Anyone care to help me with this wiring issue? This is on a 56 Lauentian. I want to convert to an alternator from a generator. The wiring was removed before I got the car. Here are my questions starting with the ignition switch.......there are 4 wires going to the ign switch RED- which is cut off(where should it go)? PINK- goes to the fuse box......Dark Blue- (where should it go)? Brown-which I assume goes to the solenoid as it does go through the firewall to the engine area. Now comes the mess that I assume went to the original generator.........coming out of the harness from under the dash and exiting into the engine comparment are two wires One is Purple which has a spade terminal on it and the other is Black and has a lug on it for a solenoid or to mount to the power stud on the original generator. In that same small harness there is a smaller black wire with a spade on it that comes back from the engine goes up towards the firewall and then comes out of the harness with a spade attached( this wire does lead back under the dash it stays within the engine area) I'm thinking it may have been for the voltage reg. This all being said my goal is to hook up my circa 1999 GM "CS" style alternator and make it work!!! Any help would be great!!! Thanks........Lennox
Sorry to say that the wiring in our cars (I have a 56 also) seems to be a blend of American Pontiac and Chevrolet.
For example, here is what I traced the wiring on my headlight switch (the switch itself is American Pontiac, the Chevrolet switch is completely different):
Now I suspect the same is true of your ignition switch (mine worked fine so I never took it out to examine the wiring) -
1. I have an American Pontiac wiring diagram for 1956 and it shows 4 wires on the ignition switch (again the switch itself is American Pontiac, the Chevrolet switch is completely different): Red - B - connected to B terminal of voltage regulator and also to one side of the ammeter Pink - SOL - connected to starter solenoid Yellow - ACC - connected to fuse box for accessories such as turn signals, backup lamps, heater Purple - IGN - connected to ballast resistor (and from there to the coil + terminal)
Notice how the colors do not match your switch.
2. If you look at that Chevy wiring diagram, you will see a bewildering bunch of wires coming out of the ignition switch - that is because it is a different switch than the Pontiac switch. Very hard to figure out what should go where, but it sort of looks like: Brown - to ballast resistor (and from there to the coil + terminal) Red - through dash to B terminal on horn relay which is wired to B terminal on voltage regulator Pink - ACC - connected to accessories such as turn signals, backup lamps, heater Dark Blue - ??? No such color shown - but by process of elimination this must be for the starter solenoid - but see below
I would look closely at your ignition switch and see if there are letters stamped for B, SOL, ACC & IGN - if so, this will tell you which terminal is what function and therefore run wires accordingly.
Otherewise, go with #2 above, basically the Chevy colors (except for that dark blue). It would be wise to do a continuity check with NO POWER to the switch as you turn the switch - see if there are zero ohms between Red and Brown when you turn ignition to on (one click clockwise), and between Red and Dark Blue when you turn it to start (two clicks clockwise), and between Red and Pink when you turn it to accessory (one click counterclockwise)
Regarding the black wires etc coming from the harness to the engine compartment, I cannot help you much, there are no black wires that go to the voltage regulator on either Chevy or Pontiac. The American Pontiac does show a pair of wires that go to the starter solenoid, Black for the Run position and Purple for the Start position.
Alternatior substitution for generator is covered as well as possible in that other thread here Beaumont4008 mentioned.
PM me with your email address and I will send you the American Pontiac wiring diagram in pdf format.
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse on Saturday 18th of July 2009 09:37:45 AM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod