What Wires Go to the Ignition Switch?
The battery wire, the ground wire, and the starting wire are the three major wires that connect to the ignition switch. The positive terminal on the battery is where the battery wire is connected. The negative terminal of the battery is where the ground wire is connected.
When changing the ignition switch in your car, you may wonder what wires go to the ignition switch. Thankfully, there is a simple method for this:
- Please make sure the switch you are replacing has its wiring harness.
- You should slide the wires from their holding spots and attach them to the new switch’s release tabs.
- Ensure the new harness matches the release tabs on your car.
Once you’ve attached all the wires, press them into place.
Blue/Grey is a power lead.
The blue/grey power lead from your ignition switch is not ground. Instead, it draws power from the right-hand light switch’s output. This power supply feeds many parts of your motorcycle, from headlight circuits to the ignition key. A power voltmeter can tell you which terminals in your ignition switch get power when you turn the key to the “on” position.
Grey is a ground
The grey wire is a neutral or power lead, not a ground. Instead, it is sourced from a right-hand light switch or load shed relay output. This lead controls circuits for the headlights and parking light, respectively. The switch cluster does not have a light switch and uses the ignition key as its power source. Listed below are some different ways the grey wire can be damaged.
The small red wire is connected to your crucial switch’s IGN (ignition) wire. It looks gray in the picture, but it may be connected to this wire instead. The pink wire is a ground wire and may be ground. This wire can be damaged, so it is essential to check it first. This wire can be connected to the battery if it has a short. If the pink wire is not attached to the key, it could be the ground wire for the ignition switch.
Blue/White is the ground.
The big ignition harness wires are +12V. They are probably not grounded if they don’t match the color of the ground wire on your ignition switch. Then the condenser will continually charge 300-500 volts during engine operation. Sometimes, the condenser wire will be connected to the kill switch if there is a poor ground connection, which can happen if the ignition switch is powder-coated or does not have a metal grounding contact.
Electrical wiring is dangerous and complicated, but adequately identifying the wires is critical. Different colors indicate different wire types. Ground wires are green. Green wires with yellow stripes are also ground wires. Bare copper wires are also ground wires. These wires are designed to be shock-absorbing so that electricity is safely sent to the ground. If you suspect that the wires in your car aren’t grounded, you should contact a certified electrician.
The starter relay wire is a power lead.
You may be able to find your starter relay in one of several places. Some are under the hood, in a long box containing fuses and relays, while others are under the dash or mounted behind the car stereo. If you cannot find yours, you should check your owner’s manual to see where it is located. Once you find it, you can replace the relay and reinstall it in your vehicle.
Using a digital voltmeter, you can check the starting relay wire by connecting a jumper wire to the positive and negative terminals. If you notice a resistance higher than one ohm, the relay needs to be replaced. Likewise, if the resistance is below one ohm, it’s possible the relay needs to be cleaned or replaced. You can also use a wire brush and baking powder to clean the terminals.
The larger terminal is connected to the ignition switch, while the smaller terminal is connected to the magnetic coil inside the starter relay. It may be marked as ‘ground’ or ‘negative,’ so make sure you know which one is connected. You’ll need a 16-gauge wire for this connection. You can use a neutral safety switch to route the negative wire from the starter relay to the ignition switch for automatic transmissions.
Checking the start relay is an integral part of daily maintenance. The starter relay is likely bad if you notice any difficulty starting your vehicle or a weak clicking sound when you turn the ignition key. The wiring between the ignition switch and the starter relay should also be checked and cleaned. If the wire is not connected correctly or is loose, a professional mechanic should be able to fix the issue.
The neutral safety switch is ground.
If your car’s neutral safety switch is not working, you may need to replace it. Unfortunately, these parts can damage due to corrosion, age, and accumulation of dirt. The good news is that these switches are easy to replace. You can do it yourself using a repair manual or an ohmmeter. If unsure how to check it, you can also try a scan tool.
If you notice the engine cranks when you put them in the park, the problem may be with the neutral safety wiring. The switch may also be loose in the transmission or a different electrical problem. Either way, the vehicle will be unable to start. While this can be frustrating, it’s vital to fix the problem as soon as possible. If you cannot identify the problem, don’t hesitate to take it to a mechanic. You should replace the switch immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
The wiring to the ignition switch is relatively easy to determine, too. There’s a purple wire for the ignition switch, which goes to the starter solenoid. The other purple wire goes to the neutral safety switch connector. The two wires connect to the same connector in the firewall. It’s also possible to use an ohm meter to check the continuity of the wire at the safety switch.
The wiring diagrams are typical for that year’s vehicle. The “N” button on the Torqueflite shifter box completes part of the ignition circuit. To complete the circuit, the engine must be stopped. The vacuum switch then closes, allowing a low current to flow on the solenoid terminal. Finally, the small terminal is connected to the neutral safety switch in the transmission. The car will not start without this switch.
