Another wiring problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
Another wiring problem
The weather was pushing 60 today here in Pa. Figured that I'd get back to my re-wiring project. Once again, 10 minutes in, I encounter a problem. My car is a 63, gauges are 65( I think). The new harness does not match up to the ignition switch. The switch has seven male connectors, the harness has 5 female connectors.Old harness obviously has 7 female. Checked the ususal vendor catalogues.I can get a new one for about $18. How do you remove the old one? Does it just unscrew?
I also have another problem. My headlight **** doesn't pull out as far as the old one did. A few months ago,I had to replace the headlight switch because that didn't match the new harness either. How did I screw that up???
Most of the other wiring stuff seems pretty straight forward. I hooked up a few gauges and replaced a few bulbs today. Are there any other problem areas that I should anticipate?? I"d hate to order a new switch and then have to order something else in a few days.
All responses are greatly appreciated.
I also have another problem. My headlight **** doesn't pull out as far as the old one did. A few months ago,I had to replace the headlight switch because that didn't match the new harness either. How did I screw that up???
Most of the other wiring stuff seems pretty straight forward. I hooked up a few gauges and replaced a few bulbs today. Are there any other problem areas that I should anticipate?? I"d hate to order a new switch and then have to order something else in a few days.
All responses are greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
All midyear ignition switches have five terminals, but only four are used; on a '63, it's a 12-ga. red wire to the "Bat" terminal, two 18-ga. pink wires to the "Ign" terminal, a 14-ga. violet wire to the "Sol" terminal, and a 16-ga. brown wire to the "Acc" terminal (the "Grd" [ground] terminal isn't used).
You need the key to remove the ignition switch - insert the key, use a bent-open paper clip in the hole in the lock cylinder face, push on the paper clip against spring pressure, and turn the key counter-clockwise and the cylinder will pop out. Then you can unscrew the bezel and remove the switch. Don't sweat the headlight switch - replacements have less rod stroke than the originals.
You need the key to remove the ignition switch - insert the key, use a bent-open paper clip in the hole in the lock cylinder face, push on the paper clip against spring pressure, and turn the key counter-clockwise and the cylinder will pop out. Then you can unscrew the bezel and remove the switch. Don't sweat the headlight switch - replacements have less rod stroke than the originals.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
Thanks for the reply John. The connector on the new harness looked nothing like the old one--not even close. I'm afraid to force it. I ordered a new one with five prongs today. Not knowing the history of the car can make even the simplist of projects a pain in the butt. Almost everything that I look at ends up being from something other than a 63. At the rate that I'm going, in a year or two, I'll have gone over pretty much every component of the car. I try to keep records so that 20 years from now someone isn't having the same promlems as me. Regarding the headlight switch, I'm going to remove it from the cluster, pull out the **** and put in in again. Hopefully that will work.
I appreciate your response.
I appreciate your response.
