OK, I am totally screwed!!!!

[hkestes41]

Took a weeks vacation to install a new engine and overdrive in my 48 P15 Coupe. Got all the mechanicals bolted up ready to go, then my troubles begin.

Since I am no wiring expert (hell, I'm not even to novice level) I took the time to label each wire with its location before removing the front sheet metal and old engine. A PO had converted the car to 12 volt and installed a Delco alternator with a 2 pin connector and a lug on the back labeled "battery".

I have to give the PO props since everything worked electrically when I bought the car with the exception of the gas gauge. However, that is all the credit he gets. What I didn't know was that hidded behind the electrical tape and plastic wire looms was a nightmare of wires joined together with nothing more than a few twists of the ends, or wires with insulation removed so that another could be spliced into the middle by wrapping the end around the other wire. Needless to say, once I started moving things around during the engine swap, wires seperated and all my work of labeling went out the window. Put everything back the best I could figure out but now I have NOTHING. No lights, horn, or cranking.

Don't know why but the thought of trying to rectify this mess intimidates the hell out of me and the wiring diagram in my manual doesn't make me feel any better. I don't even know where to start with the plate of spaghetti under my hood.

After that rant, I do have a few questions.

1) On the horn relay, solenoid switch and voltage regulator does it matter which terminal a wire is connected to?

2) If the answer to #1 is yes, since it is now 12V - ground, do I need to reverse all the connections?

3) If the answer to #2 is yes how do I know which terminal to move the connection to?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[david lazarus]

Sorry but I can't answer your specific question, but do not let electrics fool you, by thinking they are complicated. Electrics were explained to me as follows.

Think of the electrics as a water system...the battery is like a "lake", the wires just like a pipe...you pipe the water (elecricity) to where you need it.

A relay is simply a "remote switch" can be activated with only a little electricity but can switch on and off higher loads with ease.

Grab yourself a test light, and continuity tester which are both cheap and go for it.

Replacing the generator with an alternator makes everything even easier.

[BobT-47P15]

OK......here's a couple things from the parts manual for P15s.

Do you own a repair manual? If not, I would suggest getting one.

Here is one item regarding wiring.

Here is a copy of the wiring diagram.......

If it would make it any easier to read, am also sending a link to the

diagram in my PhotoBucket album.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/BobT3/Parts%20Book%20-%20Other%20Literature/100_2970.jpg

[hkestes41]

Well things are really looking up.

I placed my original post on the HAMB as well, a local HAMBer that lives about 15 minutes from me offered to help, Said he loves electrical (sick puppy).

Anyway, I bought an EZ Wire harness and he came to my house 2 nights in a row and basically rewired my car. He took the time to explain what he was doing and why which took some of the mystery out of it. He left me the dash wiring to do and I have worked on it some in addition to bending up the fuel lines, cleaning up the speedo and some other small stuff.

The motor starts and once I get the shift linkage adjusted will take it to the muffler shop for new exhaust. Will be traveling for work next week so it will have to wait, but much closer than I was a few days ago.

Have to give a huge thanks to SpecialK and I owe him big time.

[John Mulders]

Good to hear that your problems are solved.

If that is with the help of a fellow car lover than that is just great too, that is as far as I see the fun part of cars. Help eachother out , and he seems to have explained it to you, and enjoy eachothers company.

John