Ignition wiring.

Ok, so I lost my key to my 56 cj5. It has an aftermarket wiring kit with a fuse box for all the accessories, (guages, 1 windshield wiper). I was thinking about hooking it up with just a switch and a button for the starter. The accessories all come in on one wire, it is attached to a four hole plug that attached to the ACC, IGN, ST, and BAT terminals on the ignition switch. What I need to know is if I can just get a high amp, (lets say 50amp) switch to supply power to everything and then just run the starter off of one 15amp universal momentary starter button. Since I have a fuse box, I shouldn't have to worry about having too high of an amp rating on the switch right?,. Or am I completely confused on how to hook this up?

 

My old CJ2A had a two position switch in it. just Off and Run. With a push button to start. That's the way I got it.
I used a light switch for the house for an emergency ignition switch. Just something I kept in the tool box. I have lost keys, but it has been a while.monkeys

 

If you are concerned about the cost of a switch I agree a universal switch is around $10. If you take the switch out of the dash and take it to a locksmith they will make a key for around $15 here, the big expense using a locksmith around here is the service call runs $35-50.

If I understand correctly you are talking about using 2 fuses a 50 and 15. In order to protect the wiring you need to run a fuse on each circuit properly sizing the fuse to the wire size. If everything is wired with 8 ga then a 50 amp fuse is OK but if your wipers are wired with 14 ga wire they need to be protected with a 10 or 15 amp fuse. The same goes for each circut.

 

I was actually talking about the amp rating for the switch itself, I do have a fuse box, so the only things without a fuse would be the ignition coil, (but it is the internal resistor type), and the starter. I just didnt want to fry the switch I am using and risk starting a fire or anything. I found a 50amp fuse a t Autozone for $5.00 by the way.....

 

Why complicate it by fusing, extra push buttons, extra wiring etc. NAPA carries these ign switches, direct hole fit and correct terminals etc. Not really expensive unless you want the weather-proof one.

 

the fuse box is already hooked up, I just wanted keyless ignition and wanted to make sure that I dont catch anything on fire by using the wrong amp rated switches, so I went ahead and got the 50amp switch since it will be controling all my accesories along with the coil and starter.

 

I have also looked at using switches instead of a key. It's cool, it's convenient, & you don't need to worry about losing the key (again). Having said all of that, I did go ahead and buy a new keyed ignition switch from Carquest - exact fit.

Anyway, check out a couple of web sites: madelectrical and 12volt guy. Some pretty cool info.

 

Most any autoparts store will carry momentary pushbuttons for cranking a motor over.

Even though it's only running the starter solonoid, it still pulls a decent amount of current. I wouldn't feel good 'long term' with a 15 amp button for the starter.

I like the aftermarket key switch (again, avaliable about anywhere) because it has an "acc" pole on it. That way you can run what you want without burning up the points or coil if doing it without the engine running.

 

well, I went ahead and hooked it up with the 50amp switch, and the starter button,(nearly all of the generic ignition switches that I saw were rated at 15amp). It worked first try, no wires got hot, and it even made it the twenty round trip miles to work and back. Now I just need to put a switch in line for the coil, and hide it on the firewall so that I can turn it off to prevent theft in high crime areas.
Thanks for the replies.

 

Not a bad idea!