I got the replacement key/tumbler in the mail from LMC today. I got the truck ready to try and fire it off, but nothing! I checked everything (I thought). Then I traced the wires back to the ignition (shoulda started there:crazy: )
Anyway, the wires are not connected to the plug on the back side under the dash... I see 4 wires coming out of the bundle-2 purple and 2 green. There is 5 male spades on the ignition, but only the 4 wires that I could see... Can someone explain how to hook up the 4 wires and where they go + should I have a 5th wire? I really need my owners manual to get here in the mail... Thanks for the help!
Dano:fb:

BUMP... Anyone know if there is a black plug that the ignition wires are soldered into OR are they attached directly to the back side of the ignition via spade connectors or something? I'm really going nuts with this...
Thanks-Dan

I don't have a diagram for a 57 truck. But, all the ign switches of GM I've seen have a black plastic multi-spade holder, that all wires plug into. These wires use a GM spade terminal that snaps into the black plastic block.
The only info I have is for a 72 GM truck. It shows the 2 dark green wires going to terminal number 35 on the switch, and one purple wire (heavy gauge wire) going to terminal no 6, with the other purple wire going to terminal no 5. On a 72, both purple wires come from the same source. Hope this helps.

is this a key starter of pedal stater?

Key starter! Has a 265 V-8 in it and no signs of ever having the floor starter feature...
Dan

I don't see the colors you see in my book. I can try to scan you a copy of the diagram and PM you with a web link link to it tomorrow.

You could try checking things with an ohm meter.

One connection on the switch will be common to all the connections when the key is at "run".

This common one will be for the 12v. in to the switch.

The one that has continuity from the common/12v lug to only continuity to when the key is turned to "start", will go to the solenoid.

The other's that are left probably went to ballast resistor, heater switch, fuel gauge, wiper switch and maybe temp gauge too.

What you notice is there is a serious lack of fuses in the old girl, most things went from the iginition switch to the switch to run the accessories...and also spliced out as well.

I'll look for my manual too, but don't know if the wiring diagram is color coded or not.

What the truck really needs is a new wiring kit from front to rear. It will happen, just not yet. I figure I am sooo close to seeing if this old 265 will fire off or not. If it will turn over, then I will keep it stock, if it needs everything under the hood, well then that's a whole new ball game :metal:
Dano

I took the ignition assembly off the dash. In the pics, the male blade connectors are labeled as follows: Upper left (2 connectors)=ignition, middle (1 connector)=solenoid, right side (1 connector)=accessories, bottom (2 connectors)=Battery. I have 2 green wires, a brown wire, a purple wire, and a larger gauge red wire. Anyone know which goes where?
Thanks-Dano

Dan,

99.9% sure the large red would be battery...if you ave a volt meter/dmm, you can verify easily enough.

Now the other ones...

Look at the wires on the Ballast resistor...it will be either green or brown...if green, then you'll have to ohm it out.

If brown it's a no brainer. and would go to ignition.

I'm betting Brown is the ignition, and the two green ones are accessories.

Prettty sure (75%) Purple will go to the solenoid...so take a look at it to verify. Purple has been used for many years for solenoids.


I looked through my supplement manual, and it only shows the digram, but not colors.

Sorry I can pinpoint them for you, but a meter would be your best friend right now. Just pick up a cheapy 9.99 one, all you need to have is one for continuity (ohms) and DC voltage.

Upper left (2 connectors)=ignition, middle (1 connector)=solenoid, right side (1 connector)=accessories, bottom (2 connectors)=Battery. I have 2 green wires, a brown wire, a purple wire, and a larger gauge red wire.

12 ga RED is Battery
SOL is 14 ga violet
IGN Pink, Brown and Pink

Brown to resistor and then Drk Green from resistor to starter and back to coil +
red battery wire splices into a black wire that goes from the ammeter to the + post on the starter
Pink to temp gage and drk green from temp gage to sender
2nd pink to gas gage

the green wires do not show on the switch for a V8 key start they do show for a 6 foot start but go to the same places just from the switch. you may have to trace them.

you need batt RED, sol violet (purple), brown to the resistor
the violet, pink, brown, and red should be in a plug in connector

the wiring on the starter is

battery + cable and black wire to the top post
Violet wire to the inside small post near the block , actuates the solenoid
green resistor wire to the outer small post
ground starp to frame and neg battery.

Thank you! I will start in on it and let you know how it turns out...I can rebuild an engine in my sleep, but wiring is not something I ever cared to deal with... Thanks again for the help!!!
Dano:)