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55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | I'll start. These are from the 55-56 Plymouth Factory Service Manual (FSM) pdf. (55PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg) (55PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg) (56PlymouthInstrumentsAndAccessoriesWiringDiagram.jpg) (56PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg) (56PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg) (55-56PlymouthHeaterAndDefrosterWiringDiagram.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 55PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg (161KB - 687 downloads) 55PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg (133KB - 574 downloads) 56PlymouthInstrumentsAndAccessoriesWiringDiagram.jpg (131KB - 516 downloads) 56PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg (178KB - 501 downloads) 56PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg (175KB - 491 downloads) 55-56PlymouthHeaterAndDefrosterWiringDiagram.jpg (232KB - 504 downloads) | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | This is a start (based on previously posted diagrams): Pg. 180 from the 56 Dodge FSM: A partially coloured version of the same: Pg. 181 from the 56 Dodge FSM: Pg. 189 from the 56 Dodge FSM with windshield wiper, heater, and power top wiring info: A colour-coded diagram purchased from eBay | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Just flagging this thread for Jeff the ViperMan. It includes 55 and 56 wiring. | ||
ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Thanks Dave! Now to order wire... | ||
ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Interesting - in the 55 diagrams, most of the wires are 16 gauge with a few 12’s and 14’s in there. In the 56 diagrams, everything is 18 with some 12, 14, and 16 wires. Almost like they realized mid-model that they could use smaller wires. I wonder what size I should go with... Tempted to step up to the larger gauges but soldering will be tougher. | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | ViperMan - 2019-04-29 2:07 PM Interesting - in the 55 diagrams, most of the wires are 16 gauge with a few 12’s and 14’s in there. In the 56 diagrams, everything is 18 with some 12, 14, and 16 wires. Almost like they realized mid-model that they could use smaller wires. I wonder what size I should go with... Tempted to step up to the larger gauges but soldering will be tougher. If the diagrams are correct they show 55 as 6 volt and 56 as 12 volt. The 12 volt wires would carry half the current as the 6 volt hence lighter wires. Greg | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9883 Location: So. Cal | Yes, it makes sense when you consider the change from 6 volt to 12 volt. Notice that neither of these diagrams show a ballast resistor in the ignition circuit. The 6 volt system didn't need it, and it was overlooked in '56 because those diagrams don't show it there either. But it was certainly included on the cars. I wonder at what point they figured it out. The ballast resistor is shown in the '57 diagrams. | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Powerflite - 2019-04-29 3:45 PM Yes, it makes sense when you consider the change from 6 volt to 12 volt. Notice that neither of these diagrams show a ballast resistor in the ignition circuit. The 6 volt system didn't need it, and it was overlooked in '56 because those diagrams don't show it there either. But it was certainly included on the cars. I wonder at what point they figured it out. The ballast resistor is shown in the '57 diagrams. I had tried to post on this earlier as in Volts x Amps = Power so for the same Power requirement, 6 V will need more amps and therefore a thicker gauge wire, e.g. 12 or 14 vs 12 V needing only 16 or 18 gauge. That said, thicker is always going to be better (well, mostly). As for the ballast resistor it shows in all of the 56 wiring diagrams that I have posted. Also shows on the 57 Dodge ignition wiring diagram (for example): Edited by 56D500boy 2019-04-29 7:36 PM (57Dodge8CylinderIgnitionWiringDiagram.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 57Dodge8CylinderIgnitionWiringDiagram.jpg (146KB - 494 downloads) | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9883 Location: So. Cal | There is a resistor shown on there, but it's on the wrong side of the coil. My car wasn't wired up that way. Is yours? | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Resistor is before the coil. | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | 56D500boy - 2019-04-29 11:01 PM Resistor is before the coil. :) Of course it is!! Why else would it even be there!! In these early 12 volt systems, up to 1960, the resistors were simple and encased in porcelain. When one started the car the resistor would be cool and have little resistance and allow pretty much full voltage to flow to the coil for a hotter spark. This hotter spark gave the ignition an extra jump to help get the engine started and even warmed up a bit. Trouble was that the coils could not sustain full voltage for any length of time, SO, as current flowed through the resistor it got much hotter and as the heat increased the resistance increased and cut back the voltage to about 9-10 