QUESTION: A.N. from Nebraska writes: You talk a lot about double solendoids on electric cars but nothing on gas cars that have the old 5306 key switch that never works. What can I do to replace that key switch, it keeps falling apart and I am frustrated with it?
ANSWER: The power circuit is battery positive to normally open side of solenoids. Selecting either solenoid 1 or 2 allows positive to flow out the jumper to F2 or F1 depending on forward or reverse mode. Let’s say for now we have selected solenoid 1. Then based on that selection positive will flow out the orange cable to F2 and through the fields and out F1 to normally closed contacts on solenoid 2. Positive then flows through the cable to F2 and through the fields and out F1 to normally closed contacts on solenoid 2. Positive then flows through blue cable to A2 and through the armature to A1 ground. You just reverse the flow selecting solenoid 2. NOTE: Wire colors vary as this is only guide.
You may choose what wire colors you wish to use. The sequence is all that matters.
