Ignition switch wire identification
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Take a look at this - make sure you look at the portion that pertains to your particular ignition system.
This is the 1986 version of the EVTM (Start & Ignition Systems):
Start & Ignition - ???Gary's Garagemahal
This is the 1986 version of the EVTM (Start & Ignition Systems):
Start & Ignition - ???Gary's Garagemahal
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Just like with the turn signal switch, I am still having trouble identifying each wire (see picture below). This is out of an 82 donor f150. It also appears there may be some missing on this switch. Again, I apologize for being so simple minded, but I am really struggling with matching these to the new harness, as the colors do not match. The harness is an aftermarket harness, as this engine and transmission are going into an older truck.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
I have looked at the EVTM for this and still don't quite have what I need. I am sure I am looking at it wrong, but all I can get is the following:
Two Red/Lt Blue: One goes to The starter relay and one goes to the Ignition Module
Red.Lt blue (actually green) and Brown and pink: Coil
Yellow: Power in
Do those look correct?
Any idea on the following:
Gray with yellow stripe
Black/green stripe
Two wires - one white with blue stripe and one solid red
Purple with white stripe
Two Red/Lt Blue: One goes to The starter relay and one goes to the Ignition Module
Red.Lt blue (actually green) and Brown and pink: Coil
Yellow: Power in
Do those look correct?
Any idea on the following:
Gray with yellow stripe
Black/green stripe
Two wires - one white with blue stripe and one solid red
Purple with white stripe
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,763
From: Virginia
What you have so far looks good. Try to go by the diagram as much as possible, the colors on these wires fade and change and are hard to make out sometimes.
Grey/yellow= hot and run that feeds the A/C heater blower circuit and the turn/stop hazards and backup lights.
Black/green=another hot in run that feeds the wipers, fuel tank selector, horn, etc, etc. This hot wire is special since it is also hot when the key is turned to the ACC position, while the Grey/yellow is not.
Look again carefully that the wire you think is solid red, it should have a lightgreen stripe. That wire along with the white/lightblue is another hot in run only, and is used to supply power to the ignition module and other things under the hood. These wires work in conjunction with the red/lightgreen and brown/pink you already found. The wires you already found are hot only in start, so you need these other two wires for power in run to the ignition. It's all spelled out in this link on page 13. Charge & Power Distribution - ???Gary's Garagemahal
I had to look at my 82 diagram to find the purple/white, it is hot in start only and is a bulb test for the brake warning light.
Grey/yellow= hot and run that feeds the A/C heater blower circuit and the turn/stop hazards and backup lights.
Black/green=another hot in run that feeds the wipers, fuel tank selector, horn, etc, etc. This hot wire is special since it is also hot when the key is turned to the ACC position, while the Grey/yellow is not.
Look again carefully that the wire you think is solid red, it should have a lightgreen stripe. That wire along with the white/lightblue is another hot in run only, and is used to supply power to the ignition module and other things under the hood. These wires work in conjunction with the red/lightgreen and brown/pink you already found. The wires you already found are hot only in start, so you need these other two wires for power in run to the ignition. It's all spelled out in this link on page 13. Charge & Power Distribution - ???Gary's Garagemahal
I had to look at my 82 diagram to find the purple/white, it is hot in start only and is a bulb test for the brake warning light.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,763
From: Virginia
Correction on the purple/white. It is not a hot wire, it is a ground wire. You should find that it becomes grounded to the body of the switch somehow when the switch moves to the start position. This is what tests the brake warning switch. It's hard to see the ground symbol in the diagram.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Thanks again for all the help.
A couple of questions:
1.) the diagram looks like two yellow hots are being fed to the switch. Is my old connector that is pictured above missing one?
2.) I know this is an 80-86 specific forum, but you all are very knowledgeable. My new wiring harness fuse block has a specific terminal for the wipers. Does that wire go from fuse block>ignition switch>wiper switch>wiper motor? If so,. what terminal does it leave the ignition switch from? Reason I ask is because that switch isn't in the steering column loom on the harness. Not sure how that all fits together.
3.) Similar question for the AC/turn/stop/backup terminal. I am having a hard time figuring out where these things tie in to the ignition switch and turn signal switch. Is the turn indicator wire the only thing that goes to the turn signal switch? Or does the turn signal wire go from fuse >ignition>turn signal switch?
4.) the diagram refers to a pg. 96 for ignition switch terminals. Any idea where I can find that page?
I realize these are probably dumb questions and I apologize for straying from the specific purpose of this forum with an aftermarket wiring harness. I appreciate all the insight and help.
A couple of questions:
1.) the diagram looks like two yellow hots are being fed to the switch. Is my old connector that is pictured above missing one?
2.) I know this is an 80-86 specific forum, but you all are very knowledgeable. My new wiring harness fuse block has a specific terminal for the wipers. Does that wire go from fuse block>ignition switch>wiper switch>wiper motor? If so,. what terminal does it leave the ignition switch from? Reason I ask is because that switch isn't in the steering column loom on the harness. Not sure how that all fits together.
