ignition switch??

1983 CJ5 straight 6
Who ever wired this jeep should be hung by a rusty wiring harness. It looks like a Christmas tree. Here’s where the problem is. I guess part of the ignition switch stopped working I get volt-o-meter power I don’t get fuel or oil or water. I get tach and some dash lights. When I turn on the high beams I get the four wheel drive light. To turn the car off I have (the best part) to flip a switch on the dash that the used car dealer said was to the fuel pump. I did some checking and I don’t think the fuel pump is electronic. The switch is connected to the ignition coil!! To even start the car I have to put my finger on the coat hanger looking wire to the left of the steering column and push it up. The wire is connected to the ignition switch and the key cylinder. I Opened some things up and, OH YEA BABY its zip tied to the steering column to lift it up. Will a new ignition switch solve this mess or at least some of it. I wanna tear everything out and put in new wires. If not does anyone got a temp solution for the fuel gauge because I’m flying blind. Thanks for looking

 

When I turn on the high beams I get the four wheel drive light.

The bulb is in the wrong slot.

Can't help with others. Sorry

 

I feel your pain. The best solution ( I know you don't want to hear this) is to start over and rewire the whole thing. I had the same sort of rats nest under my dash when I got my Heep. Painless Wiring (the price isn't painless) has complete harnesses for the Jeep. In the long run, it will greatly reduce the frustration level. Sounds like a new ignition switch is in order too.

 

:iagree: Once you start chasing wires that lead to no where you give up and start ripping the wires out.
There a few other options for a new wiring harnesses also.

 

thanks i would love to do that i'm trying to keep the price under $300 for the wireing harness. quadratec has a harness for 300

 

It's time to appeal to your inner Zen nature of calm and perspective. You can fix the existing harness. Everything that was done can be undone.

Look at the harness one circuit at a time. It's only complicated if you try to comprehend it all at once. Don't be overwhelmed. Try to ignore the mess. Pick one wire and figure out what it does. You can tidy up everything later with tape, wire ties, or loom as you wish.

Also, you need a factory manual that has the correct factory wiring diagram. It will also cover your accessories and components. The FSM is expensive, but an excellent investment.
http://thejeep.com/shop/HOT+SELLERS....html?osCsid=47f0d7dca332096604deace5e15d266d

 

X's 3, Replace wiring.

 

i agree with tmgr...one circuit at a time

 

timgr I was waiting for your reply I've read a lot of your posts you know your stuff. I've started to cut the tape away from the wiring harness and I've found a few fried wires. The ignition switch and a chiltons manual are on their way in. I've got the haynes but i don't like it. if i can get johnny to start up most of the times i turn the key, and get the gas gauge working i can have a daily driver. my flash light bulb blew out so it's beer thirty
Thanks guys if anyone thinks of anything please post i really need a working gas gauge

 

I re-wired my Jeep a few wires at a time, and eventually did the whole thing. It takes patience, but really isn't all that difficult. I happened to have plenty of wire on hand, and just bought the connectors as I needed them. I would pick a circuit or two here and there, and do only those that day. The EZ or Painless kits are probably better in some ways, unless you use high-quality connectors. If you don't go with a kit, my best piece of advice would be to not skimp on your connectors and switches.

 

Would you suggest soldering the connections? Or shrink wrap, or just electrical tape?

 

Soldering with heat shrink gives the least chance for corrosion.

 

IMO solder or a properly installed uninsulated barrel connector are both good. Use heat shrink with melting adhesive on the inside to make waterproof joints.
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...actors_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

 

Vintage Jeeps sells an OEM harness with all the proper connectors on it. Its not cheap, but the color coding is correct per manuals (nice for doing stuff years down the road), you can lead the harness as per manuals and the connectors are correct. I wired the whole Jeep in less than a day, having never done harness installation before.