Cut-off switch

[WWubker]

Did the Mk II have a battery cut-off switch? If so, where is it located?

[Barry Wolk]

No, it did not have a cut-off switch from the factory. Follow the leads from the battery. The negative cable goes to the engine block. The positive cable goes directly to the starter solenoid on the firewall, under the fuse box. From the opposite terminal the wire goes to the starter.

If there is a disconnect, it'll be along those cables.

However, it would be a simple matter to install a kill switch that controlled the power to the starter circuit.

You can test either situation by putting a jumper between the hot terminal on the solenoid to the smaller start terminal. That will test the solenoid.

Another thing to check would be the solenoid mounting itself. It has to be tight as that's the ground connection. There's also a ground strap between the firewall and the engine block that could be loose.

Start looking at those things and let us know if you need further help.

Welcome to the site.

[Doc]

As always, great information from Barry.

The other thing to remember--if you're new to your MKII--is that they start in N, not in P. I've had frustrated mechanics not catch on to that little quirk...

Welcome to the forum.

[Barry Wolk]

D'oh! I should have remembered to tell him about that. Made the shipper crazy once. I started it and he put it on the truck. I forgot to tell him and he had to call me from the destination.:o

Somebody used to make a replacement kit that let you start in Park.

[MKII]

Yes! Jack Rosen offers the conversion kit. I thought of getting it, but ended up deciding that part of the attractive of our old car is that they have some special things you have to learn and live with them, so I decided to keep it starting in Neutral, though I forget every once in a while to do it myself.

Victor

[SLK]

I think of it as our own little security system. These days, how many others will know they need to start in neutral.

[Chuck Lutz]

This might be a silly question.. but was the (N) start a common thing in the Mid 50's? I remember the floor starter button on the old trucks and probably cars but somehow the (N) thing got by me.

[Mad Scientist]

but ended up deciding that part of the attractive of our old car is that they have some special things you have to learn and live with them,

Victor

It is "attractive" until you try starting the car after parking an a steep hill. Shift in to neutral and car starts to roll down hill.:D Step on brake peddle but without vacuum car continues to roll, yank on parking brake, car still rolling, put both feet on brake peddle push for all your worth, car slows down slightly, frantically start engine to get the vacuum assist.:eek:

[nico]

The old GM 4 speed was like that as well. It has no park position as such. You put it in R and shut of the engine which applies the park pawl. Now you can't start the car untill you put it in N, on the positive side the park brake cables will never seize up from lack of use.

[Ian Cowie]

I bought a simple battery cutoff switch last week ... similar to this one on Amazon. Princess Auto here in Canada for $10. Just slip off the Neg battery cable and slip it onto the male post of the switch. Slide the female end of the switch onto the battery post, tighten the connections and you're done!
Simple twist of the green knob and the battery is either connected or disconnected. No more wrench and pulling off the cable!

Interestingly I noticed the starting in N mentioned in the owner's manual but my car starts in P ... go figure?! Never thought much about it until I came across these postings. Somebody has done something to my car!

[Barry Wolk]

Sorry Ian, those shut-offs are junk. Mine left me stranded a few times until I figured out that the small surface area of the two mating surfaces is insufficient to start our cars after awhile.

Not saying you shouldn't use it, just saying you should travel with a box wrench and battery terminal cleaner WHEN the switch fails. You'll need it to reinstall the cable back on the battery.

One of my most embarrassing moments was being pushed across the awards stage at The Orphan Car Show due to a battery disconnect just like that that looked fine externally, but all corroded inside.

All I do now is disconnect my interior light/clock fuse at the beginning of the storage season. Without the clock drain the battery doesn't go dead.

[Ian Cowie]

Good advice Barry ... thanks.

I think I have come to the realization that if you drive a 54 year old car ... you should always throw a toolbox in the trunk!

Ian