Electrical ???

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, decided to cawl under the dash and have a good look, will need to replace a lot of wiring, but it ain't lookin to complicated.

The first thing I did change was to re-route the dash panel lights to the panel switch, I also ran the light to the clock and water temp gauge too.

The hot wire for the panle light switch comes off the main light switch. The idea is that the panel light would always have power to it, you just need to use the panel switch to keep the lights off in the dash. But on my switch, the panel lights would only go on, when the patk lights were turned on, and when the headlights were turned on they would go off. I looked at the schematic for both C38 and P15, tried to move the connections on the light switch around, but the same result followed, except whatever lead I plugged into the panel light spot on the main switch, would turn off when you would open the switch all the way.

For now, until I re-wire the car, I ran a new hot wire from the hot lead at the circuit breaker attached to the light switch, to my panel switch, my panel lights nowwork any time you pull on its own switch.

The clock light, which I had to make, as the original was no where to be seen, does not light the clock up much, is there a special light that goes inside or something.

Also ran 2 wires from fuel gauge to sending unit, tried everything, can not get the gauge to move a bit, don't know what isn't working the gauge or the sending unit.............Fred

[grey beard]

Fred,

Sounds like you're already beginning to rewire the car - one wire at a time. Made a new harness for mine, and the truck schematic is nearly identical to your car. Took four hours to make the harness and another four to put all the terminal ends on - sodered and heat shrink on each one. I say go for it. You'll be glad you did. LOL:)

[bob_amos]

Fred, Looks like wiring is not intimidating you in any way. Glad to see that. Electrical systems are my personal specialty. I actually make my living working on electrical systems and find it pretty easy work. While I am happy that most people are affraid of all that coloured spagetti (sp) I have always wondered why a person can do an engine or transmission rebuild and not be able, or willing, to handle the electrical system. I have done all of these and find electrical systems to actually be easier to work with. It's either right or wrong. Not much bothering with clearances and preloads and torque specs.Not that these are all that difficult, but they are tougher to deal with than an electron moving through a wire. So, it's good to see you tackling that electrical system. Good luck to you.

[BobT-47P15]

Fred, how well is the gas tank grounded to the body??? Did you paint everything around the tank, etc. It needs to be grounded....so maybe run a separate ground wire to a good clean contact. My best guess.

[55 Fargo]

Bob, Dave and Bob, thanx for your replies, No I don't find the wiring on these cars intimidating in the least bit, I do find the schematic a little hard to follow in spots.

Money or lack of, necessitates my doing the re-wire myself, I don't mind however, find it somewhat relaxing, I would find a trans intimidating as compared to this.

The tank is out of the car, I have the sedning unit wired up to the gauge, maybe I did not have the sending unit grounded well enough in my test, will try again...........Thanx Fred