Ignition switch wire identification
This is the 1986 version of the EVTM (Start & Ignition Systems):
Start & Ignition - ???Gary's Garagemahal
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
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.
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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.
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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 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.
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.











