1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

[Mike B.]

During the process of R&R of my tach and dash I naturally had to disconnect all of the wires. I marked most but somehow did not distinguish between the two pink wires that are attached to the ignition switch.

I checked all three of my wiring diagrams and none specifically outline the ignition switch post designation; they only list the eventual connecting points which is not helpful since they are wrapped together in the harness.

Based on the physical layout in the diagrams it appears that the heavier 14 ga pink wire attaches to a post marked ACC (I presume accessory). The lighter 18 ga pink wire attaches to what I believe is a switched post. That wire serves the fuel and water temp gauges so that seems to make sense. But there are a few spare posts at the switch so I am not completely sure of either of the two connections.

I just need a sanity check before I apply power to the system. Does the above seem correct? Words and/or a photo (you can email at mbovino@uniclean.com) would be much appreciated.

Next time I won't be such a dumbass!

Thanks,
Mike

[Jim K.]

you have mail *NM*

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

No you don't have mail,it just got bounced back but here it is here...

Hi Mike this is as close as I can get combing through my photo archives, I know it is the area you need but it shows the wires disconnected… big help. If you don’t get any other answers, let me know, my 61 is on the top of the lift, covered and sleeping for now, but I can get under there tonight if you need it. Call me at home before 8:30 eastern time I'm in the book Rehoboth, Mass.

Jim Kennedy

[Mike B.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

Jim,

Those are the wires all right! But like you said not much help without being connected. I'll hold out hope for someone else chiming in as I hate to have you bother to disturb the car.

But thanks for the offer. I will call if I strike out. I'm wondering how many Kennedys there are in the MA phone book...at least it is narrowed to Rehoboth!

Thanks,
Mike

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

I usually call it the Kennedy compound in Rehobothport but if you're not from around here, that can be very confusing!

[Rick C.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

Mike:
No guarantee, but here are the connections on my '62. Sorry about the size of the picture.
Rick

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

OK Mike, I took a look under the winter cover and the heavier pink wire is on the drivers side of the two upper terminals marked "ACC", and the lighter guage wire is on the pass side. At least that's what works on my car. I hope this helps!!!
Jim

[Jim K.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

Wow, I just saw Rick's post and his is backwards from mine... I'm taking a page from Chuck and checking the AIM... it shows the 18 Ga on the pass side and the 14 Ga on the drivers side... That's what I see.
Jim

[Robert S.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

I'll add my 2cents. My be this will help solve the mystery

From what I can see on the 61-62 wiring diagram the 18Ga pink goes to/comes from the fuse box. The 14Ga goes to/comes from a junction that has 18Ga pink wires going to the gas and temp gauges and also continues to the fuse box.

Good luck

[Mike B.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

My wires are also backwards from Rick's layout. Today I will try to pin down which wires go where through the use of a continuity tester and will report back if I find out for sure.

But it seems that either way will work without bad results. I sure hope so because except for the gauge, if they had true different functions I would expect that the General would have made them different colors.

What a can of worms!

[Mike B.]

Re: 1961 Pink Ignition Switch Wires

OK, the suspense was killing me so I got back under the dash with a continuity tester.

Another member sent an email with the following: On my 62 with ignition switch #577 the 14 gauge pink wire(thicker one) goes to the ACC pole. The 18 gauge wire goes to the IGN pole. If you were to wire this backwards there would be no harm but the turn signal would work with the ignition switch off. regards, Donald #31176

Based on that tip and the wiring diagram I confirmed that the 18 gauge wire feeds back to the flasher block as Don suggested. Therefore this one should be attached to the switched ignition post (shared with the brown wire to the coil resistor). The 14 gauge connects to the ACC post. There is an unused post below the red wire from the battery (fed via the ammeter gauge).

Attached is a photo showing the relative position. Sorry but you can't tell the colors of the other wires due to the insulation wrapping but use the relative position of the "T" that plugs into the switch for orientation.

Thanks to all for your help.

Mike

[Rick C.]

Thanks for setting me straight out on this! *NM*

[Jim K.]

Re: Thanks for setting me straight out on this!

Rick did your turn signals work without the key?

[Rick C.]

Re: Thanks for setting me straight out on this!

Jim,
I don't know. I am disassembling the car now and I don't remember - I hadn't driven it in the 26 years or so before I started restoration. I am tempted to initially leave the wires the way they are just to see.
Rick