Ignition Wiring Hell
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Ignition Wiring Hell
Hey guys
I got my ignition switch replacement in the mail yesterday. It is definately different from the old original.. This one is 12v, has 4 posts instead of 3.. I think it was made incorrectly because the Battery post is the long one, not the ACCY post.. idiots..
So anway, the directions that came with it from MidFifty are not for push-start ignitions.. I wired it all up and everything was running.. Truck fired up, radio worked, all gauges worked.. but then the truck started running funny (slow sputtery idle) and liquid gasoline was sprayed on the grass out of the exhaust pipe. (guess it could have been flooded) Also when I would touch the door I would get shocked.. (didnt do that before.. no ground wires before either)
I've emailed Midfifty for the other directions but of coarse they haven't replied.. I sent them an email Monday and they didnt reply to that one either.
Anybody have a diagram of how to wire it without screwing stuff up?
Also I have a CD Player, it has a red and yellow wire that were on the previous ignition switch on seperate posts. Should I put them on seperate posts this time too or put them both on ACCY post?
As you can tell I'm an idiot with wiring..
I got my ignition switch replacement in the mail yesterday. It is definately different from the old original.. This one is 12v, has 4 posts instead of 3.. I think it was made incorrectly because the Battery post is the long one, not the ACCY post.. idiots..
So anway, the directions that came with it from MidFifty are not for push-start ignitions.. I wired it all up and everything was running.. Truck fired up, radio worked, all gauges worked.. but then the truck started running funny (slow sputtery idle) and liquid gasoline was sprayed on the grass out of the exhaust pipe. (guess it could have been flooded) Also when I would touch the door I would get shocked.. (didnt do that before.. no ground wires before either)
I've emailed Midfifty for the other directions but of coarse they haven't replied.. I sent them an email Monday and they didnt reply to that one either.
Anybody have a diagram of how to wire it without screwing stuff up?
Also I have a CD Player, it has a red and yellow wire that were on the previous ignition switch on seperate posts. Should I put them on seperate posts this time too or put them both on ACCY post?
As you can tell I'm an idiot with wiring..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 37
From: Minnesota
I would guess you have the following posts
1) voltage supplied from battery
2) voltage that turns on with ignition runs gages etc.
3) start position supplies voltage to solenoid
4) accessory turns on the radio and anything else you might want to turn on and not have gages on or the truck running.
1) voltage supplied from battery
2) voltage that turns on with ignition runs gages etc.
3) start position supplies voltage to solenoid
4) accessory turns on the radio and anything else you might want to turn on and not have gages on or the truck running.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Battery, Ignition, Starter, Accessory,
That is correct.
The original had three posts, didnt say what they were on the switch but it was Battery, Ignition, Accessory
Now theres a Starter post.. I tried to wire it the original way but then I would get shocked sometimes if I touched the door.. also it started running funny but that could have been something else..
I dont have the switch installed right now, but I had it hot wired and was driving around today. The idle now seems sluggish and low.. actually cut off once today..
That is correct.
The original had three posts, didnt say what they were on the switch but it was Battery, Ignition, Accessory
Now theres a Starter post.. I tried to wire it the original way but then I would get shocked sometimes if I touched the door.. also it started running funny but that could have been something else..
I dont have the switch installed right now, but I had it hot wired and was driving around today. The idle now seems sluggish and low.. actually cut off once today..
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
Hey Jeff, What do you mean by "no ground wires before"? I can't recall ever feeling a shock from 12vdc, besides if you had some sort of short to ground something should have melted. I have definitely been shocked by 24vdc but usually only in the summer when I am soaked with sweat. Almost sounds like a plug wire shorting to ground (the body) which might account for the engine running funny. Also, you could use the starter post to delete the pushbutton and start with the key. I suspect you already know this and like the pushbutton.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Yea I like the push button 
So.. the plug wire that you speak of... I guess this would only happen if it were touching the metal dash or something? I don't think any of the wires were touching the body or anything.. that is unless theres a wire that is pushed up behind the dash that I'm not accounting for.. but I don't think thats the case either
I'll take a look..
How would that effect the way the engine runs?
So.. the plug wire that you speak of... I guess this would only happen if it were touching the metal dash or something? I don't think any of the wires were touching the body or anything.. that is unless theres a wire that is pushed up behind the dash that I'm not accounting for.. but I don't think thats the case either
I'll take a look..
How would that effect the way the engine runs?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv.
Your profile says you have a 55...Did that have a negetive or positive ground? Do you have a resister wire or an ignition resistor going to the distributer/coil? Just thinking out loud,what was different from beginning to now?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Originally Posted by seetwisted
Your profile says you have a 55...Did that have a negetive or positive ground? Do you have a resister wire or an ignition resistor going to the distributer/coil? Just thinking out loud,what was different from beginning to now?
The difference from then to now is that now I have a new ignition switch, the doors shock me, and the engine runs weak..
If you've got time school me on pos/neg grounding and resister wires.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv.
Ok...
I don't know if this can help you,but you might learn something you can teach me some time.Older/6 volt systems had the positive lead on the battery going to the frame instead of the negetive like newer vehicles.It can be a little confusing (or,a lot in my case) when you change over the system and don't pay attention to polarity.I got rid of a nice 52 merc with electrical problems...I wish I had kept. There is an ignition/ballast resistor between your switch and coil or on some vehicles, a resistor wire...If you had the wire,and some how deleted it in the wiring or rewiring of the ignition switch you would end up with too much power going to the points.I have seen guys stick their points together this way...motor no run no more.I think maybe I'm still just thinking out loud again. Maybe some one else can chime in now and help you...us.I'll check this thread tomorrow with a clear head and maybe be less confusing.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
OK I've got some new information..
I've had the truck hot wired to drive it..
Well today, the small bolt that I had connecting the two wires got super hot! I touched it and it burnt my finger. I only drove for about 15 minutes!
It didnt do this previously.. I could take out the bolt without getting burnt!
I've had the truck hot wired to drive it..
Well today, the small bolt that I had connecting the two wires got super hot! I touched it and it burnt my finger. I only drove for about 15 minutes!
It didnt do this previously.. I could take out the bolt without getting burnt!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Hey guys
One more thing..
I've got a bad switch >
The one I bought from Mid-Fifty was made wrong.. the plastic piece that identifies which rod is which is either turned one post too many, or the battery rod was made long and not the ACCY rod..
If I had it wired with all of the Battery connections on the Ignition one, all of the Ignition ones on Accessorie, and Accessorie on Battery, would it have caused all of these problems?
But what about the very HOT hot-wire?
One more thing..
I've got a bad switch >
The one I bought from Mid-Fifty was made wrong.. the plastic piece that identifies which rod is which is either turned one post too many, or the battery rod was made long and not the ACCY rod..
If I had it wired with all of the Battery connections on the Ignition one, all of the Ignition ones on Accessorie, and Accessorie on Battery, would it have caused all of these problems?
But what about the very HOT hot-wire?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv.
u-u-uh,I think I would get that switch switched...and start again. Knowing where the wires go is real helpful.Look at adding a fuse block,I put 3 in mine,BAT,IGN,ACC.The new push in style and I try to fuse EVERYTHING. As I re-wire,I fuse.Next, is relays for the headlights. After the switch,keep us updated.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
53OlderThanMe
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 12, 2013 06:52 PM
jimjoebob99
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
67
Nov 2, 2009 01:09 PM
Beast12
Electrical Systems/Wiring
11
Jul 30, 2004 10:16 PM