To Group, I am having issue’s with  the starter wiring. I am using an
after  market ignition switch from the auto parts store. It has four
terminals on it. They are marked as follows; Batt., Acc. , Ign., Str.
There were no instructions in the package. I also have an amp meter
that ties into the ignition switch. I have power from the buss to the
Batt. terminal, and I have another powered wire from one side of the
amp meter. This second wire is as per the amp meter instruction, only
it does not say which terminal to attach it to; so I have put it on
the ignition terminal. The third wire involved in the switch goes
from the terminal marked Str. to the starter solenoid.

Now the problem; when I turn the ignition switch to start, the engine
will turn over. This occurs regardless of whether the primary buss’s
switch is on or off. I know that the wire from the amp meter is hot,
so I probably have it connected to the wrong terminal; only which one
does it go to. Any suggestions. Frank


Use an ohm meter to check out the key switch and see what terminal
becomes hot when you turn the key to start.  Now connect that
terminal with 16 gage stranded wire to the starter contacter. That is
the small cylindrical device on the top of the starter. The contacter
is just a heavy duty relay.


The key switch is connected to any source of 12 volts.

Al least one terminal connects to all others from time to time
depending on the position of the key. That is the common terminal and
that is what is connected to the 12 volt supply.

A push button switch on the instrument panel will work as well.


Paul Lamar

If you tie the BAT terminal of your ignition switch straight to your battery
then it will be 'hot' all the time (I would put a fuse or circuit
breaker in the line) and
so will all of the accessories that you power from the ACC terminal of
the ignition switch.
Since you are using mags or separate switch(es) for the ignition you
don't need to worry
about the IGN terminal.  If you are wanting your ignition switched
through this ignition
switch (for security reasons<?), then you can go from the IGN terminal
either straight to
12volt pos of your ignition or to 2 other switches if you have IG1 and
IG2.  I would wire
the ampere meter between the 12 volt power source and the BAT terminal
of your ignition switch.
That way you will monitor all current flow through the ignition switch.

You can wire your power bus strip to the  ACC terminal of the ignition
switch for further security
but you'll have to have the key turned to the accessory positon of the
ignition switch in order to
have current to the radios, lights, etc.

Another way to wire it would be to wire the BAT terminal to your power
bus (or Master Switch) and
use only the STR terminal (and IGN, if you want it key protected). If
you do that then put the Ampere meter
between the master switch and the power bus and you will measure all the
current that flows
through it.

Either way you do it use the STR terminal as Paul illustrated.

roger paxton