Hello, I am new to this forum and recently bought a 1964 olds dynamic 88 with the 394 in it. i was running it the other day and smelt an electrical fire and immediately saw the key switch was smoking. when i looked under the dash the SOL terminal was glowing red. Anyone ever had this problem? if so, what could it be? P.S. i noticed that the switch is after market.

 

Had you done any work to the car or wiring just prior to this happening?

 

No. everything looks to be original with no accessories. except for the nonstock ignition switch

 

I've pulled several 64 big car switches and found the connector melted around the red 12v source wire.

If you haven't bought one, get the 1964 Olds factory shop manual. It's a 5 volume set. It has an electrical section with color wiring diagram and you need that to figure out what's going on here esp since switch is no longer a factory style part. Sounds to me like since it's the starter solenoid wire, you may have a solenoid problem down at the starter.

 

UPDATE: i ordered a new ignition on line and that solved the problem

 

Good to hear.