase arch I'm sure the switch is not the problem,all of the terminals on the switch that should have 12v do have 12v at the correct times. The batt terminal of the switch has its c
Constant 12v when I turn switch to start car that 12v shoul appear on the SOL terminal which it does.

My question now is where does that wire that is connected to the sol terminal on the switch go to?? The wire on the actual solenoid of the started I'd a purple and appears to be a ground wire.

I have found the problem. The wire from the key switch and the purple wire from the starter meet up at a small, switch like black half circle shepherd device that is mounted down near the brake pedal on the steering column. Moving that box around and pressing on it allows the car to crank.

It is called the hydro matic neutralizer switch, I'm guessing it is the way that the ignition switch knows that the car is in park since starting a car in gear would not be good. And I have learned that by wiggling the gear shifter that is on the column towards a certain direction will make the key switch unresponsive....which was my problem.