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Posted By Discussion Topic: '36 electrical problems -- page: 1 2     ole_Bill 03-21-2011 @ 5:21 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 165 Joined: Dec 2009 The instructions for installing my alternator say to connect it to the "main battery wire". Would I be correct to assume they mean the large wire that was once connected to the cutout? Also, I'm have trouble understanding the function of the ignition switch (really!). Exactly what does it switch? It appears that all of the electrical items in the car, with the exception of the coil/distributer (and starter) are hot even when the switch is off. Could this be right? If so, the electric fuel pump will run all the time, even when the switch is off. I'm working from a wiring diagram I got from the VanPelt website. Help!! supereal 03-21-2011 @ 5:41 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The output of a one wire alternator is connected to the wire between the dash and what was the output of the cutout. Apparently you have not connected the ignition switch properly. There are three terminals. One is connected to a battery source, one to the ignition coil via the resistor, and the other feeds the rest, including the pump. They are marked on the back of the switch. I suspect your diagram is inaccurate. If you need an original, I can post one. 37RAGTOPMAN 03-21-2011 @ 6:12 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1965 Joined: Oct 2009 olebill was wondering if you have the original distributer in the car, running 6 volts, or a aftermarket pointless distributer running 12 volts. do you have the original floor mounted starter switch,or a FORD solinoid on the firewall,? using a push button, it would be nice to know, exactly, is the alt one wire? ot have a regulator? using the original ignition switch,, or a multi terminal aftermarket,? using any power relays,? hard to give advice with limited knowledge of what you are starting with,sorry for the confusion, can you describe with more information ? hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN,,,, ole_Bill 03-22-2011 @ 8:25 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 165 Joined: Dec 2009 Sorry I didn't supply more complete info. The car is 6V+ with a one wire 6V alternator. No regulator. The distributer is a 21A 6V electronic built specifically for this car by Pit Stop in Texas. I am using an original floor mounted starter switch. No solinoid, no power relays, altho I haven't wired the horns yet and may need a relay in the future. ole_Bill 03-22-2011 @ 12:02 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 165 Joined: Dec 2009 Supereal - please post the schematic. I checked and my ignition switch has only two connections. Can't say if it is original because the previous owner made so many "shade-tree" modifications. This message was edited by ole_Bill on 3-22-11 @ 12:08 PM supereal 03-22-2011 @ 12:12 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 I'll look it up and scan it, Bill. Wow, that sure isn't a Ford ignition switch! It makes me wonder what else was "improved" in your car! If that is an indication, you may be faced with replacing the whole wiring loom, not an easy task, to say the least. This message was edited by supereal on 3-22-11 @ 12:12 PM supereal 03-22-2011 @ 12:28 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 OK, Bill, I am attaching a "simplified" '36 wiring diagram. I suspect that the original switch was replaced with something else, because there was a design change in late '37 that affected the '38 and later models, making the earlier switch hard to find. Some better vendors, such as C&G, may be able to furnish one. 37RAGTOPMAN 03-22-2011 @ 2:04 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1965 Joined: Oct 2009 ole-bill that IGN switch is the exact same one that I have in my 37, one lead in is hot, with switch off and the other should be hot with switch on, so both are hot with switch on, power in,power out use a test light,hook up battery,check both terminals,make sure the switch is off,hook the fuel pump to that one and also the wire going to the distributer, this is the one with no power with in the off position, one of those wire should be running over to the resister block,then down to the distributer,already on the resister block, remove one of the wires, connect both together, so you are disconnecting the resister, with the electronic dist, I do not think you need the resister,[check this out ] the resister lowers the voltage from 6 volts to 3 1/2 so the coil will overheat, the fuel pump should run now,, and the distributer should receive currant also,once you turn the switch on, Only problem I have with doing that you have a lot of things coming off one terminal,check to see if it gets hot after running for a period of time,. being you are not using the resister it should be ok, just make sure the contacts are clean and tight, if you were to run more items you might have to pick up currant someplace else,that is were a power relay would come in, but do not worry about now, as far as the alt is concerned,you should be able to use the wire that went to the generator,it should work the same, going in the dash and going though the amp meter that is in the car, I am assuming you have a one wire ALT, I had a problem with a generator, and wanted a replacement in a few days and bought one from Certified Auto Electric.and it wired up , with the existing wire that was going to the orginal generator, so you should be good to go, the rest of the wiring should remain the same,starter switch,etc, if you do not have a good test light or voltmeter , pick either ot both, will make life easier, hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN we expect some pictures of this project,,,!!!! on your electric cooling fan, were are you picking up power now,? Lets hear how you made out,!!!!!!! This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 3-22-11 @ 2:46 PM supereal 03-22-2011 @ 5:01 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 I stand corrected. The diagram shows only two connections, rather than the three that became standard the next year. ole_Bill 03-23-2011 @ 8:01 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 165 Joined: Dec 2009 RAGTOP - Your suggestions worked out well. I haven't wired the radiator fan yet but will be working on it soon. Nor have I installed the front or rear lights (car is just back from the paint shop). I have a good VOM and you're right, it does come in handy. Many thanks for the help.

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