The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

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
   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Electrical, Battery and ChargingMessage format
 
56D500boy
Posted 2018-11-20 1:24 PM (#573854)
Subject: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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
----------------
Attachments 55PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg (161KB - 534 downloads)
Attachments 55PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg (133KB - 468 downloads)
Attachments 56PlymouthInstrumentsAndAccessoriesWiringDiagram.jpg (131KB - 468 downloads)
Attachments 56PlymouthLightsAndTurnSignalsWiringDiagram.jpg (178KB - 458 downloads)
Attachments 56PlymouthStartingGeneratingIgnitionAndHorn.jpg (175KB - 455 downloads)
Attachments 55-56PlymouthHeaterAndDefrosterWiringDiagram.jpg (232KB - 464 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2018-11-20 1:45 PM (#573857 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: 56 Dodge Specific Wiring



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-04-27 2:46 PM (#581415 - in reply to #573857)
Subject: RE: 56 Dodge Specific Wiring



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
Just flagging this thread for Jeff the ViperMan. It includes 55 and 56 wiring.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
ViperMan
Posted 2019-04-29 1:55 PM (#581515 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Regular

Posts: 53
2525
Thanks Dave! Now to order wire...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ViperMan
Posted 2019-04-29 2:07 PM (#581516 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Regular

Posts: 53
2525
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.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
LD3 Greg
Posted 2019-04-29 5:42 PM (#581529 - in reply to #581516)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Expert

Posts: 1906
1000500100100100100
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
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2019-04-29 6:45 PM (#581531 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
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.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-04-29 7:32 PM (#581536 - in reply to #581531)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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
----------------
Attachments 57Dodge8CylinderIgnitionWiringDiagram.jpg (146KB - 434 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2019-04-29 7:51 PM (#581537 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
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?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-04-29 11:01 PM (#581551 - in reply to #581537)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
Resistor is before the coil.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
LD3 Greg
Posted 2019-04-29 11:50 PM (#581552 - in reply to #581551)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Expert

Posts: 1906
1000500100100100100
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
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-04-30 1:54 AM (#581553 - in reply to #581552)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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?


Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-04-30 12:14 PM (#581570 - in reply to #581552)
Subject: How a ballast resistor works by LD3Greg



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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).



Top of the page Bottom of the page
LD3 Greg
Posted 2019-05-01 12:33 AM (#581595 - in reply to #581570)
Subject: RE: How a ballast resistor works by LD3Greg


Expert

Posts: 1906
1000500100100100100
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



Top of the page Bottom of the page
Finsinthemirror
Posted 2019-05-01 4:27 AM (#581598 - in reply to #581595)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1115
1000100
Location: CA
whats the correct rating for the resistors for each year?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ViperMan
Posted 2019-05-01 11:15 AM (#581619 - in reply to #573854)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Regular

Posts: 53
2525
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?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
LD3 Greg
Posted 2019-05-01 11:27 PM (#581656 - in reply to #581598)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Expert

Posts: 1906
1000500100100100100
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
Top of the page Bottom of the page
LD3 Greg
Posted 2019-05-03 12:18 AM (#581707 - in reply to #581619)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Expert

Posts: 1906
1000500100100100100
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
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ViperMan
Posted 2019-06-01 4:53 PM (#582806 - in reply to #581707)
Subject: Re: 55-56 Dodge And Plymouth Wiring Diagrams from the FSMs and elsewhere


Regular

Posts: 53
2525
Ah - well that's very interesting. I guess they still installed these even on the "radio delete" cars...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2021-01-23 11:32 PM (#608101 - in reply to #573857)
Subject: RE: 56 Dodge Specific Wiring



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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
----------------
Attachments 56DodgeWiringDiagrams_StartingIgnitionGeneratorHorn_Annotated.jpg (174KB - 257 downloads)
Attachments HornRelayDiagram_56DodgeFSM.jpg (80KB - 254 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-09-08 2:15 AM (#624092 - in reply to #608101)
Subject: 56 Chrysler Wiring Diagram for reference



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
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
----------------
Attachments 56ChryslerWiringDiagram.jpg (122KB - 79 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)