Does anyone remember the override starter switch on Ford models that were under the hood? Years ago as a tow truck driver, when a starter was bad...I would just use a screwdriver with the ignition switch on to start the car. Are these switches still available? Was Ford the only car manufacturer to ever make these?
Is it possible you're thinking about when they used to mount the starter solenoid on the firewall?
When it failed, we'd just use a screwdriver to jump the positive battery cable's threaded lug on the solenoid to the threaded lug on the solenoid that went to the starter.
Does Ford still mount the starter solenoid on the firewall? Was Ford the only company to do this?
NO. Everybody used to do that with cars and light trucks but these days the solenoids are mounted on the starter.