Hey guys, I have this issue with my ‘55 where it will occasionally fail to engage the starter when turning the key to the start position. Sometimes if I hold it in position it will suddenly go, sometimes I release and try again. Eventually it will work normally, and mostly it works on the first try. It’s just a little unsettling because when it doesn’t work, it does absolutely nothing, no click. No noise at all. It never has stopped mid-crank. I suspect something between the switch and the starter solenoid, but wondered if you might have other ideas. This is still a 6v system.  I edited my post here, because I think the relay that sits above the solenoid is for the horn, but seems to work when I jiggle the wires to it, maybe just coincidence.  Thanks for any advice!

It certainly sounds like a bad switch or a loose wire somewhere..  Check all the wires at the back of the switch, at the solenoid and the starter.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I would bypass the ignition switch and the wiring to the solenoid.  You can do this by first pulling the wire from the coil to the distributor (so the car will not start when you crank it), put the trans in neutral and then connect a heavy jumper wire between two of the terminals on the solenoid.  If you can duplicate the problem, then you know that the trouble is in the starter motor or Bendix drive and not the ignition switch or wiring from the switch to the solenoid.

Neutral safety switch??

64F100 57FAIRLANE500

If the problem is only intermittent - 

You are going to have to catch while in failure mode or point the PARTS CANNON at it..

Have someone turn the switch key to START. If no START have them hold the key in that position (with brake pedal depressed) while taking a test light and verifying HOT to the starter solenoid "S" PIN. Have helper slightly jiggle key in START position. 

If while jiggling the key the circuit becomes hot, it is most likely an IGN SW and/or wiring defect. If the pin becomes hot at first, suspect the solenoid.

Good idea concerning the NSS. While holding the key in START and no start, have the helper jiggle the shift lever slightly in NEUTRAL (be damn careful here).

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You can bypass the Neutral Switch by putting a jumper Wire between the 2 ends of wire going to switch or plug them together as they would for standard Transmission. Just be aware it will crank in any position of the Gearshift. Try that and see if problem continues. 

  

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.  I did discover that the trigger wire from the switch to the solenoid was about to break and did so when I went to pull on it.  I put a new eyelet connector on it and it seemed to improve the issue.  I thought it was fully cured.  I drove a couple days and it did it once on me very briefly.  I don't think it's the neutral safety switch, since it doesn't seem to matter if I move the gear selector around while turning the key, I guess it could be fully failing to complete the circuit.  I do have a remote start button, so I can bypass and switch things at the solenoid.  I ordered a new solenoid (NOS actually, I don't trust most of the new ones).  I'll put that on for good measure.  The old wiring is pretty brittle, but a previous owner changed out most all the end terminals for new crimp on ones.  I'm not sure that was a good thing.  At least it seems to be less frequent.  I'll keep experimenting.  Thanks again!