72_Challenger_Ignition_Switch_Harness

[RedKing7]

All,

I'm new to this website and forum.  I was very happy to find it.

I have a 72 Dodge Challenger -- the Rallye w/ 340 & 4-on-the-floor.  I ordered it from the factory way back when -- when I was young and naive.  Yes, I'm the original owner.

I'm having an ignition switch problem and I was hoping that someone could give me some help -- maybe encountered something similar.  I've posted a pix showing the switch itself and the connector where it plugs into one of the wiring harnesses under the dash.  Originally, I thought it was the switch itself and ordered a "replacement" on-line that turned out to be different from the original -- different number of wires and ordering.  Big disappointment!  I even tried mopar.com with the part number for the exact replacement and they responded that they didn't have it.

After "playing" with this a while, trying to diagnose the problem, the switch itself seems to be fine, but the white plug on the switch side gets hot when plugged into the wiring harness and the switch is engaged.  The plug on the dash side seems to be fine.  So, the questions are:

1) Is this a sign of something more serious or just a bad connector?
2) If a bad connector, where could I get the new connector?
3) Should I cut the connectors off and solder the wires together?
4) Where could I get a new switch, harness, and connector (as one piece)?  This would be my first choice, if I could get the exact replacement part.

Any help is appreciated, particularly if I've posted this to the wrong forum on this site.

[73440]

Welcome from Texas.
Congratulations for owning it since new, that means you have a lot of good times driving it around.

The connector plug looks burnt in a couple of places , not a good sign.
The amp guage gets hot and gives trouble, fire , not sure if the burnt connector is a warning sign.

http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

Search wiring harness on this site , I cant remember the name of a recommended vendor on this site.
They may have the ignition switch.

http://rosevillemoparts.com/

Roseville may be able to help .

[71340RT]

Welcome to the site and I would recommend buying a made in USA switch if you can find one as I have had 3 aftermarket ignition switches go bad on 2 different challenger cars I own and all were made outside the US. I would check the other end of the plug and make sure it is not burned like the ignition switch side.

[cudamadd]

Welcome to the forum 

[RedKing7]

Thanks all that have replied so far.  I will follow up with the suggestions.

I checked the rosevillemoparts.com web site for the ignition switch.  What they are showing as a "replacement for all" is not the same as what I'm showing in the pix that I posted; this will not work.  BTW, I paid a lot less for it elsewhere.