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| | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 | 53 chev 2 ton COE. First things first. I am not a wiring guy, but a guy's got to do what a guy's got to do. I purchased and am about to install a wiring harness in my truck. I know, not a wiring guy. Bought the harness from Jim Carter. It appears to be well laid out and labelled. There area couple of wires not labeled, though, and those are the ones in question. Specifically, I'm talking about the wires from the starter, distributor and coil into the dash. Currently there are three, one large (10 ga.), medium (14 ga.) and small (16 ga.). The large wire comes off the starter. The small wire comes off the distributor and the medium starts at the same post on the distributor and then goes in one post of the coil and out the other. All three then head for the dash. There, the large wire is attached to the amp gauge, the medium goes to the ignition switch, and the small wire is connected to nothing at all. I think I failed to mention, but the truck runs and drives fine, as it is. Can anybody shed any light on what's going on? Thanks in advance. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 | I am sorry but I did forget to mention, it's original 6 volt system with generator | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | well, try this: the large red wire is the charging wire from the generator to the battery, via the ammeter and starter - the medium wire from the coil to the switch is the "ignition on/off", and the small wire is excess, as there should only be one wire from the dist to the coil on a 6V setup, although it may have been included as part of a 12V conversion, where it would be an ignition resistor bypass
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 | Thanks. I guess the fact that the truck seems to run fine with the third wire not connected to anything under the dash proves that it's excess I guess. So, if I understand what you said, the big red wire from the starter, a small jump wire from the distributor to one post of the coil and then one from the other post of the coil up to the ignition switch? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes, I believe that's what you'll find in the shop manual wiring diagram [ here, if you don't have one] Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 99 | Thanks, again, Bill. That's exactly what I did as soon as I read your post, checked the FSM. There it is in black and white, two wires just like you said. Don't know when mine picked up a third as it's always been6 volts as far as I can tell. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 565 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 565 | Is it possible the small wire is for a tach?
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just leave me alone, you're starting to freak me out."
1957 GMC 150
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