1949 Push button for starter.

[Dewane Ollech]

For long time members, I recently inherited the Legacy Cadillac that was featured a while back in the Self Starter.

Please let me know how to remove the push button for the starter from the dash. I don't want to break or damage anything. A wire has come off the starter button.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

As I recall, the button is held on by a U-clamp which is held on by a slotted screw in the middle of the back. Jay, am I right?

[Jay Friedman]

As I recall, the button is held on by a U-clamp which is held on by a slotted screw in the middle of the back. Jay, am I right?

Barry, I'm pretty sure you are right, though it's been some years since I removed one of those and my memory is a bit hazy.  I do remember that it is not an easy job as the space is tight behind the dash around that mechanism.  Also, I'm out of town for 10 days and don't have my own '49 nearby to look at.   

Dewane, I suggest you email or call Joe Cutler, the other 49 tech advisor at 49caddymanemail addresses not permitted or 508-476-3490 and ask him about it, since I recall discussing this with him some years back.

[Dewane Ollech]

Thanks for the advice. I sent an e-mail to Joe. It seems like it should be simple, but I guess not so much.

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

 The outer chrome ring is all that holds it in place.

Click on pictures to enlarge: http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=120814.0

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

That's right. The bezel has a dimple in it to help get it started. Duh!

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

That's a picture of the ignition switch not the starter switch.  The starter switch is just a push button. I believe Barry and Jay are right.  There is a "U" shaped bracket on the back held to the switch by a screw.  This is from memory on my part also. I just tried to look at it but it takes more gymnastic than I could do right now. You just have to get your eyes on the back and it will be obvious how to remove.  The hard part is getting eyes on it.

[Jay Friedman]

That's a picture of the ignition switch not the starter switch.  The starter switch is just a push button.

Am I correct in assuming it may help if the ignition switch is first pulled out of its hole (with the wires attached) before removing the starter button?  As Jeff and Barry said, it's easy to pull out the ignition switch (unlike the starter button).  Hold a small punch pin or screwdriver against one of the dimples on the perimeter of the ring that Barry mentioned, tap the pin or screwdriver lightly with a hammer in a counter-clockwise direction and it will unscrew. Don't be too hard with the ring or it will get scratched. 

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Here's the starter switch.

[Dewane Ollech]

Thanks everyone.
Joe Cutler was spot on with his advice. This is a copy of the e-mail I sent him.

Joe,

Thanks for the advice, you were spot on.
Of course it wasn’t all that easy as I stand 6’3” and weigh in at 260.
Getting into position to get my hand in place was quite the ordeal that involved a lot of bad language, much to the entertainment of my wife.
But I was successful, because of you.

Thanks Joe.

[35-709]

   I sometimes tell my wife that she might want to be elsewhere when I am doing a certain job. 

[Jay Friedman]

When I'm doing something demanding I tell my wife not to come near or talk to me.  Mostly so she doesn't hear all my choice language and less so I'm not distracted.