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08-07-2022, 10:53 AM | #1 |
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Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
I'm installing a 12 circuit wiring harness on 12 volt, negative ground Flathead powered vehicle. I've come to a stumbling block in wiring my 1936 Column mounted ignition switch. I'm planning to use a dash mounted start button like the one below.
On the back of my ignition switch are two posts which I'm confused about wiring. My problem is that I am using a universal Speedway 12 circuit wire harness and don't know which ignition wire goes to which post. My harness instructions are as follows: -My assumption is that the red wire (Ignition Switch Wire) goes to the battery post on the ignition switch and the pink wire (Ignition Switch Coil) goes to the other post, but which post is which? -The orange wire (Ignition Switch ACC) goes to the Accessory terminal on the switch who's location is unknown to me. -The brown wire (Ignition Switch IGN) goes to the same terminal as the pink wire. -I believe that the purple wire (Ignition Switch Start) goes to the start button? As you can tell I'm not very well versed on automotive electronics so any help you can provide will be very much appreciated. Tony |
08-07-2022, 01:06 PM | #2 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
The switch on your column drop is designed to power the ignition only--it is merely an "on/off" switch. One side is hot and the other side goes to your coil, doesn't matter which side. I wouldn't connect anything else to it--it isn't heavy enough to carry many amps. It shouldn't be the switch for any accessories--they all should be on separate circuit(s).
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08-07-2022, 01:20 PM | #3 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Thanks swedishsteel, I'll wire the red to one post and both pink and brown wires to the other post. Am I right that the purple (Ign Switch Start) goes to the one wire start button which is grounded to the dash?
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08-07-2022, 01:23 PM | #4 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Am I right in assuming that the orange wire (ign switch ACC) can be left out since I don't have any accessories; radio, heater etc...?
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08-07-2022, 02:40 PM | #5 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
I suspect the brown wire provides juice to the signals, wipers, fuel pump, etc, which may be in excess of the stock switches capacity if you have those items. I feel the signals alone would be too much load for the stock switch.
I don't remember there being an actual schematic with the Speedway harnesses I dealt with. May take a little circuit testing to see which fuses/circuits the brown and orange wires actually power. The purple start wire can be used for the grounding start button, if the other end is connected to a grounding starting relay. I usually use the stock ign switch to switch a power relay to limit the current load on the internal brush and contact of the stock switch. |
08-07-2022, 03:15 PM | #6 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
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Ideally you can use your column drop switch to activate a relay.
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Tim Downtown, Ca |
08-07-2022, 04:41 PM | #7 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Thanks RichB and CA Victoria. The only thing I’m running on your list are signals. I do have a four post solenoid installed. Your right, the harness while universal, is designed for a GM plug-in module on the column. I pulled the wires from the module and am attempting to wire them to my 36 drop column switch and start button individually. I’ve been searching for a couple of days for someone who has gone through this dilemma while wiring a hot rod and have come up empty.
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08-07-2022, 07:15 PM | #8 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
the answer above is right on the money, i have been using my original switch for 10 yrs wired to a relay to power the other systems. paul
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08-07-2022, 08:19 PM | #9 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Thanks Paul, do you happen to have a diagram or reference showing what is wired to the relay? Thanks, Tony
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08-07-2022, 10:16 PM | #10 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
There is a thread here about using relays to power the original switch, sorry I dont have it bookmarked. I use a relay in my 34, and have it wired so that when you turn on the ignition, it grounds the relay to energize it.
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08-07-2022, 11:57 PM | #11 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
No picture handy:
run the red wire to 30 on the relay and add a jumper to 85 run a wire from one terminal on the ign switch to 86 ground the other terminal on the ign switch connect the pink, brown, and orange wires to 87 If you want to use the late model starter solenoid you have with the stock grounded start button, it can also be controlled by a relay. Connect 30 to one of the unused ign or acc circuits on your harness also jump to 85 connect the purple wire to 87 and the other end to the S terminal on the starter solenoid connect the starter button to 86 Wired this way the starter will only work when the key is on. |
08-08-2022, 06:56 AM | #12 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Diagrams for above post
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08-08-2022, 09:16 AM | #13 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Thanks very much for the help rich b. A couple of questions if you don't mind. It looks like only two wires go to the actual switch terminals; one from the relay pin 86 and the other from a good ground, right? My other question is what relay amp ratings do you recommend?
Thanks again, Tony |
08-08-2022, 09:24 AM | #14 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Would these work?
EHDIS Car Relay 4 Pin 12v 40amp Spst Model No.: JD2912-1H-12VDC 40A 14VDC, Auto Switches & Starters,Pack of 2 |
08-08-2022, 12:45 PM | #15 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Not familiar with the brand; but that style relay will work.
Yes, just those two wires on the ign switch; it is only activating the relay which in turn powers the coil (pink) along with the ign on circuits (brown), and acc circuits (orange). Don't overlook including a proper ballast resistor somewhere in the coil circuit. |
08-08-2022, 12:49 PM | #16 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Tony PM your address, I will be happy to contribute to your project, I can send you a couple of relays.
T.
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Tim Downtown, Ca |
08-08-2022, 01:31 PM | #17 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Thank you gentlemen.
rich b I will use the Orange Ign ACC wire on the start button relay pin 30 if that's OK. Tim, thank you for your generous offer but I've ordered the two relays shown in the pic. Thanks again |
08-08-2022, 05:04 PM | #18 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
That orange wire won't have any juice in it, it is a wire to feed juice into acc circuits in the fuse panel. Pick out a wire that come from the fuse panel designated for something you are not using. Make note of it on panel ID and fuse appropriately for the start circuit.
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08-08-2022, 06:55 PM | #19 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
Will do, thanks again.
Tony |
08-09-2022, 01:28 PM | #20 |
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Re: Help with 36 Column Drop Ignition
rich b, I’m going to you use the radio power wire on pin 30 since I won’t be running a radio. I’ll be sure to fuse it. Earlier you mentioned a ballast resistor on the coil circuit; if I’m running a ballast coil would you still recommend adding a ballast resistor? Thanks again I really appreciate your help. Tony
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