Another '36 ammeter/fuse question

Gonedon · March 26, 2022, 12:08:09 PM

TodFitch
Thanks for responding! I am checking out the sources for wiring harnesses you suggested. Hope to get my 36 P2 back on the road before this summer! Another 36 coupe was my first car in 1962! Paid 40 silver dollars from my paper route for it...
Gonedon

TodFitch · March 13, 2022, 03:10:42 PM

The factory service manual for your car should have a wiring diagram. Sometimes the diagram is lacking on wire gauge and/or tracer colors but it is a start.

There are several companies that make replacement wiring harnesses. None are inexpensive but at least a few have a reputation for very good quality product that looks the same as the original. They seem to use wire with modern insulation but then cover it with factory original style woven loom, etc. I have dealt with YnZ's located in California and with Harnesses Unlimited located on the east coast and been pleased with both. I have heard good things about RI Wiring too but have not dealt with them.

Gonedon · March 13, 2022, 02:35:32 PM

I now have a 1936 P2 Coupe. The wiring is a mess. Can anyone suggest a reliable source for information on correctly replacing the entire system. Especially the in and out wire associated with an amp meter with a fuse. Found a wiring diagram on the internet but it does not appear to reflect my P2??? Any suggestions much appreciated. Gonedon

36 Ply · July 14, 2008, 09:42:24 AM

CG sailor-

Thanks for posting the pictures of your ammeter. They answered my question about how the ammeter fuse protects the lighting circuit. Your idea of color coding the wiring diagram is a good one.

Jim Cno= Thanks for posting your explanation of which wires go to which terminal on the ammeter. I'll stick my head back under the dash soon and see if my wires go where they should.

As I recall, something was screwed up with the wiring when I bought the car in 1990, but I can't remember what it was.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

CG sailor · July 13, 2008, 05:12:21 PM

Jim
Thats what I was going to do if I couldnt find the holder. I just thought it would have been easy to find the right piece.

JimCno · July 13, 2008, 10:50:31 AM

I've been away for a while so you may already have figured this out but:
1. Yes, your lights should go out if you remove the fuse.
2. Yes, you are probably on the wrong side of the fuseholder.
3. The fuse on the ammeter IS an inline fuse holder. One side comes directly from the ammeter and is not fused. That is the side Todd said is feeding the fuel gauge and ignition. The other side is the fused side and is "in line" to the lights.

Let me modify what I just said. I just saw the pictures of your fuse holder, totally different than mine. Anyway, looking at the picture, the terminal on the lower right is the feed in. The terminal on the lower left is the feed out. It should have the ignition and fuel gauge hooked to it. The terminal on the upper right is the fused terminal and should have the lights hooked to it. I now see the problem you are having trying to get the fuse to fit. If you can't find the part that holds the fuse, you can come off that terminal on the lower left with an aftermarket inline fuse holder to power your lights.

Hope that clears things up.

BTW, did you ever find a source for the missing piece?

CG sailor · July 13, 2008, 10:36:30 AM

Pat
I just finished the wiring to the dash. I am still not sure it is correct, not finished with the rest. The wiring diagram I had was very hard to follow and see. I made a copy and color coated the sheet. It may be right or may not. Just a word of caution.

36 Ply · July 13, 2008, 08:44:19 AM

Thanks, Tod,

I have a couple of '36 wiring diagrams, but neither shows a good picture of the back of the ammeter.

The two photos that CG Sailor posted answered my questions about the fuse.

I don't bend as well as I could when I was 21; when I was looking at the rear of the ammeter (upside down with my head behind the dash, with my mini-Maglight), I couldn't see the metal straps that neet the fuse holder; CG Sailor's photos cleared things up for me.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

TodFitch · July 11, 2008, 11:10:28 AM

I am away from my manuals that have wiring diagrams so I can't answer for sure on the 36. However on my 33 the fuse protects everything except the ignition and fuel gauge (powered off the ignition switch). You blow the fuse and you loose the lights (I know this from experience).

36 Ply · July 11, 2008, 10:42:20 AM

Can anyone answer this: If you remove the fuse that is mounted on the rear of the ammeter on a '36 Plymouth, should the headlights, tail lights, ignition, etc., no longer work?

I pulled my ammeter fuse yesterday, to measure it for CG Sailor, and I noticed that the lights and ignition still worked. I'm wondering if they are attached to the wrong post on the ammeter?

I don't understand the concept of a fuse that is not in an "inline" fuse holder. How does the one on the back of the ammeter protect the circuit(s) ?

Regards,

Pat O'Connor