Chev CMP starter question

[RichCam]

Maybe this is a Chev CMP trivia question.....

I was looking closely at the rear of my C-15A Wire 5 truck chassis and I noticed that on the DS rear of the frame, just behind the axle and just in front of the rear leaf spring mount, that there is a push button contactor (3 wire) mounted onto the frame. The push button contactor looks very similar to the push button "starter" that is mounted on the dash. The rear frame contactor doesn't have any wires connected to it so I don't know where they go. There isn't a reference to this contactor in the maintenance or parts manual that I can see.

What is it for? I see a similar mount hole on the Chev C-8A frame and the C-60X frame as well. Not on the Ford frames though.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks!

[Jordan Baker]

I beleive that is the switch to change over from tail stop lights to the convoy light that shines on the rear differential. The push button switch on the dash should be the high/low beam switch. The starter was a lever down with the stick shifters.

[David Dunlop]

Rich.

I think what you have found is actually a prewar commercial high/low headlamp switch. These were in common use in the auto industry up until the introduction of the stick control on the steering column for headlight controls.

On the Chev CMP, this switch was installed where you have discovered it to operate the rear convoy lamp that illuminated the rear differential target. If you check the instrument panel, you will see that all lights on the truck, other than the convoy lamp are controlled by the driver from that location.

I think Ford accomplished the same task with a switch box located somewhere at the rear end of the vehicle.


David

[RichCam]

Jordon and David,

Thanks for your comments. The dash on my C-15A wasn't completely wired when I purchased it from the previous owner and I don't think he had a manual so there are a couple of funky issues we are sorting out. This was one of them.

A 3 wire push button "light" switch is what it is. The convoy light and bracket are mounted on the frame, pointed at the rear differential. No wires, just the light housing and mount bracket. I looked out at my Ford F-60 and yes, there is a switch box, white for convoy, red for tail lights.

Now back to finding where the starting lever is for the C-15A. It came with a couple of boxes of parts.

Cheers and thanks again.