C1 electrical question

[Rich G.]

When I got interested in this hobby a year ago and knew absoultly nothing (now I'm a lot smarter and know practically nothing) I looked at a real nice '62 freshly restored at a dealer. When I stepped on the brake, the amp meter went to the plus side with engine not running and key off. Even I knew this was wrong. Then I noticed that the turn signals worked with the key off also. I didn't think that was right either. Was that right or wrong?

Rich Giannotti

[Donald L.]

Re: C1 electrical question

The ignition switch was cross wired on the accessory and battery poles. Seen & done that before.

Regards,
Donald #31176

[Scott Butville]

Re: C1 electrical question

The ammeter was probably wired backwards too.

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: C1 electrical question

The turn signals on my 1960 operate without the key on and all of my gauges work properly. I believe that is correct turn signal operation, but I would like to hear other opinions. No one really answered that part of your question.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 electrical question

As best I can remember, all the C1's I have owned were wired to operate the turn signal switch with the switch off. The ammeter you describe was wired backwards. That is common, since the factory wiring diagram is incorrect regarding the ammeter wiring.

[Richard E.]

Re: C1 electrical question

Ditto on Ed's post for my 62. Wonder if the turn signal w/o ignition switch on provided an alternative to an "emergency flasher" prior to its inception??? Probably more coincidental....Regards

[roy braatz]

Re: C1 electrical question

53 to 57 I know that only the headlights, parking lights,brake lights and inside lights worked with the key OFF.

[Dennis C.]

Re: C1 electrical question

Wired correctly, you're turn signals will not work with the key in the off position. The NCRS Operations Manual can be a useful tool in dealing with some of these cloudy issues.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 electrical question

Dennis is exactly right--turn signals should not work with the switch off. OAround the perimeter of the rear of the ignition switch are three terminals--only two are used. When they are not correctly wired, you will get the turn signals working with the switch off, etc.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 electrical question

Trying to think back some odd 40 years, I seem to remember that cars of that period had to have the switch on for the signals to operate. However, as stated earlier, just about every C1 I've run across has them wired the other way. Anyway, to correct the situation the 18ga pink wire needs to be moved from the 'Bat" terminal to whichever one of the other terminals is not in use. On my car, this was the one marked "ACC". I don't believe the third terminal is marked on my car, but it also powers up with the switch. The "BAT" terminal is the only one hot all the time and it apparently is not used unless you want to hook some accessory to it.