so the coil could operate normally for extended periods. In 1960 and for the higher priced models in 1959, the ballast resistors together with the ignition switches completely changed. Greg | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | LD3 Greg - 2019-04-29 8:50 PM 56D500boy - 2019-04-29 11:01 PM Resistor is before the coil. :) Of course it is!! Why else would it even be there!! Just commenting on Nathan's (Powerflite's) statement: Powerflite - 2019-04-29 4:51 PM There is a resistor shown on there, but it's on the wrong side of the coil. My car wasn't wired up that way. Is yours? | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | LD3 Greg - 2019-04-29 8:50 PM In these early 12 volt systems, up to 1960, the resistors were simple and encased in porcelain. When one started the car the resistor would be cool and have little resistance and allow pretty much full voltage to flow to the coil for a hotter spark. This hotter spark gave the ignition an extra jump to help get the engine started and even warmed up a bit. Trouble was that the coils could not sustain full voltage for any length of time, SO, as current flowed through the resistor it got much hotter and as the heat increased the resistance increased and cut back the voltage to about 9-10 so the coil could operate normally for extended periods. In 1960 and for the higher priced models in 1959, the ballast resistors together with the ignition switches completely changed. Greg Greg: Thanks for that explanation. I did not know that the resistance of a ballast resistor actually changed. Very clever on the part of the original designer (and patent holder I am sure). | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | This should read how an EARLY ballast resistor works. I might be able to get access to my board of factory original examples to illustrate this. Not sure if my board is even still intact!! The new property owner only changes out stuff as he requires!! The "ignition" circuit of these cars, 57 to mid sixties underwent a constant and continual change that is interesting! Greg | ||
Finsinthemirror |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1124 Location: CA | whats the correct rating for the resistors for each year? | ||
ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Fascinating!! The 12 vs 6 volt discussion makes total sense - never thought about that! I ordered all the original gages based on these diagrams. There’s a lot of soldering in my future! My car also has a small capacitor attached to the ground side of the coil. I didn’t see that in any of the diagrams. Mine is pretty frayed - any idea what type of unit to replace it with? | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | Finsinthemirror - 2019-05-01 4:27 AM whats the correct rating for the resistors for each year? I have no idea! I know what the OEM resistors looked like as well as their part numbers. For cars I intended to "show" and wanted factory original, I was able to locate NOS parts. For the others I used Pertronix systems so any newer resistor would work. Good question. How do you get an ohm value for a variable resistance ballast resistor? Also remember that these variable or heat variable guys were discontinued for some models in 59 and all models in 60. Greg | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | ViperMan - 2019-05-01 11:15 AM Fascinating!! The 12 vs 6 volt discussion makes total sense - never thought about that! I ordered all the original gages based on these diagrams. There’s a lot of soldering in my future! My car also has a small capacitor attached to the ground side of the coil. I didn’t see that in any of the diagrams. Mine is pretty frayed - any idea what type of unit to replace it with? They were radio noise supressors. Should have been one at the generator, one at the regulator and the one at the coil. You need to talk to our radio guys!! Greg | ||
ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Ah - well that's very interesting. I guess they still installed these even on the "radio delete" cars... | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . Just adding this attempt at annotating one of the 56 Dodge wiring diagrams related to the horn with colour (not that it matters, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler and presumably Desoto, all used different wire colours for the same item, e.g. horn relay) and also the wiring diagram for the internals on a horn relay: This is for the 56 Dodge: Edited by 56D500boy 2021-01-24 2:30 AM (56DodgeWiringDiagrams_StartingIgnitionGeneratorHorn_Annotated.jpg) (HornRelayDiagram_56DodgeFSM.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56DodgeWiringDiagrams_StartingIgnitionGeneratorHorn_Annotated.jpg (174KB - 347 downloads) HornRelayDiagram_56DodgeFSM.jpg (80KB - 299 downloads) | ||
56D500boy |
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Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 10179 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . This 56 Chrysler wiring diagram might come in handy: Edited by 56D500boy 2022-09-08 10:01 AM (56ChryslerWiringDiagram.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56ChryslerWiringDiagram.jpg (122KB - 114 downloads) | ||
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