1976 Dart - ignition switch

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Tool.Man

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I'm trying to find the ACC wire coming from the ignition switch. I have a 1976 all-Chrysler electrical manual. It shows the ignition switch as having an ACC position but does not identify any wire for it. I've checked all the wires coming form the steering column and no wire is hot only in the ACC key position. To make it more confusing, the detent positon on the diagram does not match the detent position of the key. Starting the key full CCW: OFF, ACC, RUN, START. In the diagram starting full CCW: ACC, OFF, RUN, START. Still more confusion, the color code in the manual doesn't seem to match either harness coming out of the steering column. It's tough to probe the wires upside down and in a bind. I could have failed to correctly probe a wire but I definitely attempted every wire.

Has anyone had to make sense of this?

Mike
 
Go to mymopar.com and get a wiring diagram for the dodge or Plymouth as close to your year as possible.

There are differences year to year but.

See if it's any different than what you have
 
If you have the 1976 factory manual then the cover should show the following:
1976
Chrysler
Plymouth
Dodge
Electrical
Service Manual
Is that correct?
Photos of the ignition switch connectors coming out of the column might help.
The diagram in the manual shows the correct positions.
 
Last edited:
The order was always (starting fully counterclockwise): accessory-off-run-start. That is how your car was built. If yours differs, something's upfuсked. That order you describe (off-accessory-run-start) is common in Japanese and European cars, but not American ones. Sounds like your switch is badly hosed or someone's hacked in something that shouldn't be there.
 
townsend said:
If you have the 1976 factory manual then the cover should show the following:
1976
Chrysler
Plymouth
Dodge
Electrical
Service Manual
Is that correct?
Photos of the ignition switch connectors coming out of the column might help.
The diagram in the manual shows the correct positions.
Click to expand...
Correct.
 
slantsixdan said:
The order was always (starting fully counterclockwise): accessory-off-run-start. That is how your car was built. If yours differs, something's upfuсked. That order you describe (off-accessory-run-start) is common in Japanese and European cars, but not American ones. Sounds like your switch is badly hosed or someone's hacked in something that shouldn't be there.
Click to expand...
As I described, the pattern in the book differs from the actual switch which obviously should be OFF, ACC, RUN, START
 
You would expect the radio to be connected to the ACC circuit but it's not which begs the question, what is connected to the ACC circuit? I reviewed the 1976 book and the 1975 diagram at mympar. They are apparently identical as far as the radio circuit is involved. I checked the wire indicated with a voltmeter. It was not hot in the ACC position. Could it be that there actually is no ACC wire?
 
Here are two links from eBay that show the ignition switch wiring for the 76 model. Notice that in 75 and 76 the red and black 12 gauge wires coming out of the column from the ignition have a separate plastic connector. This is different from earlier years. Does yours look like these?

www.ebay.com

NOS 1970-76 Mopar Non Tilt Ignition Switch 3746936 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NOS 1970-76 Mopar Non Tilt Ignition Switch 3746936 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

2nd link
www.ebay.com

NOS 1970-76 Mopar Non Tilt Ignition Switch 3746936 | eBay

<p>NOS 1970-76 Mopar Non Tilt Ignition Switch 3746936. Based on my research this fits most 1970-76 Chrysler Plymouth and Dodge models without tilt wheel. This switch has the 2 wire in a separate plug. Email me any questions Thanks Mark.BT3</p>
www.ebay.com
 
Yes.
townsend said:
Here are two links from eBay that show the ignition switch wiring for the 76 model. Notice that in 75 and 76 the red and black 12 gauge wires coming out of the column from the ignition have a separate plastic connector. This is different from earlier years. Does yours look like these?
Click to expand...
 
slantsixdan said:
No, the actual switch should be ACC-OFF-RUN-START.
Click to expand...
That's what I thought but the key is removable only when rotated fully CCW. On the column there is a little triangle pointer that coincides with the key in the fully rotated CCW position...I've never seen one like this in any vehicle up through the '70s.
 
Have you actually tried to roll the ignition switch back one? I don't remember a triangle pointer but if it lines up and you can pull the key you should be able to roll it back one more step and get ACC.
 
The black wire should be hot in ACC and run. There is a brown wire that is the ignition start circuit, a blue wire that is ignition run, a yellow wire that is the starter solenoid circuit and a red hot wire. There might be some small orange wires as well, that's for the key in light or something.
 
Since you have the 76 electrical manual, look on page 8-262.
The starter and ignition switch connector diagram is absolutely correct.
The connector on the left comes from the dash wiring harness and on the right comes from the ignition switch.
All color codes are right for 1976.
 
There is another possibility...

The switch is damaged and will not allow you to turn it CCW one extra click.
 
DionR said:
The black wire should be hot in ACC and run. There is a brown wire that is the ignition start circuit, a blue wire that is ignition run, a yellow wire that is the starter solenoid circuit and a red hot wire. There might be some small orange wires as well, that's for the key in light or something.
Click to expand...
The black wire you refer to is not hot in the ACC position (rotated fully CCW).
 
Tool.Man said:
The black wire you refer to is not hot in the ACC position (rotated fully CCW).
Click to expand...

Can you take the key out at that point? If you can they you probably aren't in the ACC position, but are instead in the off position.
 
DionR said:
Can you take the key out at that point? If you can they you probably aren't in the ACC position, but are instead in the off position.
Click to expand...
The key comes out as seen in the photo, rotated fully CCW. There are 4-positions.

IMG_4647.jpeg
 
Something is not working properly if you can't turn the key one more position counterclockwise. May have to pull the steering wheel to diagnose further.
 
Tool.Man said:
The key comes out as seen in the photo, rotated fully CCW. There are 4-positions.

View attachment 1716293516
Click to expand...

That is off.

Here is mine in ACC.

20240823_152728.jpg


Note that it is stiff and I had to wiggle the key to get it there. But that's where ACC is.

I meant to check, but my bet is that the "position" you are feeling between off and run isn't a position at all.
 
Sometimes there is wear on the tumblers in the lock cylinder or in the key.
Key will turn the lock cylinder one way but not the other.
 
townsend said:
Since you have the 76 electrical manual, look on page 8-262.
The starter and ignition switch connector diagram is absolutely correct.
The connector on the left comes from the dash wiring harness and on the right comes from the ignition switch.
All color codes are right for 1976.
Click to expand...
It's exactly like the book.
 
Yep, just checked my car a sure enough there is a "position" between off and run. But it isn't anything but a long sweep in the switch, doesn't connect to anything. Even feels like a detent, but I think it is just coming out of the off detent that makes it feel that way.

Wiggle the key and turn it back, that's where your ACC position is.
 
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