I have a 1974 dodge dart and I don't know if the new ignition switch I bought will fit in the car because the old wires has 8 wires in the connection and the new one has only 6 wires. I need help can someone explain to me
Many plastic harness connectors do have 8 or more ports. And the OEM engineers would use the extra ports for connection of other items/circuits, like the column shift indicator lamp, key buzzer, etc... where they were building a separate assembly like a steering column. Here's another example... Your alternator has 3 wires but that engine harness connector has temp sender and many other wires routed through it. Anyway...
All the ignition switches have 6 terminals where wires could be attached. All aftermarket replacement switches have a wire attached to each terminal. Majority of OEM switches had only 5 wires attached. A large red, a large black, a blue, a brown, and a yellow.
It's my understanding that some vehicles did use that 6th switch terminal/small black wire.