C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1968 Ignition Switch Wiring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2018 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
Kevin68's Avatar
Kevin68
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
Default 1968 Ignition Switch Wiring

My 68 came with the interior out of a 74 (or so I was told), including the steering column. I am putting a replacement steering column in and the key back in the dash where it belongs.

My problem is that only four wires were used in the ignition wiring for the 74 column and my new ignition switch has 7 lugs. I'm sure this explains why I don't have operational courtesy lights or key buzzer. The four wires I have are #12 Red, #12 purple, #12 pink, and #12 Brown. Using my multi-meter, I've verified that these wire sizes and colors go where the wiring diagram says they should. The wiring diagrams don't describe which wire gets attached to which lug. I can't find a replacement plug from any of the vendors.

Can somebody confirm either with a picture or experience, where each wire gets connected on the new switch. From looking at the wiring diagrams, I've deduced that:
#12 red to "BAT" lug,
#12 purple, to "SOL" lug
#12 pink to "IGN"
#12 Brown to "ACC"

"GRD" is obvious and I will run a wire to ground. So my last two lugs are "KEY+" and "KEY-" 0ne is a #20 black wire that goes to the left door jamb switch - my Lectric Limited and AIM diagram shows this to be a white wire, but a colored wiring diagram I got off the forum shows it to be black. There is a #20 pink wire that is supposed to go to the horn relay, which I have not located. This wire change to pink/black past the bulkhead connector and I have confirmed that there is a pink/black wire on the horn relay. I'm assuming that the #20 pink is "Key+" and the #20 black is "KEY-." I'm hoping somebody can corfirm or correct my assumptions.

Here is the new switch:

Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 05:17 PM
  #2  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

I'll get you some info tomorrow, Saturday>
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 05:32 PM
  #3  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,423
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

I'm just following along to try to learn something.


https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...jI1NDMyY2I3YzQ

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...TRkNTFkY2E0NmM
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 06:30 PM
  #4  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Oh God , i hope I dont screw this up now....
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2018 | 06:38 PM
  #5  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

just found a pic that will show the light bulb holder for the ignition and a few wires. I'm going to put this in your other thread too


Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Mar 16, 2018 at 06:45 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 01:00 PM
  #6  
Kevin68's Avatar
Kevin68
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
Haven't seen that diagram before. Thanks. I've got the AIM, Service Manual, Lectric Limited, and one other color one that I picked up along the way.

This drawing captures the essence of my question:



Of the two wires shown coming out of the ignition switch above, I'm pretty sure they go to the key + and - terminals on the ignition switch. Which one is which. The pink/black I think goes from the key + to the horn relay, and the black (white on some diagrams) wire goes from the Key- to the LH door jamb switch.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 01:35 PM
  #7  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

my diagram shows clockwise

BATT= red> power in from horn relay
KEY+= pink wire\black stripe>key alarm in horn relay
GRND=not used
KEY-= black >to LH courtesy and key warning light
IGN=pink> powers fused connection lower 2 right fuse block, goes to multicolor wire to power coil
SOL=purple> power to starter solenoid, (nuetral saftey switch, not used in my early 68)
ACC=brown=power to accesories top right 3 in fuse block and goes to/from voltage regulator
[/QUOTE]

Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Mar 17, 2018 at 01:39 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 01:40 PM
  #8  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Kevin68
Haven't seen that diagram before. Thanks. I've got the AIM, Service Manual, Lectric Limited, and one other color one that I picked up along the way.

This drawing captures the essence of my question:



Of the two wires shown coming out of the ignition switch above, I'm pretty sure they go to the key + and - terminals on the ignition switch. Which one is which. The pink/black I think goes from the key + to the horn relay, and the black (white on some diagrams) wire goes from the Key- to the LH door jamb switch.
you are correct

The outside of the relay has all your car power being distributed via the buss bar. Very weird design, save money i guess

Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Mar 17, 2018 at 01:42 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 06:45 PM
  #9  
Kevin68's Avatar
Kevin68
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
you are correct

The outside of the relay has all your car power being distributed via the buss bar. Very weird design, save money i guess
Thanks. Your PM noted that your diagram indicates the ground is not used, as do the ones I have. I was going to add a ground figuring, more grounds are better but you have a good point about potentially frying something...Although I doubt that switch is wired in a way that connecting a lug that is labeled "GRD" to ground would cause a short, but who knows. I believe this is the same switch that is used on Camaros and Chevelles and the ground may be intended for those cars.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 06:47 PM
  #10  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,305
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

true but why tempt fate
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1968 Ignition Switch Wiring





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:59 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE