The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Aftermarket Wire Harness & Turn Signal Switch

Hi Everyone,

Got a bit of confusion surrounding my replacement wire harness and turn signal switch. But first, the facts: The truck is a 1953 3100. The original wiring is shot, so I'm going to replace it with a Speedway Motors 20 circuit harness. Additionally, I'm going to use a Chev's of the 40's turn signal switch, all of which will be connected to reproduction LED tail lights.

The speedway wire harness brings all of the turn signal connections to the steering column and uses a GM Style switch and column plug. No problems there. The plug connections are shown and labelled on the instruction sheet. The switch connections are shown and labelled on that instruction sheet. Also on the switch connection instruction sheet, I added the pin out for the GM style connector on the left side of the sheet and added what I believe to be the corresponding connection letter (in a circle) to the drawing. One last bit of info: the wire harness uses two 2-pin flashers, one for the turn signals and one for the hazards. The turn signal switch instructions show wiring for one 3-pin flasher.

My questions:

1. Are these 2 aftermarket parts compatible?
2. If they are compatible, how do I actually wire the switch into the harness correctly?
3. The switch diagram shows the brake switch connecting directly to the signal switch. Does this mean that the brake lights now run through the signal switch? If so, is this a problem?

Seems I've created this problem by kluging together aftermarket parts from multiple sources. Anyway, I would appreciate everyone weighing in. As I always mention, I'm a noob at all of this and trying to learn as I go. So, if I am wrong on any of my connections, please let me know and if these parts aren't even compatible, let me know that too.

I haven't started putting anything into the truck yet. Right now, I'm trying to plan out what I'm doing and where it will all go. Once I've gotten it straight in my mind, I'll go out to the truck.

Unrelated to the compatibility issue is the issue of where to locate the fuse panel. The instructions make clear that it has to be inside the vehicle, not in the engine compartment. I'm very open to suggestions on this too and any mounting ideas that you all have!

Thanks for your help!

All the info you need is right in front of you. I don't see what is confusing about it. Everything is labeled and color coded. Just connect everything and go with it.


No, that is not a problem, that is how it works. When left turn signal is flashing, right brake light comes on. And vice versa.

Cletis,

My confusion is around the different flashers. The wire harness has two 2-pin flashers and the switch shows wiring for one 3-pin flasher. Not knowing what the switch diagram is referring to when it labels one of the pins "pilot light", I can't make a guess about what that pin is supposed to be connected to in the wire harness. The other connections on the flasher are understandable. Also, will I have to connect the leads from both flashers to the same points on the switch?

It's good to know that the brake lights are supposed to be wired through the switch. I wouldn't have guessed that was the case. Thanks for that verification.

I'm sorry if this is beginner level stuff, but that's what I am. Just trying to figure it all out.

The pilot light is the light in the switch that flashes when the signal is activated. If you are using LEDs you probably won't be able to use a 3 pin flasher, therefore this function will not work. You can however mount 2 leds on your dash and power them with the front turnsignal wires.

Thanks for clarifying what the pilot light is. The wire harness actually has a power feed for the dash turn signal indicators, so I could hook it up to that connection. I think I'm going to get replacement gauges that have the led's built in, so I'll probably save the connection for that.

If I'm understanding the switch diagram, it seems that I don't need to use the 2nd flasher. The harness instructions show that one of the flashers (connection point "L") is the turn signal power feed. It also shows the other flasher (connection point "K") is the power feed for the hazard flashers. It seems, however, that the turn signal switch only needs 1 flasher. Am I reading that correctly? If so, would I only use connection point "L"? Not installing the 2nd flasher would keep connection point "K" without power, so there wouldn't be any harm there and there would be no need for installing the pin into the slot for "K" on the corresponding connector.

That sounds right to me.

Not to throw a wrench in the mix but, I had this exact issue! My harness had 2 prong flashers and my switch required 3. I worked with a guy for many hours to change the harnes to a 3 prong. Also led requires no load flashers to work.

Chris