I just purchased a very nice, original 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood 75. The car initially ran perfectly. However, the second day I had the car, when I turned the ignition switch to the "on" position, but not past "on" to the "start" position, the starter engaged. The starter would not disengage until I turned the ignition to "off," so I could not start the car.

Looking under the hood, I found a small device on the driver's side of the carburetor connected with two wires, one of which was not connected. When this wire was connected, the car started normally, with the starter engaging when the ignition switch was turned to the "start" position, and the starter disengaging when the switch came back to the "on" position.

What is this device, and why would it engage the starter if the wire was disconnected?

Karl Blade

Have pics