1937 60 series electrical issue help

[Steve Rinaldo]

Nothing electrical works in my car. The starter works when the relay is jumped. I think the problem is a bad ignition switch or ammeter. The question is how do you remove these parts for testing? The shop manual shows no info.
I really some help with this. Steve

[wheikkila]

You should be able to check for power on the back of the ignition switch. You should have power on one side all the time. The other should have power when you turn the key on. On the switch there should be a small screw that holes the switch in place. Hope this helps out.
Thanks Wayne
       

[tmdeturck]

I agree, you should be able to check these without removing them.  Look for power on both sides of the ammeter and the one side of the ignition switch, assuming there were no changes like a "kill switch" added over time.  You could also check if the ammeter is the cause by jumping across the terminals with an insulated jumper wire / alligator clips for a lights test.

If you really want to take the ammeter out, it's held in place by 3 Phillips screws on the backside of the gage, and the ignition switch by 2 screws on the backside.  It's tight space back there to get them out though, I had to be upside down on my back with mirrors to see.
I attached some representative pics to give an idea of what it looks like.
Terry

[Steve Rinaldo]

Thanks

[fishnjim]

Get help, if you're not sure what to do.   Take to an auto electrical shop.

[wheikkila]

Taking it to a shop may get it fixed. But you won't learn anything. These old cars are good to learn on. They have little wiring to sort out. You should purchase a wiring diagram for your car. It will help you and anyone working on the car.
         Thanks Wayne   

[35-709]

And you can get a large, full color, laminated wiring diagram from Classic Car Wiring in Sebastian, FL for your '37.

https://classiccarwiring.com/collections/cadillac-lasalle

[wheikkila]

I have purchased a diagram from them for every car I have. They were all 11x17 laminated and worth every penny.
              Thanks Wayne

[Steve Rinaldo]

I ran an additional wire from the battery - post to a terminal on the regulator and every thing is working as normal. Either a wire came loose or a wire is broken. Thanks for the help. Steve