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dsraven · 07-10-2018, 04:03 PM

does your starter solenoid switch look like this, with a small terminal on the side? the black wire would go there and up to the coil (+). the black wire gives the coil full power when the starter is engaged for a nice hot spark. when the foot pedal is released the ign switch feeds power to the coil through a ballast resistor to reduce voltage to the coil when running. otherwise the ign contact points, condensor and coil burn out prematurely. battery cable pos goes on the larger terminal at the starter. purple wire gets capped and shrink tubed on both ends, if your harness has it, because it would normally feed the starter solenoid from the key switch on the dash if you didn't have a pedal operated starter. yours has foot pedal linkage that pushes against the button on this switch to give the starter motor power when pushed. the linkage also pushes the starter drive into the flywheel ring gear when the lever is moved towards the switch button. make sure there is free moving linkage and a return spring on the pedal linkage.

see the pic and starter info here when you scroll down

http://oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index...ag/mechanical/

here is the switch with the terminal for the ign coil

https://www.classicparts.com/1947-59...ctinfo/53-712/

hope that helps you out.

07-10-2018, 04:03 PM	#10
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,830	Re: 1959 GMC foot start wiring does your starter solenoid switch look like this, with a small terminal on the side? the black wire would go there and up to the coil (+). the black wire gives the coil full power when the starter is engaged for a nice hot spark. when the foot pedal is released the ign switch feeds power to the coil through a ballast resistor to reduce voltage to the coil when running. otherwise the ign contact points, condensor and coil burn out prematurely. battery cable pos goes on the larger terminal at the starter. purple wire gets capped and shrink tubed on both ends, if your harness has it, because it would normally feed the starter solenoid from the key switch on the dash if you didn't have a pedal operated starter. yours has foot pedal linkage that pushes against the button on this switch to give the starter motor power when pushed. the linkage also pushes the starter drive into the flywheel ring gear when the lever is moved towards the switch button. make sure there is free moving linkage and a return spring on the pedal linkage. see the pic and starter info here when you scroll down http://oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index...ag/mechanical/ here is the switch with the terminal for the ign coil https://www.classicparts.com/1947-59...ctinfo/53-712/ hope that helps you out.