C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

[Russ S.]

I am working on a 65 SB that has everything new or rebuilt including new wiring harnesses. When the engine is running with the headlights on, the engine won't stop when I turn the key off. If the head lights are off, then the engine will stop when the key is turned to the off position. Also, with the key in the on position but not running and the light switch is off, the tail lights and dash lights are on. Needing help!

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Russ, sounds like something with the light circuit is feeding the ignition circuit 12volts. start by looking at the light switch to be sure the wires are installed in the correct pins. If you have the old harnesses use them as a guide. I have heard here on the TDB stories about lectric limited harnesses not pined correctly ( not sure if this what you have). Yours is a strange issue. this is a timely issue to check everything is in the right spot. also check ignition switch harness. trace out the pink ignition feed wire back through the fire wall and make sure two wires are not piniched together somewhere. re-check all grounds also

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Russ,
Should ring out with a volt ohm meter the entire harness according to the schematic diagram prior to install in the car. Also be sure the spade contacts are inserted in the correct plastic connectors.

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Unfortunately, this harness wasn't made by Lectric Limited and not all the wire colors match the original W/H nor the schematics.It is "suppose" to be a 65 harness. On the lower RH terminal of the ign switch the original harness has two blk w/red stripe wires clamped into the same terminal. On the repo harness these two wires are pink. Also I find that the problem of the engine not shutting off when the lights are on is intermittent

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Russ, Does this car have Transistorized Ignition, Standard Ignition, MSD, Pertronix, LL, Etc ?? This is important to know too.

It's seems to me as well that there is a direct short between the IGN wire and a LIGHTS wire. LIGHTS wire may be PARK, DASH, or HEADLIGHT. Or........since you say it's intermittent, it's possible you just have a bad Ignition switch and it's a coincidence about the lights.

It's best to isolate large chunks of circuit to help pinpoint the suspect area. Remove biggest chunks first. I would start by removing the engine bay side bulkhead forward harness connectors. See if problem persists. I'd suspect it will persist, unless you have TI and some engine bay short between the coil feed from the TI module to a lights wire somewhere.......On a '65 IIRC the module is Pass side radiator support front mount, but the harness runs along the firewall near the engine harness wiring. May be worth a look if TI.

Next you'll have to use a test light or meter on the IGN switch. Verify that the Pink is getting Power with Key Off and Light switch on.

Next I would remove light switch and as mentioned pull one wire at a time (after a photo or make a wiring diagram of the switch terminal wire colors). You will have to remove each terminal one at a time from the plastic connector.

Next up after seeing what is shorted, You may have a short in the fuse panel between the bulkhead connector block and the backside of the panel. You may have to remove it from the dash and carefully open it up to check it's wiring. To remove the Twin-Lock panel you'll have to cut the harness tape at the top where the two blocks join.

It will look similar this '67 panel. There may be a short under the bulkhead block.
P3210049.jpgP3210050.jpg

A possibility the feed to the Lights(IIRC Orange ) is shorted to the Pink Ign in the fuse panel of the harness.

You'll need to do some probing and circuit section elimination to help diagnose the problem.

===

[John H.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Here's another view of the back side of the fuse block, showing the feeds to all six fuses - helpful for troubleshooting.


FuseBlockOpen661024.jpg

[Dan B.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Unfortunately, this harness wasn't made by Lectric Limited and not all the wire colors match the original W/H nor the schematics.It is "suppose" to be a 65 harness. On the lower RH terminal of the ign switch the original harness has two blk w/red stripe wires clamped into the same terminal. On the repo harness these two wires are pink. Also I find that the problem of the engine not shutting off when the lights are on is intermittent

There are also differences in the harness within the model year as well as between years. In addition, the ignition switches changed as well. I suspect you may not have a true 65 harness there. Do you know who manufactured that harness??

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

John,

Does your photo also apply to '66?

Gary

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Richard, The car has MSD electronic fuel injection with MSD digital 6 electronic ignition. Wow, This is getting complicated. Like I said I hate electrical issues

Russ, Does this car have Transistorized Ignition, Standard Ignition, MSD, Pertronix, LL, Etc ?? This is important to know too.

It's seems to me as well that there is a direct short between the IGN wire and a LIGHTS wire. LIGHTS wire may be PARK, DASH, or HEADLIGHT. Or........since you say it's intermittent, it's possible you just have a bad Ignition switch and it's a coincidence about the lights.

It's best to isolate large chunks of circuit to help pinpoint the suspect area. Remove biggest chunks first. I would start by removing the engine bay side bulkhead forward harness connectors. See if problem persists. I'd suspect it will persist, unless you have TI and some engine bay short between the coil feed from the TI module to a lights wire somewhere.......On a '65 IIRC the module is Pass side radiator support front mount, but the harness runs along the firewall near the engine harness wiring. May be worth a look if TI.

Next you'll have to use a test light or meter on the IGN switch. Verify that the Pink is getting Power with Key Off and Light switch on.

Next I would remove light switch and as mentioned pull one wire at a time (after a photo or make a wiring diagram of the switch terminal wire colors). You will have to remove each terminal one at a time from the plastic connector.

Next up after seeing what is shorted, You may have a short in the fuse panel between the bulkhead connector block and the backside of the panel. You may have to remove it from the dash and carefully open it up to check it's wiring. To remove the Twin-Lock panel you'll have to cut the harness tape at the top where the two blocks join.

It will look similar this '67 panel. There may be a short under the bulkhead block.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]66692[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66693[/ATTACH]

A possibility the feed to the Lights(IIRC Orange ) is shorted to the Pink Ign in the fuse panel of the harness.

You'll need to do some probing and circuit section elimination to help diagnose the problem.

===

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

Gentlemen, You have given me a lot to check. I will be checking it all out. The wiring harness brand is Eagle.

[John H.]

Re: C2 wiring gremlin-new wiring

John,

Does your photo also apply to '66?

Gary

Gary -

Yes, it does.