1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

[Tom H.]

I attached a picture of the back of my ignition switch and a picture of the engine (ammeter wiring) harness connections.

The colors don't match the diagrams. The diagram shows pink (resistor) purple (starter relay) yellow (coil) and black (solenoid). The connections have brown, purple and green together and a separate black.

The only way to fit the triple connection would have the purple wire on the solenoid connection. Is this correct?

Also why does the switch have eight connections but I only see six in the diagrams and harnesses (excluding the light)? The harness is for late 57 (After April) and my car is a late May. What changed in April and is that the difference?

Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Tom H.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

I did some more digging in the archives and found some information on the switch connections so I'm good to go there. I'm still a little worried about the wire colors because all the other wires I've connected have matched perfectly.

[David S.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Hi Tom,
I will try and post a picture of the switch on my 57 bowtie car. This should answer your question.
Dave

[Tom H.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Thank Dave, the pictures are a help.

[Theodore K.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Tom,
I found your post and have a similar question so it was most helpful. I wonder if you on the switch, if the single black wire goes to the radio? If not, where does it go? I am totally rewiring my 57 and my old harness did not have the black wire in the engine harness. Also I forgot to write down where the switch wires went. The black wire was alone I think. If it does go to the radio, I notice it goes to the battery terminal on the switch. I think if one puts it to the accessory or up on the ignition 1 terminal then the radio is controlled by the switch. I think I had my old wiring set up that way. Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards,
Ted von Kampen

[Tom H.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Ted,

It does not go straight to the radio. It's either from the battery to the switch or from the switch to the fuse panel for accessories you want to power all the time. I can't remember which and I'm at work. I'm pretty sure someone else will give you the answer, but I'll check back later.

Good Luck,
Tom

[Tom H.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Ted,

The black wire goes to the ammeter on the same side as the red wire. Get a copy of the wiring diagram, it's extremely helpful.

Tom

[Theodore K.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

Tom,
Thanks for your note. Between the time I asked the question and your reply, I checked the black switch wire and found it actually went from the ignition switch to the big ring terminal on the starter. So bacically it is a feed wire from the starter bat cable to the back of the switch. Don't know if it branchs out or not but I will check the ammeter terminal as well. Thanks for the help.
Ted

[David S.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

The radios is a direct feed from the fuse panel. Marked Radio
Dave

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

I checked the black switch wire and found it actually went from the ignition switch to the big ring terminal on the starter.
Ted

Ted -

That black wire from the "BAT" terminal on the back of the ignition switch doesn't go to the starter solenoid - it goes to the same terminal on the ammeter where the 14-ga. black main feed wire from the starter solenoid connects.

[Theodore K.]

Re: 1957 Ignition Switch Wiring

That must be why it shows continuity to the starter solenoid wire. Thanks for clarifying. Those black wires are both crimped to one terminal and that goes to the ammeter.
Ted