3.) Similar question for the AC/turn/stop/backup terminal. I am having a hard time figuring out where these things tie in to the ignition switch and turn signal switch. Is the turn indicator wire the only thing that goes to the turn signal switch? Or does the turn signal wire go from fuse >ignition>turn signal switch?
4.) the diagram refers to a pg. 96 for ignition switch terminals. Any idea where I can find that page?
I realize these are probably dumb questions and I apologize for straying from the specific purpose of this forum with an aftermarket wiring harness. I appreciate all the insight and help.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,763
From: Virginia
You need to work on your picture, I can't see it. In the other post I can see the turnsignal switch picture fine.
Most older cars are wired the same. In your fuse box they will have a bar connecting several of the fuses together. The power will come in the ignition switch on the yellow, and come out of the ignition switch on one of the hot wires listed above. This will go to the bar or common in the fuse box. Then when that wire becomes hot when you turn the switch, all those fuses will become hot. You then come out of each fuse for the separate devices. If you have a wiper fuse, then that will go to the wipers, etc.
The factory separated some of these circuits out to spread the load out. I do not know how your aftermarket fuse box is setup. So in other words they had groups of fuses that were fed together by their own "hot bar" in the fuse box (the official term for this bar is a "buss").
Most older cars are wired the same. In your fuse box they will have a bar connecting several of the fuses together. The power will come in the ignition switch on the yellow, and come out of the ignition switch on one of the hot wires listed above. This will go to the bar or common in the fuse box. Then when that wire becomes hot when you turn the switch, all those fuses will become hot. You then come out of each fuse for the separate devices. If you have a wiper fuse, then that will go to the wipers, etc.
The factory separated some of these circuits out to spread the load out. I do not know how your aftermarket fuse box is setup. So in other words they had groups of fuses that were fed together by their own "hot bar" in the fuse box (the official term for this bar is a "buss").
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
4.) the diagram refers to a pg. 96 for ignition switch terminals. Any idea where I can find that page?
I realize these are probably dumb questions and I apologize for straying from the specific purpose of this forum with an aftermarket wiring harness. I appreciate all the insight and help.
I realize these are probably dumb questions and I apologize for straying from the specific purpose of this forum with an aftermarket wiring harness. I appreciate all the insight and help.
To find Page 96 of the 1981 EVTM:
- Click the hamburger icon (2 horizontal lines) at the very top of his site, LH side
- Click on Electrical in the menu that appears
- Click on EVTM in the new menu that appears below the first
- Click on 1981 EVTM
- Scroll down to the very bottom - Chapter 22 Component Testing, Pages 95-101, click that link
And there you be, scroll around and read.
Gary's site doesn't always make menus appear when one clicks on things like I explained above but maybe that's my mouse injecting double-clicks when I don't want it to. Anyhow, see if that helps you.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
You need to work on your picture, I can't see it. In the other post I can see the turnsignal switch picture fine.
Most older cars are wired the same. In your fuse box they will have a bar connecting several of the fuses together. The power will come in the ignition switch on the yellow, and come out of the ignition switch on one of the hot wires listed above. This will go to the bar or common in the fuse box. Then when that wire becomes hot when you turn the switch, all those fuses will become hot. You then come out of each fuse for the separate devices. If you have a wiper fuse, then that will go to the wipers, etc.
The factory separated some of these circuits out to spread the load out. I do not know how your aftermarket fuse box is setup. So in other words they had groups of fuses that were fed together by their own "hot bar" in the fuse box (the official term for this bar is a "buss").
Most older cars are wired the same. In your fuse box they will have a bar connecting several of the fuses together. The power will come in the ignition switch on the yellow, and come out of the ignition switch on one of the hot wires listed above. This will go to the bar or common in the fuse box. Then when that wire becomes hot when you turn the switch, all those fuses will become hot. You then come out of each fuse for the separate devices. If you have a wiper fuse, then that will go to the wipers, etc.
The factory separated some of these circuits out to spread the load out. I do not know how your aftermarket fuse box is setup. So in other words they had groups of fuses that were fed together by their own "hot bar" in the fuse box (the official term for this bar is a "buss").
I will try and post a better picture. Was the picture not showing up at all?
Are you saying that I can use one hot into the ignition, then one hot-accessory, and one hot-start wire out to each of their respective spots on the fuse box? Or will I still need to install the turn signal wires from switch to fuse box? This is the part that is confusing me the most.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Here is another picture. Hopefully it is more clear. I updated the labels with what was posted above. Oh, and to confuse things even FURTHER, the distributor that came with this engine is an HEI with the coil and ignition module all in one. From what I can find online, they are a one wire hook up. So does that one wire need to come from the starter relay? Ignition switch? Do I just abandon the wires that say to go to the Ignition module? This is like layers on an onion.
